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Natural Cures for Indigestion
How to treat indigestion?
( 6 Apr 2011)
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Indigestion, also known as an upset stomach or dyspepsia, is a very common problem that has affected people of all ages, at some time or the other. It is not a disease or a condition; rather, it is a symptom of certain unhealthy eating habits or underlying medical conditions. While this problem is very common, people could experience indigestion in different ways; people could suffer from nausea, bloating, belching or even all three at the same time.
In some people, indigestion is a one time occurrence, whereas in others, it is a daily problem. Some of the most common causes of indigestion could include overeating, use of certain medication, stress, smoking, excess consumption of chocolate or carbonated beverages, spicy food or greasy food and eating at a fast pace. In some cases, indigestion could also be caused by a more serious underlying condition, such as gallstones, peptic ulcers, inflammation in the digestive system, or even cancer. While this is not a major problem, its symptoms can be quite uncomfortable. Therefore, most people try to control the symptoms by using simple home remedies for indigestion.
Signs of Indigestion
Some of the most common signs and symptoms that indicate indigestion are:
- Feeling full, in spite of eating a small quantity
- Discomfort after a meal, caused by a feeling of being overfull
- Nausea, where a person feels like bringing up
- Pain in the upper abdominal area, accompanied by a burning sensation
- Bloating, which leads to a tight and swollen feeling in the stomach
Since the signs of indigestion could be quite similar to the symptoms experienced for heartburn, not a lot of people are clear about the difference between heartburn and indigestion. However, one of the main symptoms of heartburn is burning pain in the chest, just below the breastbone. Some of the other symptoms that generally accompany heartburn are regurgitation of food, bringing up a sour liquid in the mouth, wheezing, coughing and difficulty in swallowing. Therefore, if the signs of indigestion are accompanied by any of these symptoms, it may be best to consult a doctor for the appropriate treatment options on how to treat indigestion.
How to Treat Indigestion?
There are certain medicines that can be used to treat this problem, but most people prefer to seek natural cures for indigestion and its symptoms. Given below are some of the most common steps and home remedies for indigestion and gas:
- Avoiding unhealthy habits, such as smoking and drinking alcohol
- Consuming 5 to 6 small meals in a day, instead of 3 large ones
- Drink a glass of pineapple juice after every meal
- Eating foods that are light, that is, those that contain less oil and spices. Sticking to a diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables is believed to be better than meat
- Getting an adequate amount of exercise each day, to stimulate the digestive system and improve digestion
- Having plenty of water during the day
- Maintaining a healthy body weight, through a healthy diet and exercise
- Practicing certain yoga asanas, which not only help in improving digestion, but also reduce the levels of stress
- Restricting the intake of beverages and foods that contain caffeine, like coffee, tea, aerated drinks and chocolate
- Sitting up for a couple of hours, after meals; strenuous activities, or lying down should be avoided soon after eating
While the home remedies mentioned above are fairly safe, it is best to consult a doctor, before using any of them. Pregnant women, who are also quite prone to indigestion, should check with a doctor, before using any recommended home remedies for indigestion during pregnancy. There are also different home remedies for indigestion in babies, which can be recommended by health care providers.
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answered by G R on 6 Apr 2011, 2:09:16
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