What Exactly Is Indigestion?

Indigestion is the term that refers to pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen. It is also known by the name dyspepsia. Indigestion pain can afflict individuals from all age brackets and socio-economic backgrounds. This condition is usually caused by the acids in the stomach coming into contact with the mucosa of the digestive system. The mucosa are the sensitive protective lining of the digestive tract. When the stomach acids reach and come in contact with this mucosa it causes the mucosa to break down and deteriorate. Swelling and inflammation then occurs. This is what causes the discomfort and pain of indigestion. This condition is typically brought about by certain foods or liquids that do not sit well with the individual. Sometimes medications or infections can bring on a case of dyspepsia as well. If the individual believes that they are suffering from indigestion, they should contact their medical professional as soon as possible.

How To Know If You Are Suffering From Dyspepsia

Indigestion symptoms are quite varied. They typically are a discomfort or pain in the chest or abdomen. This discomfort usually follows the ingestion of food. While one is eating, they will feel faster than would otherwise be normal. The most common symptoms of dyspepsia are feeling full, or very bloated, belching, and nausea. Mild causes of indigestion happen to everyone at some point in time. The mild forms of indigestion symptoms do not require medications and are really nothing to worry about. In only very rare cases does the condition point to stomach cancer. There are some symptoms that do require the consultation of a physician. Among these is if the individual appears to becoming jaundiced, vomitting, loss of appetite, and black stools. Other serious symptoms are if the pain in the chest radiates to the jaw, neck or arm, sweating, shortness of breath, or chest pain when the individual exerst themself.

Treatments For Indigestion Pain

For mild cases of indigestion symptoms simple changes in diet and lifestyle can bring about cessation of indigestion pain. Cutting back on fatty foods, caffeine, and alcohol are big steps in lessening the pain felt from dyspepsia. It is also suggested that the individual also refrain from consuming large amounts of chocolate or spicy foods. Further, obtaining at least 7 hours of sleep per night will help to cease indigestion pain. For mild to severe indigestion symptoms medications may be necessary. Ant-acids are a first step in combatting indigestion symptoms. The second step in dealing with indigestion is trying H-2 receptor antagonists. Examples of these types of medications are Zantac, Pepsid, and Axid. In some cases antibiotics and prokinetics are quite useful in ceasing indigestion symptoms. Finally, and as a last resort, doctors may prescribe an antidepressant. These medications tend to dull the pain a patient feels so the indigestion pain is not as severe.

What Causes Indigestion Pain?

There are many causant factors for indigestion. These can be as simple as nervousness and smoking, to being as severe as stomach cancer and pancreatitis. Emotional trauma and some infections can also cause an onset of dyspepsia. One of the reasons why doctors recommend diet changes is because carbonated drinks can cause dyspepsia as well as fatty foods, eating too much, eating too fast, and foods that contain caffeine like chocolate, alcohol and coffee. Peptic ulcers, infections, and gastritis have also been the culprits of dyspepsia as well. If the administering physician is unable to pinpoint a cause for the dyspepsia the individual may be sufferring from functional dyspepsia. This is where the stomach has difficulty in accepting and diesting food and passing it to the small intestine.
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