In the fast-paced rhythm of life, our bodies often bear the brunt of our incessant activities and dietary choices. One common manifestation of this is indigestion, an ailment that can disrupt your daily routine and compromise your overall well-being.
Indigestion, or dyspepsia, is a signal from the body that the digestive system may be out of sync.
What does indigestion feel like?
Indigestion often involves abdominal discomfort because your stomach is encountering difficulties in digesting the food you just ate. Other symptoms of indigestion include:
- Bloating
- Feeling full during or after a meal, suggesting that your stomach is already feeling overwhelmed
- Nausea or having the urge to vomit
- Burping
- Heartburn
What could have caused my indigestion?
Indigestion can happen because of various reasons. It may occur after consuming a heavy meal because your stomach is working double time to digest a large amount of food. Overeating, or even eating too fast, may also lead to dyspepsia.
Other times, indigestion may be the result of stomach acid irritation. When the stomach’s protective lining is weakened, the acid may start to irritate the stomach. This could explain by acid reflux is also experience during a bout of indigestion. When your indigestion has no identifiable cause, doctors may diagnose it as functional dyspepsia.
How do you relieve indigestion fast?
Indigestion often lasts for a few minutes to a few hours since your last meal. If it does not go away, over-the-counter medications may be taken to help relieve symptoms, depending on what is causing your indigestion. Antacids, for instance, may help alleviate acid reflux related to indigestion. If your indigestion is caused by a certain bacteria, your doctor may prescribe you with antibiotics to help.
Lifestyle changes are also vital to avoid indigestion in the future. Eating slowly is often advised to avoid dyspepsia. Fatty and spicy foods are often triggers for indigestion, so staying away from these may help.
If indigestion does not go away, it is best to consult your doctor. If you experience a difficult time swallowing, shortness of breath, or tightness in the chest, visit your doctor right away as this may be a sign of a more serious health condition.
Indigestion is common, but the experience may have unfavorable effects on your day-to-day life. With the right treatment plan, lifestyle habits, proper diet, and exercise, you will be able to overcome indigestion.
General disclaimer
Your doctor will always be in the best position to give the appropriate medical advice for your condition. For suspected undesirable drug reaction, seek medical attention immediately and report to the FDA at www.fda.gov.ph and UNILAB, Inc. at 8-UNILAB-1 or productsafety@unilab.com.ph. Always buy your medicine from your trusted drugstores and retailers.
Sources:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/7316-indigestion-dyspepsia
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22248-functional-dyspepsia
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/indigestion/symptoms-causes/syc-20352211
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/indigestion/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352215
