How Long Does Indigestion Last
Because indigestion is a symptom and not a cause, the outlook depends upon resolving the underlying cause:
- If indigestion is caused by lifestyle habits, the prognosis is good. Prevention of the lifestyle cause can often resolve the symptoms and cure your indigestion.
- If indigestion is caused by medications, talk to your healthcare professional about changing medications to ones that do not cause indigestion. Never stop taking the medication without the advice of your doctor.
- If indigestion is caused by a disease or medical condition, the prognosis is varied and dependent upon the resolution of that condition. Some conditions such as ulcers, GERD, and gastritis respond readily to medications. Conditions such as food poisoning or pregnancy are self-limited and symptoms should decrease over time. Hernias and gallstones, for example, usually require surgery, and the associated indigestion should resolve post-operatively.
- Other conditions are difficult to treat or do not respond well to medication such as pancreatitis, gastroparesis, depression, and cancer. Treatment of these conditions may involve several methods including lifestyle changes, medications, specialist care, and/or surgery.
Why Are Menopause And Indigestion Related
Estrogen has multiple effects on our gut. It can help to stimulate mucus secretion for easier digestion, protect our gut from acid, and works with progesterone to regulate gut muscle movements. Hormone levels fluctuate and decline significantly in menopause. As their protection fades, we can start to experience digestion problems.
Another theory of why menopause and indigestion may be related is that some researchers believe that melatonin deficiency along with declining estrogen levels might cause indigestion in menopause .
Stress can be another enemy of gut health and can certainly impact our menopausal symptoms. Many women I speak to say that stress can be challenging to manage.
According to CarersUK out of the 6.5 million unpaid carers in the UK, 58% are women and are more likely than men to be providing around the clock care. Women aged 45-54 are also more than twice as likely to have reduced working hours as a result of their caring responsibilities.
I mention this because many women are providing care for both children and elderly parents at the same time in their 40s and 50s and this, in combination with perimenopause and menopause, can lead to a lot of stress.
It is known that stress is highly related to indigestion. The stress hormone cortisol increases when we feel stressed, and this can cause our digestion to slow.
Want to learn more about gut symptoms in perimenopause along with bloating?
Adjust Your Sleep Position
Elevating your head and chest higher than your feet as you sleep can help prevent and ease acid reflux and heartburn. You can do this using a foam wedge placed under the mattress or by raising bedposts using wood blocks. Beware of piling pillows, as this usually isn’t effective and may even make your symptoms worse. Additionally, sleeping on your left side is thought to aid digestion and may work to limit stomach acid reflux.
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What Is Acid Reflux
Acid reflux is a gastric condition that occurs when the contents of your stomach rise to your esophagus. This causes a burning sensation from your chest to your throat also known as heartburn or indigestion.
Heartburn that frequently occurs may be a severe form of acid reflux known as gastroesophageal reflux disease .
GERD is characterized by additional symptoms including chronic heartburn, vomiting and coughing.
What Happens During Acid Reflux
Your stomach has a valve that normally closes tightly after food passes into your stomach.
If the valve doesnt close securely enough, stomach contents and acids can rise into your esophagus. This leads to burning sensations or pain anywhere from your stomach to your throat.
If severe and frequent, acid reflux may be diagnosed by your healthcare provider as GERD. If left untreated, acid reflux can damage the lining of your esophagus.
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What To Eat When You Have Indigestion
Eating too quickly, consuming fatty or spicy foods, or overeating are some of the most common indigestion triggers. And just as you can provoke indigestion by eating, you can also treat indigestion by consuming certain stomach-soothing foods or beverages.
Here are the best foods and drinks for getting rid of indigestion pain fast.
Home Remedies For Heartburn: 10 Ways To Get Rid Of Acid Reflux
Despite what its name implies, heartburn has nothing to do with your heart.
Rather, it’s a burning sensation in your chest that occurs when stomach acid backs up into your esophagus, the 10-inch tube connecting your mouth to your stomach.
When it hits, heartburn can last for just a few minutes or as long as several hours. Either way, it’s uncomfortable so it’s no surprise if you’re looking for a way to get rid of the sensation fast.
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Ways To Get Rid Of Indigestion Fast
Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, causes discomfort in the upper portion of your abdomen, and just about everyone experiences it at some point.
Indigestion is commonly caused by an imbalance of stomach acid, either overproduction or underproduction, Dr. Jolson Tharakan, a family medicine physician with Healthcare Associates of Texas says. Also dietary factors such as caffeinated beverages, spicy foods, and acidic foods can irritate the stomach. Lifestyle choices such as smoking and drinking alcohol can cause indigestion. Anatomic and physiologic issues such as hiatal hernias, lower esophageal sphincter incompetency, achalasia, gastric and bowel motility problems, pancreatic insufficiency, liver and gallbladder disease can also cause indigestion. Stomach infections such as Helicobacter pylori infections can lead to indigestion.
Luckily, getting indigestion relief fast is fairly simple, as long as the condition isnt the result of a chronic, underlying health problem. What helps indigestion fast? Read on for our top at-home remedies on how to get rid of indigestion fast.
