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Indigestion is a term used for various upper abdominal discomforts that may be felt after eating. The discomforts may be a wide range of feelings such as bloating, nausea, pain, belching, regurgitation, or heartburn. A quarter of the adult population experiences these discomforts.
Indigestion is not a distinct condition, but may be a sign of a wide variety of underlying conditions such as peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, lactose intolerance, gallbladder disease, appendicitis, medications, pregnancy, or diabetes. Some symptoms of indigestion, which are often overlooked, can mimic a heart attack, which could be deadly. Less serious causes of indigestion include emotional stress and eating too much or too quickly. Indigestion can be brought on by a sensitivity to certain foods such as: - milk
- wheat products
- raw onions
- beans
- cucumbers
- cabbage or
- broccoli
Antacids can often bring relief. However, it is smarter to identify the cause of the symptoms and make lifestyle changes, such as: - avoiding foods you have difficulty digesting, including carbonated drinks
- not smoking
- avoiding alcohol
- relaxing during and after meals
- avoiding getting emotionally upset when eating
- eating slowly and
- eating smaller meals more frequently
Article #4418 Copyright (c) 2002 McKesson. All Rights Reserved. |
