Indigestion is such a problem, which spoils your overall health. When there is pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen, it can be a sign of indigestion. The problem of indigestion starts due to a malfunction in the digestive system. Some people take medicine from a doctor to treat indigestion, while some take home remedies to treat indigestion.
What is indigestion?
Indigestion occurs when there is an upset stomach. This is called dyspepsia in medical language. It includes many problems related to the stomach, such as – abdominal pain, burning or discomfort in the upper abdomen, etc. Indigestion is not a disease in itself, but it is definitely a sign of some serious disease. It is believed that bad eating habits cause indigestion, but there are many other reasons as well. We have explained about this in detail in the further part of the article on the causes of indigestion.
Causes of Indigestion
There can be many reasons for indigestion, such as:
- Overeating.
- Eating spicy and oily food.
- Lying down immediately after a meal.
- high fiber diet
- To smoke
- alcohol abuse.
- More caffeine intake.
- Excessive consumption of soda.
- Take too much stress
Symptoms of Indigestion
A variety of common symptoms can be felt when there is indigestion. Below we are telling about these symptoms:
- Abdominal pain
- upper abdominal discomfort
- Abdominal distension
- Nausea
- stomach irritation
- feeling full after eating only a small amount
- If indigestion is severe, then there may be some other symptoms, if they occur, it is advisable to talk to the doctor immediately:
- vomiting blood
- weight loss
- difficulty swallowing
Home Remedies for Indigestion
Whatever be the problem, people usually prefer to do home remedies for it first. These home remedies are also effective and do not cause any harm. Yes, if someone’s health is very bad, then without delay, a doctor should be checked up. Know in detail below about the home remedy of indigestion.
1. Baking Soda
material :
- tsp baking soda
- half a glass of warm water
process :
- Add half a teaspoon of baking soda to half a glass of water and mix it well.
- Then drink this water.
How is it beneficial?
The benefits of baking soda have been seen to treat indigestion . Baking soda is said to be a natural antacid, which can help treat indigestion and heartburn. It can neutralize stomach acid to cure indigestion.
Note: Always consume it one hour to two hours after eating food.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
material :
- 1-2 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 glass of water
process :
- Mix one to two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of warm water.
- A little honey can be added to it for taste.
- Then drink this mixture.
How is it beneficial?
Apple cider vinegar can be used to treat symptoms of indigestion such as an upset stomach . A research published by NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information) has revealed that this solution of apple vinegar and water about half an hour before a meal can help in quick digestion of food and treat indigestion. At present, more research and accurate evidence is needed in this subject.
3. Cinnamon
material :
- one teaspoon cinnamon powder
- a cup of water
process :
- Boil a cup of water in a pan.
- When the water starts to boil, add a spoonful of cinnamon powder and boil it for two-three minutes.
- After boiling well, sieve it in a cup.
- Consume cinnamon tea with two to three drops of lemon (optional).
How is it beneficial?
Cinnamon is considered beneficial for health due to its many properties. One of the many benefits of cinnamon is home remedy for indigestion. It is said that it can help in getting some relief from chronic indigestion problem. At the moment, more research needs to be done on the subject of which properties cinnamon can cure indigestion.
4. Chamomile Tea
material :
- a spoonful of chamomile tea
- a cup of water
- Honey
process :
- Heat a cup of water in a pan.
- Add a teaspoon of chamomile tea leaves to it.
- After it boils well, filter it in a cup and consume it with honey.
How is it beneficial?
Chamomile is considered a digestive relaxant, meaning it can be helpful in relaxing the digestive system. Many problems related to stomach can be cured by its use. It is said that it can help in getting relief from the problem of indigestion and its other symptoms such as gas, vomiting and nausea etc. It can help remove gas and relax the muscles that carry food from the stomach to the intestine.
5. Lemon and Ginger Tea
material :
- 1 inch piece of ginger
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 cup hot water
- Honey
What to do?
- Put a piece of ginger in a cup of hot water.
- Then add a spoonful of lemon juice to it.
- Filter this water after 5 to 10 minutes.
- When this tea becomes lukewarm, add some honey to it and drink it immediately.
How is it beneficial?
Ginger and lemon tea can also be used as a remedy for indigestion. Ginger is believed to have been used since ancient times to treat indigestion and its symptoms such as abdominal pain, flatulence, gas, belching, nausea and vomiting. At the same time, lemon is considered an alkaline food item. It can relieve stomach irritation by pacifying the acid being built up in the body.
6. Cumin Water
material :
- two teaspoons cumin
- a glass of water
process :
- Soak two spoons of cumin seeds in a glass of water overnight.
- Strain this water in the morning and consume it after adding two pinches of black salt (optional).
How is it beneficial?
You must have heard about cumin water for weight loss, but did you know that it can also be used to treat indigestion at home? Yes friends, an article published by NCBI has revealed that it has gastroprotective properties. It can help relieve stomach and intestinal problems such as indigestion, abdominal pain, burning, gas, flatulence, vomiting and nausea.
7. Mint
material :
- tsp peppermint tea
- a cup of water
- honey (optional)
process :
- Heat a cup of water in a vessel.
- When this water starts boiling, add half a teaspoon of peppermint tea and boil it.
- Strain the tea after it boils well.
- Add honey to it as per your wish and consume it.
How is it beneficial?
Peppermint tea can also be used as a home remedy to cure indigestion. It is said that it has been used since ancient times to relieve the problem of indigestion and its symptoms such as gas, acidity and nausea. At the same time, research in the Journal of Pharmaceutical and Research has also found that it has anti-spasmodic properties, which can help reduce stomach pain.