Resist The Urge To Overeat Or Eat Quickly
When it comes to preventing heartburn, watching portion sizes at meals can go a long way. Having a large amount of food in your stomach may put more pressure on the valve that keeps stomach acid out of your esophagus, making acid reflux and heartburn more likely. If you’re prone to heartburn, consider eating smaller meals more frequently. Eating quickly can also be a trigger of heartburn so be sure to slow down and take time to chew food and drink beverages.
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Is Dyspepsia A Serious Condition
Not usually, but sometimes the symptoms can be a sign of more serious disease . Rarely, stomach cancer can cause dyspepsia. If you have dyspepsia, talk to your doctor. This is especially important if you are older than 50 years, have recently lost weight without trying to, have trouble swallowing, have severe vomiting, have stools that are black and tarry, or if you can feel a lump in your stomach area.
What Can I Take For Indigestion
Many people may not know they are dealing with indigestion.
Some signs that may go unnoticed include hoarseness, feelings of throat pressure, nasal congestion, sour taste in the mouth and a chronic cough, Dr. Tharakan explains.
Some commercially available medications and supplements can help cure indigestion fast. For soothing relief from stomach upset, bloating, diarrhea, and heartburn, try one of the following treatments.
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When To See A Doctor
Mild indigestion is not a cause for concern. However, you may want to reach out to your doctor if your dyspepsia lasts for more than two weeks. You should also contact your doctor right away if your stomach pain is severe or accompanied by:
- Weight loss or loss of appetite
- Frequent vomiting or vomiting blood
- Black, tarry stool
- Difficulty swallowing that gets continuously worse
Weakness or fatigue
Crohn’s Disease And Ulcerative Colitis
What it feels like: Both are inflammatory bowl diseases . Crohn’s disease targets the intestines and bowel but can also affect any part of the digestive tract. Some people have mild intermittent flare-ups others experience excruciating cramping, vomiting, bloating, bloody diarrhea, loss of appetite and weight loss and fatigue. Ulcerative colitis has similar, though less severe, symptoms and affects only the colon and rectum.
What causes it: These are autoimmune disorders in which the immune system designed to guard against bacteria, viruses and other foreign invaders turns on itself. The result: chronic inflammation, scarring and blockage. Since it can be hard to absorb key nutrients, such as vitamin B-12, you may be at risk for pernicious anemia.
The fix: Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis cannot be cured, but you can tame symptoms with a combination of lifestyle changes and medications, including antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant drugs, plus over-the-counter meds for diarrhea and constipation. Stop smoking, ramp up fluids, exercise and experiment to see which foods you can tolerate. Some find that dairy products worsen symptoms others can’t eat high-fiber grains and vegetables. Eating small meals gives the body time to digest.
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Next Steps And How To Prevent Acid Reflux
Acid reflux is common and happens to most people from time to time.
Although uncomfortable, you can manage this condition by avoiding certain foods and utilizing over-the-counter medications when necessary.
If you’re consistently experiencing acid reflux, consider seeking medical advice from your healthcare provider about diagnosis and treatment plans.
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How To Help Prevent Upset Stomach In Dogs
To help your dog maintain a healthy gut, consider giving them a prebiotic and probiotic, Dr. Aronson says. There are both prebiotics and probiotics that are made specifically for dogs, some of which are available over the counter. Be sure to ask your veterinarian if they have a particular brand recommendation.
Always talk to your veterinarian first to find out the best course of action.
Featured Image: Shutterstock/Igor Normann
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Aarp Members Enjoy Health And Wellness Discounts
The fix: Change what you eat and when you eat. Although “everyone is different” in what triggers reflux, says Carr-Locke, it’s been well established that coffee, tea, chocolate, carbonated drinks, spicy foods, alcohol, dairy products and tomatoes provoke or worsen reflux, and it makes sense to avoid the worst offenders. Keep a food diary so you know what you ate before a flare-up, delete those foods from your diet for two weeks, then gradually add them back to see how your react. Meanwhile, if you smoke, stop. Eat smaller meals, and never eat within two hours of lying down. Prop the head of your bed up by 6 to 10 inches .
For short-term relief, try antacids or histamine-2 blockers such as Zantac or Pepcid AC that block stomach acid. More severe cases may require proton pump inhibitors such as Nexium, Prilosec and Prevacid some of which can be found over the counter, others only by prescription. “Current PPI therapy which reduces stomach acid is the best we’ve ever had,” says Carr-Locke. “Many patients find they can tolerate foods they never could before.” Note, however, that these medications can have serious side effects and that some experts think they are overused. If symptoms persist after two weeks, or if you vomit blood or have trouble or pain when swallowing, see your doctor.
How Is Indigestion Treated
Most people find relief from indigestion by making diet changes or taking medication. Your healthcare provider may recommend a combination of both.
Diet changes include:
- Avoiding foods or drinks that trigger indigestion.
- Cutting down on alcohol, caffeine and carbonated drinks.
