Chronic indigestion is diagnosed when symptoms occur for at least one week per month for several months. It has various causes, including stress and poor diet, and may require medical attention if caused by an underlying disease. Symptoms include bloating, heartburn, and nausea. Treatment includes dietary changes, stress reduction, and medication, but may require further investigation if caused by another condition.
Chronic indigestion is a condition diagnosed when people experience indigestion for at least one week each month, for several consecutive months. It has a variety of causes, many of which are treatable by making changes in behavior and eating habits. There are also disease-related causes of this condition, which is why it makes sense to seek medical help if a person is experiencing chronic forms of indigestion. Doctors can examine symptoms and determine if there is a potential underlying disease, or they can help patients make necessary adjustments to increase symptom-free days.
There are many symptoms of chronic indigestion. Some people automatically feel full when they start eating. Others note a significant increase in gas and bloating, especially after meals. Heartburn in the lower chest can be a symptom of this condition, and other people vomit or feel nauseous after eating. The abdominal area is often uncomfortable and painful, and may be swollen.
People may have several of these chronic indigestion symptoms, or one or two at most. It is important to remember the diagnostic criteria: these symptoms must occur at least seven days a month. A single bout of indigestion that lasts for a day or two is not chronic, but is instead typically classified as acute.
When people see a doctor about this condition, the doctor may ask questions about eating habits or stress level as each episode occurs. In most cases, stress and/or poor diet lead to chronic indigestion. The main offending foods and drinks include foods that are highly spiced or high in fat; coffee, tea or carbonated or alcoholic beverages. Many people are able to stop frequent bouts of indigestion simply through dietary changes.
Stress is also implicated in the creation of this condition and those under high stress may be taught anxiety reduction techniques by a psychotherapist or other type of therapist.
It can take some time for treatment to work, and doctors may recommend the use of antacids or acid-blogging medications to help eliminate some symptoms immediately. Regardless of the cause, dietary changes and stress reduction are important as these aggravate symptoms. Medications help reduce the incidence of the condition, but it is best to try to avoid the incidence through lifestyle changes.
Medicine and lifestyle changes may be inadequate if the condition is caused by something else. Other potential causes of chronic indigestion include use of certain medications such as aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), ulcers, gastrointestinal reflux disease, intestinal problems such as chronic diarrhea, some forms of heart disease, diabetes, or stomach cancer . When people don’t respond to lifestyle changes, doctors can investigate other illnesses through a variety of scopes, scans, and tests. If you have any of these conditions, treatment might help relieve symptoms of chronic indigestion.
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