Causes and risk factors
The stomach produces acid which helps in digestion of food. At times this acid irritates the lining of the stomach leading to indigestion. Certain factors can trigger indigestion and these are stress and anxiety, excess intake of alcohol, tea, coffee and smoking. Overeating or eating high rich fatty food in excess quantity. Certain medications can also trigger indigestion. A common among them are certain antibiotics, Oral contraceptive pills and thyroid medications. Indigestion can be a symptom of underlying diseases like gastro esophageal reflux, hernia, gallstone, irritable bowel syndrome, thyroid diseases, and stomach cancer etc. Indigestion can also be experienced during pregnancy. Sometimes indigestion is caused due to some unknown reasons; it is not related to any of the above mentioned causation. This type is known as functional indigestion. In such type of dyspepsia abnormal muscle motility occurs.
Symptoms
The patient usually comes up with complaints of feeling of fullness or heavy feeling abdomen. It is specially felt in upper abdomen. The patient can also complain of pain or burning sensation in upper abdomen. There occurs sour or rancid eructation. Acidic taste is felt in the mouth. Nausea and Vomiting and flatulence are the associated symptoms seen.
Investigations
The diagnosis is done on the basis of the symptoms narrated by the patient and physical examination. Certain investigations are advised by the doctor to rule out the underlying cause’s .Barium meal X- ray, ultrasonography of the abdomen and endoscopy can be done. Certain routine sets of investigations like routine blood and urine test, stool test and breath test can also be advised. If required CT scan and MRI of the abdomen can also be advised.
Treatment
Treatment comprises of finding out the underlying cause. Appropriate treatment measures are then adopted. Medications like antacids or proton pump inhibitors are started. Certain measures which needs to be adopted are replacing large heavy meals with small and frequent ones, having dinner at least 2 hours before bedtime. Identify and avoid things that triggers indigestion along with limiting the intake of fatty and rich food.
Other modes of treatment:
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating the complaints. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. Similarly the ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbal medicines and synthetic derivates are also found to be effective in combating the sufferings.
