Khim Lim asked:


Many used the terms indigestion and acid reflux interchangeably and to mean the same thing. However, in reality, there are a number of differences between the two conditions. Although acid reflux symptoms are similar to those that you experienced with indigestion, they are more often than not a lot more severe and can last more than a few hours.

In its most serious form, acid reflux is known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). GERD is characterised by pain in the oesophagus and throat where the acid from the stomach causes damage to the lining. These symptoms can often only be relieved with medications and so it is important that anyone suffering from prolonged pain to consult the doctor with little delay.

If left untreated the acid reflux symptoms can become unbearable as the lining of the oesophagus is slowly eroded away by the stomach acid. The worst case scenario is that oesophageal cancer or any of the other serious and potentially life-threatening throat conditions develop which are a lot harder to treat than the initial complaint.

Indigestion is often thought to be a milder version although this is not technically true. Some of the symptoms are similar however indigestion has a number of symptoms not experienced in acid reflux and vice versa. For example, one of the most common symptoms of indigestion is gassy episodes and often these episodes are felt by sufferers of true acid reflux. Indigestion sufferers may also have an uncomfortable feeling around the chest and shoulder area that is not relieved by burping.

If you over-eat or eat too quickly, there is a good chance of getting indigestion. Basically, you have just bombarded your stomach with food and acid is produced in large quantities. Acid reflux however is caused when the sphincter at the top of the stomach is weakened and the stomach acid is allowed to travel up the oesophagus and often into the throat. Because of different causes, you feel the major symptoms of the two conditions in different parts of the body; that is, the chest in indigestion and the throat/oesophagus in acid reflux.

Whether you are having indigestion or acid reflux, you are likely to experience pain and a great deal of discomfort. The good news is that both can be managed with changing your eating and lifestyle habits. Making a few changes can help you to alleviate the pain that accompany their symptoms. Where you experience extreme pain, despite making these lifestyle changes, you should see a doctor quickly.



Floyd

Corwin Brown asked:


Soda crackers are an old folk cure that actually works. Soda crackers (preferably unsalted) are bland, they digest easily, and they absorb stomach acid. They also contain bicarbonate of soda and cream of tartar, which neutralize the acid. Tip: You know that package of soda crackers they always give you at the restaurant that you leave on the table? From now on, take them with you. These come in handy when you’re plagued by heartburn and can’t seek immediate relief.

Apple honey is a simple remedy that will neutralize stomach acids. Peel, core, and slice several sweet apples. Simmer with a little water over low heat for three hours until the mixture is thick, brown, and sweet to the taste. Refrigerate in an airtight container and take a few spoonfuls whenever you have the need.

Every 3 to 4 hours drink water with 2 to 3 drops of mint essence in it. Massage your stomach with a mixture of 2 to 3 drops of garlic oil and half a cup of Soya oil. Ginger tea after meal promotes digestion. Herbal tea prepared using blackberry, raspberry, mint and camomile is effective for indigestion. Take one glass of honey and lemon juice, both mixed in equal quantity. For instant relief add some baking soda to one glass of water and drink it.

Herbal remedies for acid reflux include chamomile, meadowsweet, slippery elm, cancer bush, fennel, catnip, angelica root, gentian root, ginger root and other botanicals, including aloe. Slippery elm was used historically by native peoples to treat stomach upset, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn and other digestive complaints. Fennel and gingerroot were also common “folk remedies” for the relief of indigestion.

Taking plain soda water gives immediate relief from symptoms of gas, distended abdomen and acidity.

To relieve pressure at night, use blocks to raise the head of the bed frame at least 6 inches. This will lessen the pressure on the stomach and prevent stomach contents from moving into the esophagus. Wait a couple of hours after a meal before lying down. Sleep on the left side of the body, the stomach is lower when lying on the left side.

It relieves gas and stomach cramps. Ginger in tea or tablet form relieves gas and reduces bloating and pain. A tablespoon of cinnamon water, taken after an hour after meals, relieves flatulence and indigestion. Ground cardamom seed mixed with ginger, cloves and coriander is an effective remedy for indigestion. Ground cardamom seed mixed with ginger, cloves and coriander is an effective remedy for indigestion. Slippery elm bark in tea or tablet form helps form a protective coating in the stomach. Aloe vera gel helps soothe the stomach. Charcoal absorbs medications and should not be taken within two hours of taking any medicine.

Papaya (Fruit and Leaves) While papaya is not known as a herb, its plant has a surprising potency in combating digestive disorders and calming down a disturbed gastrointestinal tract. Its powerful enzyme, papain, helps to breakdown complex proteins, reducing the digestive load on the stomach.

