The perfect indigestion cure
Indigestion is almost always a sign of a more serious, underlying health problem, so finding an indigestion cure really requires that you get the original problem treated. However, there are plenty of things you can do to help solve indigestion while your doctor tries to figure out what’s causing it.
Symptoms and causes of indigestion
The most common symptoms of indigestion are gassiness, bloating, nausea and vomiting, and abdominal pain. There are many things that can cause indigestion, including some types of medication, some lifestyle choices, and a variety of health problems. Ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, gastroparesis, and GERD are just a few of the most common causes of indigestion. Finding an indigestion cure is directly related to treating the original cause of the problem, so it’s important to see a doctor for help in determining what it is.
Avoiding indigestion
Although long term relief for indigestion depends on getting the underlying problem diagnosed and treated, there are a few things you can do to avoid indigestion completely. The easiest changes involve the timing of your meals. Try to eat four or five smaller meals instead of three large meals because this will naturally reduce the amount of food that’s in your stomach at one time.
You also might consider drinking your liquids after your meals instead of during them. This will allow your food to settle at the bottom of your stomach instead of floating all around and in between the liquids you drink. Also chewing with your mouth closed will reduce the amount of air that gets into your stomach. This, in turn, will give the food all of the space in your stomach instead of whatever is left after you swallow a bunch of air. Also try not to talk while you’re chewing food and eat slowly. Slow and steady wins the race when it comes to eating!
Quitting smoking will also help cut down on indigestion, as will cutting back on alcoholic beverages and avoiding spicy foods. Also try not to teat too late at night because lying down soon after a meal can prevent the food from being digested.
Quick fixes for digestion
There are also a few things you can do to temporarily relieve indigestion. Popping an antacid like Alka-Seltzer can really work wonders on indigestion. If it continues to be a problem, then doctors may prescribe a medication to help you with indigestion, even though it is a symptom of an underlying problem. H2 blockers like Zantac are available over the counter, and they help reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces. Another class of drugs that your doctor might prescribe is a proton pump inhibitor. This type of drug is stronger than the H2 blockers, and it’s often prescribed to help people who are suffering from GERD, which is basically extreme acid reflux.
If the first two classes of drugs don’t work, then doctors may look to prokinetics, which are a kind of drug that helps people whose stomachs empty too slowly.