What are the Symptoms of Indigestion?
If you are feeling any of these symptoms, you may know that it’s indigestion. Have a look at some of the following indigestion symptoms.
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Gas
- Bloating
- Heartburn
- Acid Reflux
- Stomach discomfort
- Decrease Appetite
Indigestion is caused by medical conditions, lifestyle, and medications. Stress and anxiety can also result in indigestion. Tests to diagnose indigestion include abdominal ultrasound, small bowel x-ray series, CT scan, colonoscopy and MRI of the abdomen.
How to Avoid Indigestion without Medications?
If you want to get rid of indigestion, you must cut down the intake of caffeine which includes tea, coffee, alcohol, and fizzy drinks. Prop your head and shoulders up in bed can stop stomach acid coming up while you sleep. If you are obese, you need to lose weight.
Moreover, if you want to avoid indigestion, make sure to eat 3 to 4 hours before going to bed. Don’t eat spicy, rich and fatty foods. Smoking can be also disruptive and can cause indigestion. Avoid any kind of painkillers such as ibuprofen or aspirin.
What Diseases can Cause Indigestion?
Medications causing indigestion include:
- Aspiring and other painkillers like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Oral contraceptives and Estrogen
- Thyroid medication
- Blood pressure medication
- Pain medications
- Cholesterol medications
- Antibiotics
When it comes to eating food, most of the people don’t care about what to eat and what to avoid. If you are having indigestion problem, make sure to avoid this food.
Dairy Products
Dairy products contain lactose and sugar which is hard to digest. People who are sensitive or intolerant to lactose, bloating and gas would find it hard to digest. If you exceed your lactose consumption, it passes through the large intestine, which can lead to diarrhea. Eating yogurt and hard cheese is acceptable to some extent. You can also go for lactose-free milk available in departmental stores.
Fried Foods and Processed Foods
Fried foods can cause the same problem as that of fatty foods. Most of the fried foods are lower in fiber and take longer to digest. If you are having constipation or diarrhea, make sure to avoid fried foods. Fried foods tend to slow down the emptying of the stomach.
On the other hand, if you have constipation, avoid processed foods. They also lack in fiber which results in irregularities in bowel movements. Processed food also contain artificial coloring and preservatives. Some packaged foods also contain lactose, which can give you gas and worsen any discomfort.
Alcohol
If you are feeling nauseated and consume the alcoholic drink, you might feel sicker than before. Alcohol is toxic and causes disruption in liver metabolism and stomach lining. Drinking too much alcohol can cause indigestion, so make sure to avoid as much as possible.
Caffeine
Caffeine encourages gastrointestinal tract motility and moves content more quickly through your system. An excessive amount of caffeine can give you diarrhea. If you are already suffering from diarrhea, caffeine can only make the digestive problems worst. Moreover, chocolate, soda, and tea are also sources of caffeine and should be avoided if you are facing indigestion.
Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners are almost in every packed food and the most associated with the digestive problem is sorbitol. It is hard to digest sugar which is commonly found naturally in fruits like apples, peaches, and prunes. As soon the sorbitol reaches the large intestine, it develops gas, diarrhea and bloating. If you have diarrhea, make sure to read food labels in order to avoid sorbitol.
If somehow you are concerned about your indigestion and can’t find the proper remedy, make sure to visit Urgent Care Walk-in Clinic. The board-certified doctors will help you in treating indigestion without waiting for long hours or booking an appointment.