Mint. An ancient medicinal herb, mint is a cooling diaphoretic that relieves indigestion, gas or colic, and heartburn. It can also calm nausea and vomiting. The menthol in mint appears to soothe the smooth muscle lining of the digestive tract. Some studies show peppermint also may help to prevent stomach ulcers and stimulate bile secretions.

Eating right and in the right portions can help prevent the onset of acid indigestion, but sometimes the food variety is too good to pass up. During those times preparing to experience acid indigestion can also help provide relief when it happens and not after hours of unneeded suffering.

The follicle is depression that penetrates into your dermis, the second layer of skin. This is where all the hair-growing action takes place. Once you understand this, you can see the basic flaw in many hair loss remedies. A hair loss product that you apply directly to your scalp has little chance of penetrating down to your dermis, where all the new hair growth takes place.



Harold

Khim Lim asked:


Indigestion is a very common complaint. Indigestion symptoms can range from very mild to severe. Most people take an over the counter indigestion remedy to relieve the pain and discomfort that they are feeling. Here a couple more ideas that you can use for indigestion remedy.

Stress is a major trigger to many common illnesses including indigestion. When you lead a hectic lifestyle, you are likely to be eating while on the go, eating too quickly or eating the wrong types of convenience foods. These can all result in a bad case of indigestion for which a serious indigestion remedy will be required. In addition, when a stressful event makes you nervous and edgy you will often notice that your stomach churning aways. Your stomach becomes very stimulated during stressful situations.

Although an indigestion remedy can be consumed to settle the stomach, learning to deal with the stress of the situation helps a lot more. You will depend less on your bag full of your chosen indigestion remedy which you have to bring with you everywhere you travel. You can learn breathing techniques and other relaxation methods that will calm the nervous system and stop the stomach from producing huge amounts of acid.

Another major cause of indigestion is a lack of quality sleep and rest. Being continually tired and fatigued can create havoc within your body, including the digestive system. The stomach gets confused when you eat at irregular intervals or late at night and so produces harmful acid when it should be resting. Although it would be easy to get treated with a simple indigestion remedy, a better option is to eat sensible meals at sensible times of the day.

Indigestion is caused by an excess of stomach acid and so anything that stimulates the stomach to continue producing the acid should definitely be avoided. Two such stimulants are alcohol and nicotine. Alcohol is naturally acidic and so this just adds more of the harmful substance i.e. acid to the already afflicted stomach and oesophagus. Nicotine on the other hand contains hundreds of chemicals which dry out the throat and make the lining of the walls particularly vulnerable to the stomach acid. This can result in hoarseness, soreness and if left untreated for a period of time one of the more serious conditions which can be lethal, most noticeably oesophageal and throat cancer.

It will be easy to turn to medication each time you need an indigestion remedy. However, its overconsumption can lead to other side effects. Hence, if you find yourself experiencing indigestion symptoms continually, it is best to work out why this is happening in the first place and make changes appropriately.



Lorraine

peterhutch asked:


Indigestion is a common problem. It may be triggered by eating particular foods, or drinking wine or carbonated drinks. It may also be caused by eating too fast or by overeating. Some people may find that spicy foods, high-fiber foods, fatty foods, or too much caffeine can all make this problem worse. Symptoms may be worsened by anxiety and depression.

“Indigestion” refers to any number of gastrointestinal complaints, which can include gas (belching, flatulence, or bloating) and upset stomach. “Heartburn” refers to a burning feeling that can be caused by stomach acid regurgitating into the esophagus from the stomach, by gastritis (inflammation of the lining of the stomach), or by an ulcer of the stomach or duodenum (also called peptic ulcer). “Low stomach acidity” refers to the inability to produce adequate quantities of stomach acid that will affect digestion and absorption of nutrients.

A variety of disorders can cause symptoms of indigestion, including ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and less commonly, cancer. In about half of cases brought to a doctor’s attention, however, no identifiable underlying problem can be determined; doctors refer to such cases as “functional dyspepsia.” Many different medications are available to treat indigestion, even when the underlying causes cannot be identified.

Indigestion is the term used to describe pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen or chest after meals. The medical term for this is dyspepsia. Sometimes it is also used to describe a distinctive burning feeling in the chest, known as heartburn. Most people have suffered from indigestion after a large meal at some time, and up to one in four adults suffer from heartburn each year.

