Indigestion can cause pain and bloating due to reflux, ulcers, food allergies, overeating, and stress. Treatment includes medication and diet modification, and severe cases may require surgery. Stress can also contribute to indigestion and requires coping techniques and medication.
Indigestion, which is the inability to digest food, can cause pain and bloating if not properly treated. The most common causes of indigestion are reflux, ulcers, food allergies or overeating, and stress. Medications and diet modification are often prescribed to reduce or prevent indigestion symptoms.
Reflux, also known as dyspepsia, is a condition that causes bloating, heartburn, belching, gas, and acid regurgitation, and can negatively affect a person’s ability to digest food properly. Severe indigestion can also be diagnosed as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which occurs when stomach acids back up into the esophagus and cause heartburn. A doctor can prescribe an indigestion remedy such as prescription antacids. If the situation is severe enough, surgery may be needed to strengthen the flap that leads from the stomach to the esophagus.
Another major cause of indigestion is stomach ulcers. When there is too much acid produced by the stomach, a buildup occurs and the lining can become damaged. Sores form that cause pain both in the abdomen and in other parts of the digestive tract. Ulcers are often found in patients who also suffer from reflux, and the combination causes pain and heartburn.
Food allergies and overeating are the most common causes of indigestion. When you consume too much food in a short period, your digestive tract has a hard time breaking down the food. An uncomfortable feeling of fullness can result, and excessive belching or gas are also common symptoms. For food allergies, the digestive tract does not contain the enzymes needed to break down food into particles small enough to use for fuel. When this occurs, the body is unable to absorb the proper nutrients from food, and the digestive tract upset that occurs can cause diarrhea.
If food allergies or overeating are causing a patient’s indigestion, the doctor may request a change in diet. Foods that aggravate indigestion symptoms are eliminated and replaced with more digestible foods. Smaller, more frequent meals are recommended instead of three large meals a day. By eating smaller meals more often, the digestive tract doesn’t get overwhelmed.
Stress is one cause of indigestion that can be the hardest to control. When a patient suffers from a high amount of stress for extended periods of time, it can manifest with indigestion and other physical symptoms. Once diagnosed, doctors often suggest the patient find ways to de-stress through coping techniques and medications.
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