Acid Indigestion: An Overview
After eating a particularly large meal, you will sometimes feel a discomfort in the stomach or abdominal area, which is probably one of the symptoms of acid indigestion. This typically happens when you eat too much or too quickly. Acid indigestion is usually manifested by different symptoms. In addition to the discomfort, you can also experience excessive belching, bloating in the stomach and heartburn.
Chest Pain
Some cases of acid indigestion may also come with a burning sensation in the chest, which some people might mistake for a heart attack. As a matter of fact, this chest pain does not have anything to do with the heart at all. Instead, it is one of the symptoms of acid indigestion that becomes evident a person lies down immediately after eating, or after consuming large amounts of spicy or acidic foods.
While acid indigestion is very rare for some people and may go away naturally, there are also individuals who experience this condition on a regular basis, and suffer symptoms that may last for a longer period. In some cases, the condition can be so severe that it can cause damage to the stomach lining and the duodenum, which if left untreated can eventually ecome life-threatening. Because of these possibilities, it is imperative that you seek medical advice as soon as you notice the first symptoms of acid indigestion.
Acid indigestion may arise from many different factors but among the most common causes is the intake of certain types of food, such as those that contain a lot of fats, acids, starch, caffeine and alcohol. Studies have also shown that eating too close to bedtime, as well as smoking, considerably increases a person’s risk of suffering from acid indigestion.
For quick relief from this condition, over the counter antacids can work very well. However, it is important to note that these medications contain addictive ingredients, making them unsuitable as long-term treatments. A better alternative would be to make positive changes to your lifestyle and your diet which can help you avoid further occurrences of the condition.
In addition to these lifestyle improvements, experts also recommend the use of other natural means for the prevention of acid indigestion. For instance, instead of using conventional antacids, you can use herbal products. Many of these natural remedies are just as effective as regular pharmaceutical drugs. Furthermore, they do not cause any negative side effects and do not contain addictive substances either. By using these herbal treatments, along with improving your diet and lifestyle, you can stop further instances of the disorder in no time at all.
Stomach Acid, Heartburn and Indigestion Pain
Pain and Causes of Many Gastrointestinal Disorders
Gastrointestinal disorders are varied and they include indigestion, heartburn and upset stomach. Heartburn is caused when the acid in the stomach rising up the esophagus. A visit to the doctor will provide you with a professional diagnosis.
Symptoms of stomach acid, heartburn and indigestion include upset stomach, burning sensation in the upper abdomen, belching, bloating, heartburn, nausea, passing gas, diffuse abdominal pain, and vomiting.
There are prescription and non-prescription medications available to treat stomach acid, heartburn and indigestion. Making a few small changes in your diet can help immensely when treating these types of disorders. It is important to maintain a diary, and take notes of the foods you consume that seem to cause discomfort, and then naturally, avoid those foods.
Stomach acid, heartburn and indigestion is caused by disease in the digestive tract in some people, but it can also be from eating large meals and overeating and eating foods containing too much fat. Many people use digestive enzyme supplements to help ease and heal their digestive system.
Smoking an drinking and using medications that irritate the lining of the stomach, or being constantly stressed, can also cause stomach acid, heartburn and indigestion. The doctor may decide to use xrays of the stomach and small intestine to determine a correct diagnosis.
Stomach Acid, Heartburn, Acid Indigestion or Is It Something Else?
If people suffering from stomach acid, heartburn and acid indigestion have vomiting, severe pain in their abdomen, black stools, blood in vomit, shortness of breath, indigestion pain or discomfort, it may be an indication of more serious disease.
Occasional symptoms of indigestion are common for many people to experience on occasion, but if the symptoms of stomach acid, heartburn and indigestion become more frequent and regular, it may need treatment under doctor’s supervision.
Dietary and lifestyle changes can be made in order to deal with stomach acid, heartburn and indigestion. These include:
- Elevating your head a few inches while sleeping
- Eating plenty of fiber
- Drinking lots of water
- Eating smaller and more frequent meals
- Not lying down immediately after eating
- Losing excess weight
- Avoiding tobacco, cigarettes and alcohol
- Eat at a regular time and not less than three hours before sleeping
- Avoiding stress
- Exercising regularly but not immediately after eating
- Avoiding spicy, fatty, and citrus foods.
A common remedy for stomach acid, heartburn and indigestion is to mix half teaspoon of baking soda in half glass of water and drink it every two hours till the problem subsides. Do not underestimate the importance of healthy eating and regular exercise. Good lifestyle will help you deal with such disorders in the long run.
There are many digestive disorder treatments available including natural heartburn treatments. You don’t have to suffer from heartburn or any stomach disorders.
