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what are they?
Indigestion, or dyspepsia to use the medical term, is a catch-all term used to describe discomfort in the abdomen that comes on after eating. Symptoms may include:
- Discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen. This is often especially severe after eating a large, heavy, rich, spicy or fatty meal.
- Nausea
- Bloating
- A feeling of fullness (satiety) that may be relieved by burping
- Flatulence (excessive wind in the stomach or gut)
- Heartburn, or gastroesophageal reflux, is one of the commonest forms of indigestion. It happens when stomach acids flow back into the oesophagus or gullet causing a burning feeling behind the breastbone that may extend up to the throat and a sensation of food flowing into the mouth.
For most people indigestion and heartburn are occasional and mild problems. However others experience symptoms more severely. In some people, the bloated feeling is due to irritable bowel syndrome rather than stomach problems. Pain relieved by eating is typical of a duodenal ulcer.
In rare instances symptoms may be a sign of a more serious digestive disorder.You should always contact the doctor if your symptoms are severe or persistent and/or are associated with difficulties in swallowing and/or weight loss.
what causes them?
Certain foods can trigger indigestion and heartburn in some people. Common culprits include garlic, onions, fatty foods, cabbage, Brussels sprouts and rich, spicy or fatty goods.
Eating too fast or on the run can also cause digestive difficulties as can alcohol. 'Nervous' indigestion may be a result of stress. Heartburn happens when the sphincter muscle that normally prevents food being regurgitated is weakened or under pressure, allowing semi-digested food and stomach acids to flow back up the oesophagus.
Being overweight can put too much pressure on the abdomen encouraging reflux, as can eating too much or lying down after a meal.
Certain medications and even foods and drinks can relax the sphincter.
The hormone progesterone, relaxes smooth muscle throughout the body including the abdominal sphincter. This combined with the pressure of the growing uterus is why pregnant women are often prone to heartburn.
how complementary therapies may help
Each therapy has been coded from 1 to 5 depending on the amount of scientific evidence there is for its effectiveness. The higher the number the stronger the evidence, so 5 = definitely, 4 = probably, 3 = possibly, 2 = opinion, and 1 = rumour. (There is more detail about these in the 'does it work?' section of 'before you start'.)
Having said this, the codes aren't meant to be cast in stone or to put you off trying a particular therapy or therapies if you feel they might be helpful to you.
Go to therapies for a full description of each individual treatment, plus information on how to find practitioners.
acupuncture
(code 3)
Research suggests that acupuncture can rebalance acid levels and alleviate tension.
herbal medicine
(code 2)
A herbal practitioner is likely to give you advice on diet and lifestyle and prescribe a number of different herbs depending on the predominating symptoms.
These may include balm, for 'nervous' indigestion; chamomile, to easy anxiety and balance the digestive system; ginger, to ease nausea; liquorice root, which contains an ingredient that can reduce pressure on lower oesophageal sphincter muscle (the muscle that stops food being regurgitated); meadowsweet, to relieve heartburn and excess acidity; peppermint, to alleviate flatulence and bloating; and slippery elm, to soothe and tone irritated tissues caused by acid reflux.
Certain herbs such as artemesia (wormwood), gentian root, dandelion root, chamomile flowers and hydrastis root (goldenseal) — help stimulate the digestive juices and can be useful in teas.
Some trials have shown that artichoke (Cynara) can help ease indigestion, especially if the problem is due to a shortage of bile.
hypnotherapy
(code 2)
Hypnotherapy can help induce relaxation and may be particularly useful for easing 'nervous' indigestion caused by stress. 'Gut centred' hypnotherapy in which you are encouraged to focus on the uncomfortable sensations in your gastrointestinal tract and controlling them has been found by some researchers to help ease discomfort associated with a peptic ulcer. See also irritable bowel syndrome .
nutritional therapies
(code 2)
A nutritional practitioner may suggest keeping a food diary to try and identify if there is food intolerance and pinpoint foods or drinks associated with symptoms.
S/he may prescribe enzyme preparations such as lactase, which helps digestion of milk and dairy products, if lactose intolerance appears to be a problem; or lipase, a pacreatic enzyme, which can help with the digestion fats and aid digestion.
The practitioner may also suggest taking an acidophilus supplement to help balance bacteria in the digestive tract, or suggest you include live yoghurt in your diet. Vitamin C and zinc supplements may be prescribed to heal gastrititis (inflammation of the digestive tract).
Low levels of stomach acid (hydrochloric acid), shown in research to affect half of all people aged over 60, may be a factor in indigestion and can be a result of a shortage of zinc. Other nutritional therapists may recommend a medicinal hydrochloric acid preparation, such as betaine hydrochloride or glutamic acid hydrochloric, to tackle the lack of acid directly.
Other therapies
Proper digestion is considered to be the foundation of good health in ayurvedic medicine. A therapist may advise you on diet, and use herbs, massage and detoxification techniques to help restore the balance of the three doshas.
An osteopath may manipulate the region of the spine endowed with nerves that supply the digestive system.
Relaxing therapies such as relaxation and breathing , yoga and t'ai chi may be useful for indigestion associated with stress and nervous tension.
» help and info
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(July 2002)
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