Indigestion Treatment

Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, is a stomach condition, due to which digestive juices are not secreted properly, which leads to high levels of discomfort. The other conditions associated with it are acidity, heart burn, acid reflux, gas trouble, etc. In this article, we will mainly focus our attention on treating dyspepsia, but before that we will also see what are the symptoms and causes of indigestion.

Symptoms and Causes of Indigestion

The most commonly seen symptoms of indigestion are heartburn, loss of appetite, flatulence, belching or burping, discomfort in the upper part of the abdomen and chest and the feeling of sickness or nausea. In some people, it can also cause burning sensation in the chest or abdomen or may be even vomiting. One of the most common causes of indigestion is irregular eating habits. This causes acid levels to build up and eventually indigestion. There are certain foods that are known to cause indigestion. Anti-inflammatory medicines and pain killers often lead to indigestion. Drinking excess alcohol and smoking is also known to cause indigestion. Apart from all the above mentioned causes, stress and anxiety are also known to cause indigestion.

Treatment for Indigestion

Proper care is the key to treating dyspepsia. Many doctors opine, that making small changes to the dietary pattern and lifestyle helps in the treatment of indigestion. Reducing rather avoiding caffeine and alcohol will help in improving digestive complaints. Whenever you make modifications to your diet, it is recommended that you consult your health care professional for the same. Fatty and spicy food should be avoided, when you are suffering from indigestion or if you are prone to indigestion.

Antacids will bring immediate relief to mild to moderate indigestion symptoms. They neutralize the acids in the stomach, which causes the irritation and indigestion. Antacids are available in liquid as well as tablet form. It is not recommended to take antacids with other medication, as they can hamper the work of other medicines. At the same time, it is not advisable to take antacids for a prolonged period of time as they do have certain side effects.

Make it a point to eat at least three hours before you go to bed. Make sure you chew well, when you are eating. At the same time, avoid overeating. Sleeping upright with a pillow also helps in treating indigestion. A number of people suffer from acid reflux, due to indigestion. Using a pillow while sleeping reduces acid reflux.

Let's see what are some home remedies, which can be used. One of the most simplest and well tried method to treat indigestion is to mix a tablespoon of lemon juice in a cup of hot water and drink it before having your meals. This prevents indigestion. An alternative to this remedy is to chew a small piece of ginger root along with black salt before meals. It is advisable to chew it about 10 to 15 minutes before your meals.

Make a concoction of one teaspoon of fresh cilantro juice with a pinch of black salt. Drink this concoction twice a day. This will help in relieving you of indigestion. Herbal tea made from blackberry, raspberry, mint and chamomile is also useful in relieving this stomach condition.

Another simple remedy is to apply mud pack on your stomach. It has a calming effect on the stomach acids. If you do not have a mud pack, you can alternatively use a wet towel abdominal pack. The other alternative is to place ice cubes on the stomach after meals, to cure indigestion. If you are not fond of the cold feeling, massaging your stomach with soy oil mixed with garlic oil will also bring relief from the problem.

Before I conclude, I would like to tell you that the best indigestion treatment is to have regular healthy, nutritious and fresh meals. At the same time, exercise and good and sound sleep also helps to relieve indigestion symptoms.