Indigestion And Its Treatment

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Indigestion is also referred to as dyspepsia and it is the feeling of fullness and discomfort that one normally has during a meal or right after. This feeling normally comes with a burning feeling in the upper stomach of the person. In a number of cases, indigestion is an indication of an underlying medical problem that the person could not be aware of yet. The problems could range from ulcer, gallbladder problems to gastro esophageal reflux disease.

The symptoms of indigestion.

There are a number of indicators that one can use to tell the presence of the discomfort known as indigestion. These include;

  1. Belching and gas
  2. Bloating
  3. Growling stomach
  4. Acidic taste
  5. Abdominal pain
  6. Nausea and vomiting
  7. Burning in the stomach or upper abdomen

Most of these symptoms are more evident and frequent when one is going through stress. Also common with these is heartburn; however the heartburn is as a result of the stomach acids when they rise up the esophagus.

Who is prone to indigestion?

Indigestion is a condition that affects people of all ages and sexes. This is a condition that is very common and can be witnessed several times within a household. Use of drugs that can cause intestinal irritation and excessive consumption of alcohol act as factors that increase the chances of getting the indigestion problem. Abnormalities in the digestive track and other medical conditions like ulcers are equally good aggressors to indigestion.

Causes of Indigestion.

Indigestion can be cause by several factors.

  1. Ulcers
  2. Gastroparesis
  3. Stomach Infections
  4. Aspirin And Many Other Painkillers
  5. Estrogen And Oral Contraceptives
  6. Eating Too Much,
  7. Eating Too Fast
  8. Eating High-Fat Foods
  9. Eating During Stressful Situations
  10. Drinking Too Much Alcohol
  11. Cigarette Smoking
  12. Stress And Fatigue

When one gets to swallow excessive air during the consumption of a meal, he will be increasing the common indigestion symptoms like bloating and belching. There are people who experience what is known as functional dyspepsia. This is an indigestion condition that is not as a result of the factors mentioned above. Women in their late stages of pregnancies also experience frequent indigestion cases. These are however as a result of factors surrounding the pregnancy itself.

Diagnosis of indigestion.

It is important that when one starts experiencing the symptoms related to indigestion, he should see a doctor as soon as possible. This will help both him and the doctor to rule out the possibility of a more serious underlying issue. While at the doctor’s, the individual should ensure that he gives the doctor all the necessary information and description of the condition as he feels it. This is due to the fact that indigestion is a broad condition and diagnosis of the specific issue could prove challenging. One should explain exactly the position of the stomach discomfort.

Several blood tests and ex-ray could help determine the underlying problems that the person may be having. A close examination of the stomach, colon and small intestine could be performed. This is done through a process known as endoscopy.

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