Indigestion (Dyspepsia) is a common health issue that affects many people from time to time. Those with indigestion may feel pain or discomfort in the belly area, often with bloating, nausea, and heartburn. Causes vary from an unhealthy lifestyle, stress, to wrong eating habits, and it can negatively affect daily life quality.
In this article, we'll cover the causes of indigestion, its symptoms, and how to ease it through diet and lifestyle changes.
Symptoms of Indigestion
There are various symptoms that help diagnose indigestion. But many symptoms also happen with other conditions. So, it's important to see a healthcare provider about these symptoms to rule out other issues.
Indigestion symptoms include:
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Belching 'burping'.
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Bloating 'swelling of the belly'.
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Uncomfortable feeling of fullness after eating.
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Pain or burning in the stomach.
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Nausea.
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Eating small amounts of food "early fullness".
Types of indigestion
Functional dyspepsia is diagnosed when no physical cause is found for the symptoms. It can be described as either epigastric pain syndrome or postprandial distress syndrome. But it might not be necessary or helpful to distinguish between the two.
Epigastric pain syndrome is defined as follows:-
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Bothersome stomach pain or burning lasting for a day or more per week over the last three months.
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Symptoms last for at least six months.
Post-meal discomfort syndrome is defined as follows:-
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Uncomfortable fullness after eating, or feeling full so early that the person can't finish a normal meal, or can't do usual activities for three or more days a week during the last three months.
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These symptoms have lasted for at least six months.
Causes of indigestion
It's not clear what exactly causes indigestion. It's called a "functional disorder" because tests show no physical cause for the symptoms. Still, indigestion is thought to come from how the stomach works.
Usually, after eating, the stomach and the diaphragm "the muscle between chest and belly" relax, giving the food space, which is important in digestion processes. digestionFor people with indigestion, the usual muscle changes after eating might not happen as they should.
This can cause indigestion symptoms like bloating, heartburn, or feeling full and stuffy.
How to Diagnose Indigestion
Sometimes indigestion is diagnosed without many tests, especially if symptoms are mild. In that case, medication might be enough to ease the symptoms.
But some people may need tests if symptoms are bad or if doctors want to rule out more serious problems.
Tests for diagnosing indigestion may include:-
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Blood Tests:- Your healthcare provider might ask for a complete blood count (CBC) to check red and white blood cells, plus other tests. Blood test results alone usually aren't enough for a diagnosis. They are used with other tests to rule out more serious issues.
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Breath tests:- Some people with indigestion might also have an infection by the bacteriaH. pylori H.pylori. This is a common type of infection treated with antibiotics. A healthcare provider might order a test for H. pylori if symptoms don't improve after trying certain medicines.
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Endoscopy:- During endoscopy, a tube with a light and camera on the end is passed through the mouth into the stomach. This test lets the doctor see if there are problems in the esophagus or stomach, like ulcers.
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Motility testsTests may be used to check stomach muscles and other organs. These tests aren't easily available and might only be used for people with severe symptoms. These include stomach pressure tests, scintigraphy, CT scans, and wireless motility capsules.
Treatment options for indigestion
Certain types of medicines can treat indigestion. This includes both OTC and prescription drugs. Treatment options might include:
1. Antidepressants
Drugs called antidepressants can affect the nervous and digestive systems. They can help relax involved muscles and ease indigestion symptoms. For indigestion, people usually get lower doses than for treating depression.
2. H2 receptor blockers
These drugs are available with or without a prescription. They work by reducing the amount of acid your stomach produces, These drugs can include:-
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Axid AR (nizatidine)
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Pepcid AC (famotidine)
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Tagamet HB (cimetidine)
3. Over-the-counter antacid treatments
Antacid drugs are available at pharmacies without a prescription. They reduce acidity, so they are usually the first treatment for indigestion, They can include:-
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Alka-Seltzer
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Maalox
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Mylanta
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Rolaids
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Riopan
4. Digestive Motility Stimulators
Motility stimulators might be tried when other drug types don't work well enough. There isn't much proof they work, but sometimes they can help the stomach empty faster.
5. Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
These drugs reduce the amount of acid the stomach makes, which might help some people with indigestion symptoms. Proton pump inhibitors can be prescription or over-the-counter. They may include the following:-
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Prevacid (lansoprazole)
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Prilosec (omeprazole)
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Nexium (esomeprazole)
5. Lifestyle and diet changes
Making lifestyle changes and adjusting what you eat may help reduce or prevent symptoms. A healthcare provider or registered dietitian may suggest these diet changes:-
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Avoid eating spicy, fatty, acidic, and heavy foods.
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Avoid or limit caffeine intake.
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Eat a healthy diet with enough fiber and fruits and vegetables.
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Keep the body hydrated by drinking enough water.
Reasons to see a healthcare provider
Indigestion symptoms are annoying and can hurt, but they usually aren't serious. Still, they look like signs of more serious issues that need to be ruled out.
Reasons you might need to see a healthcare provider include:-
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Black or bloody stools that look like charcoal.
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Blood in the stool.
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Blood in vomit.
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Pain spreading beyond the stomach, especially into the arm.
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Difficulty breathing.
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Unexplained weight loss.
In the end, indigestion is a common issue. Some people find relief with over-the-counter meds. But if symptoms are bad, especially if they affect daily life, other treatments might be needed according to healthcare advice.
