INDIGESTION
You might be wondering: "What is indigestion?" Good question!
Indigestion happens when some things in your stomach and intestine go awry. You eat something, your body's natural processes break it down, and all is well. But sometimes there are hiccups along the way. Maybe your body produces too much acid and it makes your stomach hurt. Or maybe you don't have enough acid, which can also make your stomach hurt.
Indigestion happens when digestive acid in your stomach comes into contact with the sensitive lining of your esophagus or throat. You can also get indigestion if you eat too much, too quickly.
CAUSES OF INDIGESTION
First off, make sure you don't have any of the following:
- Swallowed air (like from chewing gum or smoking). This is known as "aerophagia," and it can cause bloating and abdominal discomfort.
- A stomach bug (a bacterial infection). This is likely to cause diarrhea and vomiting, so if you have those symptoms too, it might be a stomach bug!
- A peptic ulcer. This is caused by acid, and you'll know if you have one if you feel pain just below your breastbone.
- Gallstones. Some people feel a sharp pain in their abdomen when they have gallstones.
If none of these apply to you, then what you're probably experiencing is called "dyspepsia" or "indigestion."
Symptoms
The symptoms of indigestion can vary from person to person, but generally include
Feeling bloated
Feeling gassy
Heartburn
Pain in your upper abdomen,
Nausea (feeling like you're going to throw up)
COMMON CAUSES OF INDIGESTION
1. Acidic Food Intake
Indigestion is usually caused by foods that are too spicy or acidic for your stomach's lining, and when this happens, your stomach starts to produce too much acid. This can cause a burning sensation in your upper abdomen, as well as bloating and gas.
Foods that commonly cause indigestion ;
Foods that commonly cause indigestion include spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, and citrus fruits.
Solution
There are a few things you can do to relieve the pain of indigestion.
Try drinking some peppermint tea (it helps with muscle spasms)
Chew a clove of garlic (it has natural antibiotic properties)
You should also avoid eating spicy foods or acidic foods until you feel better.
You might want to try taking an antacid (an over-the-counter medication that reduces the acid in your stomach)
2. STRESS RESPONSE
If you've got indigestion, it probably isn't because of your stomach.
Indigestion is actually caused by the way your brain processes information. It's called a "stress response." When your brain perceives a threat, it signals you to take action. Your heart rate speeds up, your breathing gets shallow, and you feel anxious or scared.
Solution
The good news is that there are ways to stop this anxious feeling from causing indigestion.
Making time to relax: Take five minutes every day to focus on your breathing and let go of any worries or concerns. This will help retrain your brain and make you less likely to respond with stress when faced with a stressful situation.
Exercising: Exercise helps release endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that make you feel good. It's also a great way to burn off some of the anxiety you're feeling and give yourself something positive to focus on instead!
3. EATING FOODS THAT ARE HARD TO DIGEST
One possible cause is eating foods that are hard to digest (like broccoli or corn) or fatty foods in general.
Solution
Luckily, there are ways to combat indigestion before it starts. The easiest way is to prevent it by eating slowly and chewing your food thoroughly. Drinking plenty of water can also help break down food and aid digestion before it even enters your stomach.
THE MOST COMMON CAUSES OF INDIGESTION
Another common cause is overeating—eating more than your body can handle in one sitting. Finally, eating too fast can also cause indigestion—in fact, these two are the most common causes.
Solution
The good news is that there are many ways to treat indigestion and get rid of it.
Eat a few littler dinners all through the day rather than three huge ones. This way, your stomach will already be partially empty when you eat your next meal (or snack), which means that there will be more room for food and less pressure on the muscle valve between your stomach and esophagus (also known as the lower esophageal sphincter).
Avoid eating greasy or fried foods as they can aggravate indigestion. Instead, try to opt for healthy options such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins.
Eat smaller meals more frequently
Drink less alcohol
Don't lie down after meal
OTHER COMMON CAUSES OF INDIGESTION
You had too much soda
Drank your coffee on an empty stomach
Ate something spicy
Had too much fried food
Scarfed down a big meal after not eating for a day.
IMPORTANT TIP TO AVOID INDIGESTION
Trouble digesting your food? It's probably because you're not chewing it enough.
The average person chews their food about two times before swallowing. That's not nearly enough. You should chew your food at least thirty times before swallowing.
BENEFITS OF CHEWING FOOD MORE
Here are the benefits of chewing your food more.
Your stomach will have to do less work, so you'll feel better
Your body will absorb more nutrients, so you'll receive better nourishment
You will be able to taste your food more as you eat it, so every bite will be delicious.
HOW DO INDIGESTION HAPPENS?
You're halfway through your delicious cheeseburger, and you feel a little nauseous. You know the feeling—it's not quite heartburn, but it's not quite indigestion either. Your stomach is upset, and you're starting to wonder if that second slice of pizza was such a good idea…
The truth is, heartburn, acid reflux, and indigestion don't just happen after you eat—they can happen whenever stomach acid comes into contact with the lining of your esophagus. Some foods are more likely to trigger reflux symptoms and it's not always obvious which ones are "safe" or which ones to avoid.
The thing is, eating on the go can mean eating food with lots of artificial ingredients and preservatives (which are totally fine!—but they can be harder on your stomach). Your gut's pretty used to digesting food that has some natural enzymes and fibers in it, so when you introduce something new without those enzymes and fibers, your body doesn't know what to do.
There are things you can do to make your discomfort go away
If you're feeling bloated, try moving around or taking a walk.
If you're feeling gassy, try lying down on your left side for a bit.
Drink lots of water, and don't eat anything for at least the next two hours.
Try herbal tea! Some teas can help calm your stomach down, so try ginger or peppermint tea next time your gut is feeling bad.
Try this HOME REMEDY
If you are facing a problem of indigestion, then use the given remedy.
Ingredients
Black salt
Fennel Seeds
Carom seeds
How to UseTake equal amount if these ingredients and mix it.
Take 1 teaspoon of this blend 2 times a day with lukewarm water.
You will feel relax.
HOW TO AVOID INDIGESTION
Follow the given instruction to avoid indigestion at home
Avoiding spicy or greasy foods
Chewing gum to increase saliva production
Drinking plenty of water
Trying a spoonful of honey
Ditch the soda. If you're drinking soda, switch to water or tea. Soda is bubbly and high in sugar, which can put your stomach into overdrive and cause discomfort.
Take your time eating. This is a great rule no matter what kind of meal it is—but especially if you know you're prone to indigestion. Eat slowly and chew completely before swallowing to reduce the amount of air in your stomach and keep from eating too much at once.
0 Comments