My Vedic Life

• Indigestion is also called dyspepsia or an upset stomach. It is a general term that describes discomfort in your upper abdomen. Indigestion is not a disease, but rather some symptoms you experience, including abdominal pain and a feeling of fullness soon after you start eating.

Causes of Indigestion:

Indigestion or dyspepsia is a disorder in which there may be symptoms of

• The sensation of abdominal fullness without visible distention (bloating),
• Abdominal pain above the navel,
• Burping and belching,
• Nausea with or without vomiting,
• The sensation of fullness after a very small amount of food, and
• Abdominal distention.

Home remedies are used to treat dyspepsia (indigestion)?

• Studies of natural and home remedies for indigestion are few. Most recommendations for natural and home remedies have little evidence to support their use. Several potential remedies, however, deserve mention including:
• Acid-suppressing remedies: The most common cause of dyspepsia is probably gastrointestinal reflux disease (acid reflux or GERD). That may be why remedies such as baking soda, which neutralizes stomach acid, have been recommended. Even if baking soda works, it is more effective (and probably safer) to use antacids in liquid or pill form for this purpose.
• Ginger: Ginger has been demonstrated to relieve nausea. One small study showed it to be ineffective in relieving dyspepsia, but ginger is harmless and worth a try if nausea is a component of dyspepsia.
• Peppermint: Peppermint has been demonstrated to have effects on the function of the gastrointestinal tract; it is among the most potent inhibitors of intestinal muscles. It is effective in another functional disease, irritable bowel syndrome, but there is minimal evidence that it is effective in dyspepsia. Nevertheless, like ginger, it is harmless and worth a try.
• Meals: Eating smaller, more frequent meals.
• Lifestyle changes: Stay away from specific foods and drinks, smoking, and alcohol if they provoke symptoms.

Self Treatment:

• Using antacids may help ease indigestion. Eating smaller meals more often, chewing food thoroughly, losing weight, and avoiding triggers such as fatty foods and carbonated drinks may also help.

Seeking Medical Care: