When a person is feeling full or does not feel comfortable in the upper abdomen, then he or she is thought to be suffering from indigestion. In most cases there are no signs of indigestion but in some cases a person will experience belching, heartburn, bloating and nausea. People should know that indigestion is not a disease. Certain experts believe that indigestion and heartburn are closely related, while others believe that that is not the case.
Symptoms of indigestion
Some people may not experience any of the symptoms of indigestion while other may experience certain symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms are abdominal pain, heartburn, bloating, excessive gas, nausea but without vomiting, acidic taste in the mouth, constipation, diarrhea, decreased appetite and growing stomach discomfort.
Causes of indigestion
People need to know that indigestion itself is a symptom of various conditions. Some of these conditions differ from one another quite a lot. However, they are almost all related to a functional problem. Apart from the disease, there are other causes of indigestion like medications and even a person’s lifestyle. There are a lot of diseases that may be the cause of indigestion. However, some are the cause a lot more often than others. Some of the diseases that cause indigestion are ulcers, GERD, esophagitis, gallstones, hiatal hernia, pregnancy, inflammation of the pancreas or the stomach, irritable bowel syndrome, thyroid disease, food allergies, stomach cancer and even depression. Indigestion can also be caused by certain medications like Aspirin and a lot of other painkillers, steroids, estrogen and some oral contraceptives, thyroid medication, medication for the blood pressure, cholesterol medication and pain medications. Lifestyle is also the cause of indigestion and a person should definitely make some lifestyle changes if he or she eats too much and too fast, consumes fatty, greasy and spicy foods, consumes a lot of alcohol, smokes, experiences a lot of stress, anxiety or fatigue, drinks a lot of coffee or exercises intensely right after a meal.
Prevention
In most cases of indigestion, there is no need for a treatment as the symptoms will go away on their own in a few hours. A person should go to the doctor in case the symptoms get worse. There are ways a person can prevent indigestion from occurring. Chewing the food properly is important. Not eating fats is also important. When a person chews, he or she should do it with the mouth closed in order not to swallow air. People should avoid eating spicy, greasy foods, alcoholic beverages, smoking, caffeine and late-night eating. A person should not exercise for at least an hour after eating. If stress or anxieties are the cause, then a person should try meditation.
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