Indigestion (Dyspepsia): Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments
You might have indigestion (Dyspepsia) after eating oily or spicy foods, taking certain medicines or due to an underlying health disorder. Dyspepsia is not a disease but a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
What is Indigestion (Dyspepsia)?
Dyspepsia is a common disorder that affects almost 20% of the population. It occurs when the body has trouble digesting food. It appears in the gastrointestinal tract and causes symptoms like bloating, feeling too full, gas discomfort, and gas.
Occasional indigestion is regular, but sometimes, it happens regularly for months or weeks. This condition can indicate an underlying problem, such as gallbladder disease, ulcers, or gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Indigestion vs. heartburn
Some people often confuse indigestion and heartburn and consider them similar. However, they are two different problems that might co-occur.
Heartburn is more specific than indigestion. It is a burning feeling in the middle of your chest with a bitter taste in your throat and mouth. Heartburn might happen after a big meal or when lying down after eating.
It occurs due to acid reflux when stomach contents, such as digestive juices, acid, and enzymes, start flowing back to the oesophagus. Remember that it is widespread nowadays to get heartburn as part of the indigestion symptoms.
Symptoms of Indigestion (Dyspepsia)
Indigestion (Dyspepsia) can affect your overall digestion and comfort levels. Some symptoms of dyspepsia include:
- Abdominal pain or bloating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Heartburn
- Quickly feeling full while having a meal
- Excessive gas or belching
- Burning sensation in your stomach or oesophagus
- Problem swallowing
- Vomit that is bloody or appears like coffee grounds
- Black stools
- Unexplained weight loss
Causes of indigestion (Dyspepsia)
There are several causes of dyspepsia, including:
Dietary habits: Some eating habits can trigger indigestion and cause problems. Foods that cause indigestion include:
- Fatty and oily food items like pizza, French fries, and hamburgers
- Tomatoes, onions, citrus fruits, and other acidic foods
- Spicy food items with potent spices or hot peppers
- Alcohol, when taken in excessive quantity
- Chocolate due to cocoa and fat components
- Carbonated and caffeinated drinks such as soda, coffee, and tea
Underlying diseases: For some people suffering from dyspepsia, dietary choices might be the partial reason for indigestion. There are several underlying diseases which trigger stomach upset:
- Gastritis
- Diabetes
- Peptic ulcers
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Gallstones
- Celiac disease
- Pancreatitis
- Bowel obstruction
Medicines: Certain medications which cure other health problems might cause indigestion flares. Below-stated are some common medicines which can disturb your stomach:
- Antibiotics
- Opiates
- Steroids
- Aspirin and NSAIDs
- Chemotherapy medicines
Treatments
Several treatment options are available for dyspepsia or indigestion. They help reduce abdominal discomfort, optimise digestion, treat contributing factors, promote healing, and prevent the recurrence of indigestion.
Here are some treatments which you can try to treat indigestion or dyspepsia:
Over-the-counter antacids
Over-the-counter antacids relieve indigestion by neutralizing stomach acid and reducing heartburn or ulcer pain.
Dietary adjustments
The best and most effective way to minimise your indigestion symptoms is to avoid consuming problematic foods.
Stay away from food items which cause stomach discomfort.
By eating smaller portions and reducing the spice, sugar, and fat content of food, you can ease digestion and avoid dyspepsia.
Antibiotics
If your ulcer or gastritis is caused by H. pylori bacterial overgrowth, antibiotics can help remove these microbes and promote quick healing.
Acid blockers
Histamine H2 receptor blockers like Zantac and Tagamet suppress acid production more than antacids.
Proton pump inhibitors, such as Nexium, Prilosec, and Prevacid, block acid release from stomach cells.
Both medicine types promote the healing of peptic ulcers.
Prokinetics
Prokinetics, also known as promotility agents, are prescription medicines encouraging coordinated oesophagal and intestinal muscle contractions and gastric movements and improving digestion.
Some common prokinetics include Domperidone, Metoclopramide and Erythromycin.
How can indigestion (dyspepsia) problems be prevented?
There are specific lifestyle changes which can help you to prevent indigestion problems:
- Make sure adequate chewing
- Reduce consumption of fatty and sugary food items
- Avoid lying down after having food, mainly substantial meals
- Maintain a healthy body weight
- Reduce alcohol consumption
- Consider probiotic and enzyme supplements
- Stay away from smoking
Summary
Thus, indigestion is a common disorder that some people experience after eating trigger foods. You can relieve indigestion by understanding the causes and symptoms, treatments, and small lifestyle changes. Careful eating habits and stress management can also prevent dyspepsia.
