What is Indigestion?

Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia (pronounced: dis-pep-see-ah), is just another name for an upset stomach. Indigestion usually happens when people eat too much or too fast or certain foods don't agree with them. It might happen more often if you smoke, drink alcohol, are stressed out, or don't get enough sleep.

Sometimes indigestion can be accompanied by heartburn. Despite its name though, heartburn actually has nothing to do with your heart. It's caused by stomach acid splashing up from the stomach and into the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. This is called esophageal reflux, and it usually leaves a sour or bitter taste in the mouth.

What causes Indigestion?

You may be wondering how indigestion occurs in the first place. There are many potential causes — often it's just because a person eats too much or eats too fast, as mentioned before. But sometimes it can be due to smoking, drinking alcohol, or certain stomach problems, like gastritis (stomach inflammation) or an ulcer.

What are the Symptoms of Indigestion?

If you have indigestion, you'll probably have one or more of the following symptoms:

• Bloating (full feeling)
• Belching and gas
• Nausea and vomiting
• Acidic taste
• Growling stomach
• Burning in the stomach or upper abdomen
• Abdominal pain

These symptoms may increase in times of stress.

Sometimes the term indigestion is used to describe the symptom of heartburn, but these are two different conditions. Heartburn is a painful, burning feeling in the chest that radiates toward the neck or back. Heartburn is caused by stomach acid rising into the esophagus and may be a symptom of GERD. A person can have symptoms of both indigestion and heartburn.


Cures for Indigestion

Some people can eat anything and never get an upset stomach. But others are more sensitive to certain foods and find that some just don't agree with them. If you discover you have a problem with particular foods, it's best to limit them or skip them entirely.

In addition to avoiding problem foods, try to eat a few smaller meals instead of one or two really big ones. Here are some other tips to prevent indigestion:

• As much as possible, avoid fatty, greasy foods, like fries and burgers.
• Avoid too much chocolate or too many citrus fruits (the acid in citrus fruits can upset the digestive tract).
• Eat slowly.
• Don't smoke.
• Find ways to relax and decrease stress.
• Give your body a chance to digest food. Don't eat a huge meal and immediately go to sports practice. Try to eat at least an hour before physical exertion, or eat afterwards.

Natural remedy for indigestion

You might still get indigestion once in a while, even if you follow these tips. Read my personal story on how I discovered the Step-by-Step System to permanently cure indigestion with natural home remedies – without the use of over the counter medicines or prescription drugs

Remedies for Indigestion