Causes

Indigestion might be caused by a disease or ulcer in the digestive tract. However, for many people, indigestion is caused by eating too much, eating too quickly, being tired, drinking too much caffeinated beverages, eating high-fat foods, or eating during stressful situations. Smoking, drinking too much alcohol, using medications that irritate the stomach lining, can also cause indigestion or make it worse.

Due to all these reasons the food does not get digested even if it has been taken at proper time and wholesome as well as light to digest. The common symptoms of indigestion are stasis of food in the stomach, malaise, headache, fainting, giddiness, stiffness in back and waist, yawning, body ache, thirst, fever, vomiting, griping, anorexia and improper digestion of the food.

As the adage goes, prevention is better than cure, the occurrence of indigestion could easily be prevented when the food intake is monitored. Monitoring food does not only require a person to check the food contents or nutritional values of the food but even the time of eating and the amount of food. It is still better to avoid the foods or situations that can cause indigestion. Smokers can be relieved when smoking is minimized or quitted. Exercising just after eating is also not recommended as it also causes indigestion.

Precautions

Fasting till the agni is proper and then giving manda, peya, vilepi till it is restored back to normal should be done. The diet should consists of old rice and light vegetable soup of spinach with warm water. Avoid all heavy and fried foods and cold drinks. Excess sweet, milk and its products which are heavy for digestion and meat of animals.



William

Steven A Johnson asked:


Indigestion is often a sign that there are other problems in the body like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gallbladder disease, or ulcers, rather than it being a condition or disease of its own. Indigestion is a reoccurring pain that is persistent and in the middle of the abdomen.

Symptoms of indigestion include burning in the stomach, stomach growling, nausea, vomiting, belching, gas, acidic taste in mouth, bloating, and abdominal pain. Most often people get a burning feeling in the chest called heart burn. All of these symptoms may worsen when stress levels increase.

Everyone can get affected by indigestion, even children and elderly. It’s a very common problem; it is mostly common among alcoholics and drug users. There are many causes of indigestion though, not just substance abusers get indigestion. Ulcers, stomach cancer, stomach infections, IBS, and thyroid disease can all cause indigestion as well. Even certain medications can cause indigestion, some of these include, aspirin, estrogen and birth control, steroid medications, antibiotics, and thyroid medications can all contribute to causing indigestion.

Eating to much food can factor in indigestion. Stress levels and fatigue can cause it as well. Swallowing excessive air while eating and drinking and pregnancy can be causes as well. Indigestion is not caused by to much stomach acid in the body and not every can find a known cause for there indigestion.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, other wise known as acid reflux or GERD, is a condition where the liquid content in the stomach backs up into the esophagus. It is a chronic condition and it normally lasts the entire life of the person. Most often the reflux occurs in the middle of the day when the person is standing or sitting upright.

Gravity, swallowing, and saliva are protective to the esophagus but this only works if the person is in the upright position. When lying down say at night sleeping gravity is not in effect, people don’t swallow while they are sleeping, and the amount of saliva produced is decreased. So at night when the reflux occurs the acid and contents are going to stay in the esophagus longer causing more damage to it.

Causes of acid reflux are complex and in most cases has many causes put together to cause the disease. Most people that have acid reflux however, produce large amounts of stomach acid. Some things that can contribute to it are the lower esophageal sphincter, hiatal hernias, esophageal contractions, and emptying of the stomach. Symptoms of acid reflux are heartburn, regurgitation, and nausea. More severe complications can arise from not treating acid reflux. Ulcer, strictures, barrett’s esophagus, asthma, inflammation of the throat and infection in the lungs can all happen.

Changing eating habits can help to treat GERD. Avoiding things like peppermint, chocolate, alcohol, and caffeine can all help. Fatty foods are not good either. However, chewing gum can actually help treat acid reflux, the chewing of gum can stimulate production of saliva and increase swallowing. After swallowing saliva it neutralizes in the esophagus. Antacids can help as well; they neutralize acid in the stomach so that there isn’t any acid to reflux. There is also foam barriers and surgeries that can help in really severe cases.

Another thing that can help to treat acid reflux and indigestion is Acid Reflux and Indigestion Tea by Bell. It makes a soothing and relaxing action in the stomach that promotes good digestion and relieves abdominal pain as well as gastrointestinal tract spasms. It is also an antacid. It can also prevent bloating, promotes digestive enzymes, prevents cramping, stomach pain, and reduces inflammation in the digestive system.

Acid reflux and Indigestion Tea is all natural and safe to use, some of the ingredients in it are anise seeds, fennel, chamomile, dill, cumin, peppermint, ginger, sage, and orange peel. Acid Reflux an Indigestion Tea can be found at Alterative Health Supplements.



