Heartburn and Indigestion — How to Properly Deal with Them?
November 18th, 2009 by admin
Heartburn and indigestion usually go hand in hand. Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest area which radiates upwards into the throat. It occurs when digestive fluids regurgitate into the throat irritating its lining in the process. This happens because of the weakening of the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) muscle, which normally acts as a one-way valve preventing the flow of food or digestive juices into the throat.
Indigestion, on the other hand, is any condition affecting the digestive system and the digestive process. It usually happens when people eat too much or too fast. Indigestion sometimes happens after eating certain food that is compatible to your digestive system. Additionally, your indigestion could be aggravated by smoking or drinking alcohol. If you don′t get enough sleep or if you are stressed out, indigestion will also likely to occur.
Oftentimes, heartburn and indigestion go together. This is what we call acid indigestion. There are many over the counter drugs available that neutralize the digestive acids and thus easing up the discomfort you feel. However, they may also cause indigestion in the process. This is why some people suffer from both heartburn and indigestion all at the same time.
The use of antacids to treat heartburn neutralizes the acid in the throat and the stomach. But low acidity can also affect the digestive process. The stomach’s ability to digest food is compromised once its muscle is weak.
Symptoms of indigestion:
- Belching
- flatulence
- upset stomach
- abdominal pain
- occasional vomiting
- pain or burning in your upper belly
- nausea
- bloating
- uncontrollable burping
- heartburn
You may seek consultation if you are experiencing the following effects in addition to your indigestion:
- vomiting (throwing up), especially if you see blood in your vomit
- weight loss
- no appetite for more than a day
- shortness of breath
- frequent or intense stomach pain
- black or bloody bowel movements
How can you prevent indigestion?
While some people can eat anything and never get an upset stomach, there are others who are more sensitive to certain food types. If you have problems with particular food, it would be better to limit them or skip them entirely.
Tips to prevent heartburn and indigestion:
- Avoid foods that are high in fats.
- Too much chocolate or too many citrus fruits must also be avoided.
- Eat slowly.
- Quit smoking.
- Give your body ample time to digest food.
Following these steps, however, does not guarantee that you won’t get heartburn and indigestion anymore. Stress and anxiety can also trigger too much stomach acids. The length of time between meals can also be a factor. Longer gap or interval between meals, the stronger your stomach acid becomes.
If you suffer from heartburn and indigestion over a long period of time, your esophagus will get damaged. There are a large variety of medications available to treat both conditions. Healthy diet is important that when treating both disorders. Learning the basic information about these ailments will help you administer the right medication at the right time. But if all these do not seem to work for you then get some professional advice from a doctor′.
Chad Wilson to find more information go to http://www.acidrefluxandheartburnrelief.com Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/heartburn-and-indigestion-how-to-properly-deal-with-them-1474008.html
