Four natural ways of getting rid of indigestion

Tuesday, May 21, 2013 by: Sandeep Godiyal
Tags: indigestion, digestive enzymes, heartburn remedies

(NaturalNews) People often see the term "indigestion" as a way of referring to upper abdominal pain and/or heartburn that could be accompanied by a feeling of having a stomach full of gas, bloated sensations after eating, difficulty swallowing, feelings of heaviness after eating, abdominal or stomach cramps and pains, or fullness in the abdomen. Medical terms used to describe this phenomenon include non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD), gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), and functional dyspepsia (FD). This article will discuss four great ways to get rid of indigestion.

Natural ways of getting rid of indigestion

For people who experience chronic indigestion, the focus should be shifted from blocking the digestive process with the use of antacids to aiding digestion. Indigestion has a lot of causes, not just the increased secretion of hydrochloric acid, but it can also be triggered with the decreased secretion of the said acid, as well as other enzymes and digestive factors.

A lot of nutrition-oriented doctors believe that a lower amount of acid in the stomach is actually the main suspect among those who have indigestion. Here are four natural approaches that can help alleviate indigestion:

1)Use hydrochloric acid supplementation.

A lot of people who suffer from indigestion actually suffer from a lack of hydrochloric acid secretion. By taking supplements, there can be relief for those who have indigestion.

2)Change one's diet.

The first step in changing one's diet is by taking out any common dietary causes of NUD/GERD/FD. These include obesity, overeating, and intake of fried foods, chocolate, carbonated drinks, coffee, and alcohol. A lot of cases have been found that simply reducing the amount of causative foods from the diet or completely eliminating them could already relieve the people of their GERD.

3)Use peppermint oil that is enteric-coated.

Another natural product that many people take nowadays for indigestion is peppermint oil. This oil is placed inside special capsules that are specially coated to keep them from getting digested in the stomach. Peppermint has been found to be helpful in improving gastrointestinal function in people who have irritable bowel syndrome.

4)Take digestive enzymes.

Another functional cause of indigestion is the lack of digestive enzymes from the pancreas. When abdominal bloating and discomfort, heartburn, and gas formation occur within 15 to 30 minutes after eating, this could be attributed to the lack of hydrochloric acid secretion. If these symptoms occur after 45 minutes, this could be a sign of the lack of pancreatic enzymes. Products that contain digestive enzymes are most effective for the treatment of pancreatic insufficiency.

OTC and prescription drugs: Do they worsen indigestion?

A lot of experts say that prescription drugs and OTC (over-the-counter) drugs used for indigestion actually cause more problems rather than cure the condition. Acid-blocking drugs are among the most popular among these drugs, and these usually work by blocking what is considered to be the most important digestive process: The secretion of hydrochloric acid inside the stomach. However, these drugs also block digestion of the food eaten. These drugs, in turn, are associated with a lot of side effects, such as diarrhea, nausea, and constipation.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.healthguidance.org

http://www.besthealthmag.ca

http://www.rediff.com

About the author:
Sandeep has written many health field articles for both Internet and print publication. He currently writing for insurancetips4u.co.

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