Jill

mohamad ali asked:


Indigestion normally happens when the food that you consume is improperly digested and therefore cannot be fully absorbed into the body cells. The foods you eat usually consist of carbohydrates, protein and fats. Ideally, carbohydrates are broken down into simple sugars like glucose; proteins are broken down into amino acids while fats are broken down into its acids and glycerol.

The role of digestion is undertaken by the digestive enzymes. Your body produces about ten liters of digestive juices daily. However if these enzymes are insufficient, indigestion sets in. The symptoms of indigestion include abdominal discomfort or pain, bloating or gas, heartburn, nausea and sometimes vomiting.

Other causes of indigestion are varied. Sometimes indigestion can be due to ulcers and acid in the gullet but some people are eventually found to have a disorder affecting other parts of the digestive system, including the gallstones or the irritable bowel syndrome. Gallstones are cholesterol or calcium salts deposits that form in the gallbladder or bile ducts. The presence of the deposits can also cause abdominal pain, indigestion, diarrhea or vomiting. However, for most cases, indigestion is nothing to worry about. The largest causes of indigestion still center on diet.

Most treatment of indigestion include the use of antacids medications aimed at removing the symptoms without action to treat the cause. Sodium bicarbonate preparations are the most commonly used antacids. However, their excessive use can cause an imbalance of the acid alkali equilibrium, creating the state of alkalosis. If this condition is sustained with a substantial consumption of calcium in the form of milk or antacid, it can cause irreversible kidney damage.

To treat the dietary causes of indigestion, you need to take heed of the following:

1.       Stomach acid combines with pepsinogen to form the powerful enzyme called pepsin which breaks down protein into tiny particles for absorption. However, the production of stomach acid is dependent on the sufficient intake of zinc. Thus you need to take zinc supplement to help overcome indigestion.

2.       Take a digestive enzyme supplement to assist in the digestion of food. You can take this supplement up to a month provided you also take a daily dose of a multi vitamins and minerals tablet. Vitamins and minerals are necessary for the production of the digestive enzymes.

3.       Do not rush through your meals, and chew your food thoroughly. Chewing will stimulate the secretion of salivary amylase, breaks down food into smaller particles for better exposure to enzymatic digestion.

4.       Avoid stress while eating. Stress will inhibit part of the nervous system that is responsible for normal enzymatic activity and gastric motility.

5.       Avoid refined carbohydrates, strong spices, salt and sugar as these will cause a rapid secretion of gastric acid and irritates the delicate mucous membranes.  Add in green vegetables to your meals to maintain the acid alkali balance.

6.       Do not take any liquid with solid meals as the liquid will dilute the action of digestive enzymes.



Russell

Joy Healey asked:


s no need to suffer from the pain and embarrassment that indigestion symptoms can bring.

Common symptoms include heartburn and belching. If stomach acid comes up into the throat, it can cause a burning sensation and great discomfort behind the breastbone.

Good digestion is essential for optimum health. If you do not digest your food correctly it cannot nourish you.

Acid reflux often occurs with hiatal hernia, a condition in which the stomach pushes upward through an opening in the diaphragm and into the thorax.

Be sure to check your symptoms out with your GP, but if he can find nothing sinister, following these dietary and lifestyle recommendations may eliminate your problem:

1. At the first sign of heartburn, drink one or two large glasses of water. This relieves heartburn by washing the acid out of the esophagus.

2. Even if you are not thirsty, drink a large glass of water every three hours during the day.

3. Eat several small meals daily.

4. Drink freshly squeezed juice made of equal parts of apples, carrots and beetroot.

5. Eat plenty of fiber-containing foods.

6. Do not consume spicy foods, and do not take enzyme supplements that contain hydrochloric acid (HCl).

7. Some foods, such as beans and peas, are well-known for causing wind. Avoid these.

8. Avoid fats and fried food that delay digestion, prolonging the stomach’s emptying time. Also avoid coffee, tea, alcohol, colas, and smoking.

9. Avoid cows milk products, red meat

10. Avoid refined carbohydrates (’white’ products) – choose wholemeal instead.

11. Don’t do any heavy lifting and bending. Give the stomach at least two hours to empty before exertion. Bend from the knees, not the waist, to avoid abdominal pressure.

12. Make sure your clothes aren’t too tight round your waist.

13. Avoid becoming constipated and straining during bowel movements.

14. Don’t eat for at least three hours before you go to bed. If you are regularly bothered by indigestion during the night, try raising the head of your bed six to ten inches.