- Removing fatty, spicy or acidic foods from your diet.
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How To Get Rid Of Indigestion
Indigestion affects up to one in four Americans each year. Indigestion can be experienced differently, causing a wide array of disruptive gastrointestinal symptoms.
Thankfully, there are many treatment options for indigestion. Treatment of indigestion depends on the cause but may entail over-the-counter medications, prescription medications, or at-home lifestyle changes.
In this article, Ill describe what indigestion is, and the different treatment options available. Ill also cover what you should avoid if you experience symptoms and which home remedies can effectively treat or prevent indigestion.
Finally, Ill explain when you should see a healthcare provider for more personalized care.
Why Do Certain Foods Cause Acid Reflux Flare
People’s bodies respond differently to different foods, so there is no one-size fits all approach to identifying what will trigger your acid reflux.
When diagnosing GERD, healthcare providers may recommend eliminating certain parts of your diet to determine which foods cause acid reflux.
However, some foods trigger the lower esophagus to open for different reasons. For example, some foods relax the muscles controlling the valve, which causes it to open and release gastric juices. Others irritate the gastric lining and stimulate acidic digestive juices.
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Indigestion Remedies And Treatments
You can try some remedies for indigestion from home, while others require help from a doctor or specialist. A few flexible options will feature ways to accomplish them on your own and ways to include professional guidance from a health care professional.
Oral Medication
There are many different kinds of medicine that you can take to help relieve indigestion. Over-the-counter medications for indigestion include:
- Antacids to neutralize your stomach acid
- Proton pump inhibitors for frequent bouts of heartburn
Not all medications for indigestion are available over the counter. Some helpful drugs for more complicated instances of indigestion may require a prescription from your doctor. If you have indigestion due to a bacterial infection, your doctor will likely prescribe you antibiotics.
Because emotional stress can cause indigestion, getting mental health care may help ease your stomach pain. One type of psychological therapy that might prove beneficial is called talk therapy. In talk therapy, a therapist can help you find ways to deal with everyday stressors. You can set in-person appointments or use online services to try this route.
If you find that stress is causing your indigestion, meditation and other relaxation exercises might be worth trying, as well.
Adding Ginger to Your Diet
You can find both fresh ginger root and ginger supplements at most supermarkets and health food stores.
Drinking Water with Baking Soda
Does Drinking Water Help Acid Reflux
Drinking water during the later stages of digestion can reduce acidity and GERD symptoms. Often, there are pockets of high acidity, between a pH or 1 and 2, just below the esophagus. By drinking tap or filtered water a little while after a meal, you can dilute the acid there, which can result in less heartburn.
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Five Reasons Why You Might Have A Stomach Ache
Stomach aches are common, and many home remedies can help ease the discomfort. One of the simplest methods is to drink plenty of fluids, which helps flush out the digestive system and rehydrate the body. Some people also find that drinking warm liquids, such as herbal tea or soup, can help to relax the stomach muscles and ease the pain. Other effective home remedies include eating smaller meals more frequently, avoiding trigger foods, and taking over-the-counter medications such as antacids or anti-diarrheal drugs. In most cases, stomach aches will resolve on their own within a few hours. However, suppose pain persists or is accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea or vomiting. In that case, it is important to see a doctor to rule out more serious causes. In the meantime, here are five possible reasons of that pesky stomachache:
How Should I Sleep With Indigestion
Don’t sleep on your right side. For some reason, this seems to prompt relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter the tight ring of muscle connecting the stomach and esophagus that normally defends against reflux. Do sleep on your left side. This is the position that has been found to best reduce acid reflux.
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Common Causes Of Upset Stomach In Dogs
There are many reasons your dog may have an upset stomach, though theres one common cause: they ate something they shouldnt have, says Kathy Backus, DVM, at Holistic Veterinary Services in Kaysville, Utah.
Dogs are curious like kids theyre always putting things in their mouth, she says. Vomiting and diarrhea are signs that a dogs body is trying to expel something that shouldnt be in their system. In a healthy dog, its a protective mechanism of the body thats totally normal.
These are a few things that can trigger an upset stomach in dogs:
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Ingesting something that they shouldnt
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Bacterial imbalances within the digestive tract
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Chronic conditions such as food sensitivities
What Can I Do To Prevent Indigestion
There are many things you can do to try to prevent indigestion.
Making changes in your diet and eating habits can help. These include:
- Eating several small, low-fat meals each day instead of 3 large meals
- Eating slowly and giving yourself enough time for meals
- Limiting spicy, fatty, greasy, or high-fiber foods
- Chewing your food well
- Limiting or not having any coffee, soda, or alcohol
Avoid medicines that hurt your stomach. These include aspirin and over-the-counter pain and fever medicines . If you do take them, do so after you eat.
Other lifestyle changes that may keep indigestion from happening include:
- Quitting smoking
- Finding ways to lower your emotional and physical stress, such as meditation or yoga
- Exercising before a meal or waiting at least 1 hour after eating
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