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Indigestion
Overview:
Indigestion is the common term used for many digestive tract problems. The pain of indigestion or heartburn is familiar to most people - particularly after eating a large or rich meal.
Signs and Symptoms:
Indigestion is a term that covers a large variety of assorted problems which include symptoms such as:
* Heartburn and reflux
* Gas or burping
* Abdominal pressure and flatulence
* Mild nausea (sometimes accompanied by vomiting)
* Discomfort on swallowing
* A constant sore throat may also be associated with reflux
Causes and Organs Affected:
The most common causes of indigestion are eating too much food, food that is too rich or difficult to digest, and eating too quickly or whilst under stress. All of these factors can contribute to an imbalance in the stomach's production of gastric acid and digestive enzymes.
Obesity, smoking and caffeine and alcohol intake are major risk factors for chronic indigestion problems (i.e. those that occur frequently over a long period).
Treatment:
Eat lots of fresh foods, particularly kiwifruit, pineapple and paw paw, and take a digestive enzyme supplement if you have eaten a heavy meal.
Drink lots of fluids during the day (filtered water is best), but try not to drink too much with meals, as this can dilute the body's digestive secretions.
Lifestyle Management:
Take time to eat your food slowly and chew it thoroughly. When you eat too fast, you don't chew food thoroughly and often swallow more air, causing heartburn, belching, bloating or excess gas. Additionally, chewing well allows enzymes in the saliva to commence digestion before the food reaches the stomach.