15. Do not lie down during the day if you are bothered by heartburn. Keep stomach acids in the stomach by sitting or standing.

16. Be sure to check with your GP or physician if you have regular indigestion problems. The symptoms could mask a more serious problem.

17. Ginger tea is soothing.

18. Allergenic foods may magnify the symptoms and delay healing. If you avoid foods to which you are intolerant, you may find your symptoms vanish. Check for food intolerances.

19. Acid reflux can also be caused by other factors. for instance, smoking or obesity.

20. Check for candida.

Instead of spending money on over-the-counter indigestion remedies, use the above tips, follow a healthy eating plan and watch the improvement in your indigestion symptoms.

Herman

Teresa asked:


I am having stomach trouble often and cannot decide what to eat.
By stomach trouble, just indigestion, and acid reflux, I to drink coffee, but don’t eat anything spicy.

Scott

Kathryn Whittaker asked:


Living with acid reflux can be hard enough, but when you add other problems to that, it can be downright life altering. There are some reflux sufferers who also have problems with gas and indigestion, and those problems mixed with acid reflux are enough to make anyone miserable. You may not think they are related, but there are times when gas indigestion problems are directly linked to your acid reflux, or are aggravating your condition.

In the case of gas, it might be making your reflux worse, or might even be the cause of it. When food sits in the stomach for too long, it begins to break down but does not necessarily move through the digestion tract quickly enough. That creates gas in the stomach and can put undo pressure on the muscle between your stomach and your esophagus that is meant to stay closed to prevent reflux. When opened, or even pushed open repeatedly by excess gas, you run the risk of having acid splash up into your esophagus.

When it come to indigestion, you may think it is just a natural part of acid reflux, but that might be related to the gas problem you are experiencing. Gas indigestion problems can feel much like acid reflux symptoms, but are more likely the cause of your reflux. All of these things go together to make you feel very uncomfortable.

Some sufferers think that they are producing too much stomach acid and that is the root of all of their problems. However, what most people don’t realize is that as you age, you actually produce lower amounts of stomach acid, and that may be what is at the root of your gas indigestion problems. When there is not enough acid, food is not digested as quickly and can not move through your system. Instead, it sits in the stomach producing excess gas as a result. It’s a vicious circle.

If you think that gas indigestion problems might be what a concern for you, there are a few things you can do. One is to take a digestive enzyme supplement. Digestive enzymes aid digestion and can help food move through your system in a timely manner. That can help eliminate many of the problems associated with gas building up in your stomach that makes acid reflux worse. Some acid reflux sufferers suggest having apple cider vinegar diluted in water fifteen to thirty minutes before a meal as a way of balancing out your digestive system.

You can talk with your doctor about digestive enzymes, and modifications to your meals to see if slow digestion might be the root of your gas indigestion problems.



Josephine

Jessica Dale asked:


 

There are many common causes of indigestion, although there are a few that stand out above the rest. In this article I plan to reveal to you exactly what these causes are and what you can do to begin eliminating them from your life. It’s a good idea to understand that in many cases it is the food itself you are eating which is causing the problem, although many would like to believe it is something else.

 

Why Do I always Have Indigestion?



 

Overeating: Many times the cause of gas, bloating and cramping from eating food is simply the result of overeating. You should never eat until you feel stuffed, in fact it has been said that you should actually still be somewhat hungry after a meal. The reason for which is that your brain actually has to catch up when you eat to tell you the signals of when to stop, so you can very easily eat more food in 30 minutes than your body would like, and the indication is only given when its too late.

 

Drinking Liquids with Meals: Although society has a habit of training people to believe they should drink with their meals, this in fact puts great strain on your digestive process. The stomach needs to produce stomach acid in relation to what you eat, if you drink liquids this only further dilutes this acid and forces your body to overwork. In many instances you will actually not digest your food properly as a result.

 

A Lack of Digestive Enzymes: Some people do not produce enough digestive enzymes, however the reason for which is commonly the cause listed below.

 

Candida: As mentioned above this condition can cause lowered digestive enzyme secretion, but that is only the beginning. Candida exists in an estimated 90% of the population however only a subset will experience symptoms because of it. Its symptoms can range from diarrhea, constipation, chronic gas and much more. It actually causes emotional disorders, difficulty concentrating and even auto-immune conditions such as allergies and asthma. It’s been shown that if it is not the source cause of a health problem in most cases it is connected in some way.

 

Candida Causing your Indigestion? Take our FREE Candida Test, Find out HOW to Eliminate your Digestive Problems for GOOD by clicking http://www.howtocurecandida.com



Franklin