Indigestion

info on indigestion, heartburn, upset stomach, belching, flatulence, hyspepsia, acid indigestion

There are a number of proactive steps one can take to reduce problems associated with indigestion and heartburn. See information about:

Diet
Dietary enzymes
herbs
lifestyle tips

Symptoms

The hallmark symptoms of indigestion or upset stomach are a painful or burning sensation in the upper abdomen, which may be accompanied by bloating, belching, diffuse abdominal pain, heartburn, passing gas, nausea, and occasionally vomiting. The appearance of these symptoms is often associated with eating.

Recommendations for Indigestion

These are the most important recommendations for indigestion.

Sweetish Bitters Elixir 2 oz (SWEE4)

Indigestion or Heartburn?
Indigestion refers to any number of gastrointestinal complaints, which can include gas (belching or flatulence) and upset stomach.

Heartburn refers to a burning feeling, which can be caused by stomach acid regurgitating into the esophagus from the stomach, by gastritis (inflammation of the lining of the stomach), or by an ulcer of the stomach or duodenum (also called peptic ulcer).

Shopping Tips

Helpful: Sweetish Bitters Elixir 2 oz (SWEE4) - Sweetish Bitters - for Indigestion

Causes

Doctors have observed that heartburn and indigestion may be relieved in some people by avoiding or reducing the intake of caffeine and alcohol
Some people with symptoms of indigestion appear to have food allergies or intolerances. Avoiding such foods may improve digestive complaints in those people. While most doctors believe there is an important connection between diet and intestinal symptoms, there are few published data documenting such associations. Dietary modifications should be undertaken with the help of a healthcare practitioner.
People who eat too fast or fail to chew their food adequately may also experience symptoms of indigestion or heartburn.
One cause of heartburn is a condition called hiatal hernia. With this condition, a small portion of the stomach gets caught in the sphincter that separates the esophagus from the stomach. A hiatal hernia usually does not require any specific therapy, but any accompanying gastroesophageal reflux (regurgitation of acid into the esophagus) should be treated. This same condition can occur if there is a defective sphincter between the esophagus and the stomach.

Conventional Treatment

Anti-acids

To relieve heartburn, some people try antacids, which often provide symptomatic relief. However, long-term use of antacids may, in theory, interfere with the absorption of some vitamins and minerals.

Diet

Conventional treatment includes the avoidance of spicy foods, fatty foods, milk, and beans. Medications may also be prescribed to control stomach acidity: histamine H2 inhibitors (e.g., cimetidine [Tagamet®], famotidine [Pepcid®], nizatidine [Axid®], ranitidine [Zantac®]), proton pump inhibitors (e.g., lansoprazole [Prevacid®], omeprazole [Prilosec®]), and antacids (e.g., Maalox®, Mylanta®, Rolaids®, Tums®). Activated charcoal or simethicone (Gas-X®, Mylicon®, Phazyme®) may be prescribed for relief of gas and bloating.

Self Help

Diet & Nutrition

Diet

Foods to avoid or limit: Avoid or reduce intake of refined sugar, caffeine, and alcohol.
Avoid food allergens: Avoiding such foods may improve digestive complaints. However, there is little published research documenting such an association.
Dietary fat: Although people with gastroesophageal reflux are often advised to avoid fatty meals, the evidence supporting that recommendation is conflicting. It remains unclear whether restriction of dietary fat can reduce symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux.
Eat slowly, chew well: Individuals who eat too fast or fail to chew their food adequately may also experience symptoms of indigestion or heartburn.

Dietary Enzymes

Lactase (for lactose intolerance only)
Lipase (for pancreatic insufficiency only) Pancreatic enzymes contain protease and should not be taken by people with gastric or duodenal ulcers.

Herbs

Three major categories of herbs are used to treat indigestion (see links for details on each regarding usage, cautions and research:

carminatives (gas-relieving herbs): caraway and fennel, ginger, linden, peppermint, sage, and turmeric.
bitters (digestive stimulants): artichoke and greater celandine.
demulcents (soothing herbs): licorace and slippery elm.

Lifestyle changes that may be helpful

Weight loss: Being overweight predisposes individuals to gastroesophageal reflux (sour brash). However, dietary fat consumption was not found to be related to hospitalizations for reflux.

Discussion: Diet & Nutrition

Lactase

Lactose intolerance can cause many digestive problems, including gas, cramps, and diarrhea; in such cases, ingesting the enzyme lactase (which digests lactose) before consuming dairy products may prevent the development of these symptoms. Several different lactase products are commercially available, and the amount needed depends on the specific preparation being used.

Lipase

Lipase, a pancreatic enzyme, aids in the digestion of fats and may improve digestion in some people. The amount of pancreatic enzymes needed may vary from person to person, and should be determined with the help of a healthcare professional. In a double-blind trial, a timed-release form of pancreatic enzymes was shown to significantly reduce gas, bloating, and fullness after a high-fat meal.1 Participants in this study took one capsule immediately before the meal and two capsules immediately after the meal. The three capsules together provided 30,000 USP units of lipase, 112,500 USP units of protease, and 99,600 USP units of amylase. However, the amount of pancreatic enzymes needed may vary from person to person, and should be determined with the help of a doctor.

Herbs

Three major categories of herbs are used to treat indigestion when no cause for the condition is known:

bitters (digestive stimulants)
carminatives (gas-relieving herbs)
demulcents (soothing herbs)

The effects of these different categories on heartburn and low stomach acid will be discussed individually. Although there is overlap in the conditions, the categories are helpful.

Studies

See these references for footnotes and other information.

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