8. Celery
material :
- tsp celery
- half a glass of warm water
process :
To treat indigestion in the stomach, take half a teaspoon of carom seeds with half a glass of warm water.
How is it beneficial?
Consuming carom seeds can also be beneficial in treating indigestion at home. It is said that it can relax the muscles of the digestive system, especially the intestine. At the same time, it enhances the functioning of digestive enzymes and bile. Also, it has antispasmodic effect which can be helpful in reducing colic. Bile is a fluid released from the liver, which helps digest lipids in the small intestine.
9. Milk
material :
- a glass of cold milk
process :
- In case of indigestion, drink a glass of cold milk.
How is it beneficial?
Milk can also be used as a home remedy for indigestion. In a research published by NCBI, it has been proved that milk has antacid effects. These can help relieve symptoms of indigestion by reducing stomach irritation or acidity.
10. Honey
material :
- a spoonful of honey
- a glass of lukewarm water
process :
- Drink a glass of lukewarm water mixed with one teaspoon of honey.
- It can be drunk every morning on an empty stomach.
How is it beneficial?
Indigestion is never alone. Along with this comes some symptoms, one of the common symptoms of which is a burning sensation in the stomach. In some cases, this irritation can also be caused by the effect of free radicals in the body. In this case, the use of honey can be beneficial. It has antioxidant properties, which can reduce the effect of free radicals and relieve the symptoms of indigestion.
11. Fennel
material :
- one tablespoon fennel
- two cups of water
process :
- Soak two tablespoons of fennel in two cups of water overnight.
- Strain this water after waking up in the morning and drink a cup of water.
- The remaining one cup of water can be drunk half an hour before the meal.
How is it beneficial?
Fennel can also be used as a home remedy for indigestion. Research conducted by a medical college in Punjab has found that a syrup made from fennel (fennel water) can help treat colic in children. The problem of colic in children is due to indigestion.
12. Coconut Oil
material :
- one to two tablespoons coconut oil
process :
- Use coconut oil instead of regular oil in cooking.
How is it beneficial?
Coconut oil can also be used as a remedy for indigestion. Research published by the Journal of Pharmacy Research states that lauric acid is found in coconut oil. It may help reduce the effects of a virus called Helicobacter pylori, which causes indigestion. Using coconut water once a day along with the use of coconut oil can also help treat indigestion at home.
13. Aloe Vera
material :
- cup aloe vera juice
process :
- Drink half a cup of aloe vera juice half an hour before meals.
How is it beneficial?
You must have heard about the benefits of aloe vera for the skin. Let us tell you that aloe vera can also be used to get relief from the problem of indigestion. Research published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information provides evidence that aloe vera juice can help relieve stomach and intestinal problems. This includes burning in the stomach, belching, gas, difficulty in swallowing food, vomiting, and nausea, etc.
Foods to Eat for Indigestion
Along with adopting the treatment of indigestion, it is also important to take care of your diet during this time. This diet is also called a bland diet. During this, you can consume the following foods:
- low-fat or completely fat-free dairy products
- Cooked, canned or frozen vegetables.
- Fruit and vegetable juices.
- Flour loaves and slices of bread.
- Low-fat chicken, grilled whitefish or shellfish.
- Creamy Peanut Butter.
- pudding or custard
- egg
- Tofu
- soup
What not to eat in case of indigestion
In the problem of indigestion, it is advised not to consume the following substances:
- Alcohol and beverages containing it.
- Carbonated beverages such as soda.
- Caffeinated drinks and foods.
- High-acid foods such as tomatoes or oranges.
- Highly spicy or oily/fat diet.
Treatments for Indigestion
The treatment of indigestion completely depends on its cause. According to the cause, indigestion can be treated in three ways:
Antidepressants:
You may be surprised to know that antidepressant medicines are also used to treat indigestion. In this treatment, two medicines called flupenthixol and tetracaine are used. It is said that with this treatment the symptoms of indigestion can be reduced to a great extent.
Prokinetics:
Prokinetics may also be used in some cases to relieve Och symptoms. Metoclopramide, domperidone, cisapride, erythromycin, and tegaserod can be used in this. It can provide relief from symptoms like gas, irritable bowel syndrome, etc. Along with this, there may be some side effects of these medicines, due to which they should be used only after asking the doctor.
Antibiotics:
The growth of bacteria in the stomach can cause problems like diarrhea, flatulence, abdominal pain, etc. As such, antibiotics such as rifaximin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin/clavulanate, etc. can be used to eliminate the bacteria.
Therapy:
As we mentioned in the cause of indigestion, this problem can also be due to stress or mental stress. In such a situation, relieving stress by talking to a therapist can also help in treating indigestion.
Some More Tips to Avoid Indigestion
As the saying goes that precaution is better than cure, similarly, to avoid this problem, measures to avoid indigestion can be adopted, such as:
- Do not exercise immediately after having a meal.
- Swallow the food thoroughly by chewing it.
- Control weight.
- Avoid eating anything in the middle of the night.
- Do not smoke/consume alcohol.
- Don’t be stressed.
- Sleep only after two to three hours after eating food.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the difference between an upset stomach and indigestion?
These two are related to each other. Burning in the stomach occurs when the eaten food starts coming back into the food pipe. At the same time, indigestion occurs when the food is not fully digested. These two could be due to each other.
How long does it take for indigestion to go away?
It entirely depends on the cause and type of indigestion. For some people, this problem gets cured in some time, while for some it can last for a long time.
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