How Is The Cause Of Indigestion Diagnosed
In addition to a physical exam and questions about your symptoms, a doctor may perform the following tests:
- Blood tests
Some of the above medications are available in over-the-counter strengths.
A combination of antibiotics and acid blockers may be prescribed for up to several months if the underlying cause is related to Helicobacter pylori .
If the underlying cause is found to be gastroparesis, pro-motility drugs such as metoclopramide may be prescribed.
If the underlying cause of indigestion is found to be related to depression or anxiety, antidepressants may be prescribed for a short time.
If the underlying cause is found to be a medication you are currently taking, do not abruptly stop the medication. Work with your health-care professional to find alternatives that will not worsen your indigestion.
It the underlying cause is caused entirely or partially by lifestyle, medications listed above may help reduce symptoms, but changes in lifestyle will produce the best results .
How A Doctor Can Help
If you have heartburn two or more times a week and changes to your diet or eating pattern havent helped, consult a doctor. A gastroenterologist can perform tests to measure the acidity in your stomach and see if frequent acid reflux has damaged your esophagus.
GERD is often treatable through a combination of lifestyle changes and medication. But persistent symptoms of reflux need thorough evaluation by a gastroenterologist who can find the underlying cause and discuss available treatment options.
The Johns Hopkins Heartburn Center
GERD is an ongoing condition that often requires more attention than over-the-counter treatments can offer. The Heartburn Center at Johns Hopkins Medicine provides personalized care to help patients find relief.
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What Foods Or Drinks Are Good For Heartburn
Fennel. This crunchy vegetable with a licorice flavor makes a great addition to salads. Thereâs some evidence that fennel can improve your digestion. Ginger. A long-standing natural treatment for upset stomach,ginger does seem to have benefits for reflux. ⦠Aloe vera. This is another old treatment for GI problems that seems to help with reflux. â¦â¦
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Drink Aloe Vera Juice
There is some research that indicates drinking aloe vera juice could help relieve acid reflux.
One small 2015 pilot study found that drinking 10 ml of aloe vera syrup daily helped decrease symptoms of GERD, and that its effects were comparable to the drugs ranitidine and omeprazole.
A small 2016 study focusing on male patients who developed GERD after exposure to sulfur mustard gas found that taking 40 mg of the proton-pump inhibitor pantoprazole in the morning and 5 ml of aloe vera syrup in the morning and before bed for two weeks improved the severity of GERD symptoms better than pantoprazole alone.
Proton-pump inhibitors are among the strongest medications for acid reflux. They work by lowering stomach acid levels, but long-term use is associated with some risks and side effects.
The gel-like nature of aloe vera, along with its anti-inflammatory properties, can help calm irritation in the gut and may help protect organs mucous lining.
Talk to your doctor if youre on any medication or are pregnant or breastfeeding before consuming aloe vera.
Important: Avoid the skin and inner lining of aloe vera. It contains anthraquinone, a laxative that could cause GI upset.
If you want to try drinking aloe vera juice, look for that has been purified to reduce the anthraquinone content.
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Get Some Form Of Exercise At Least For Half An Hour In A Day
Exercise is the answer to almost all our ailments. Its no different when it comes to acidity, and we tell you exactly how. Lack of exercise leads to excessive deposition of fats, especially in the abdominal area. Excess abdominal fat pushes stomach acids up into the oesophagus which can further lead to frequent heartburns. Do those crunches and runs regularly to prevent acidity and shed those extra pounds.
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Home Remedies For Indigestion
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Indigestion is uncomfortable and annoying, but its a common problem, often caused by something youve eaten or drunk that has disagreed with you. Its not usually a sign of anything serious, often goes away on its own, and can be easily treated.
Symptoms include pain or discomfort in the top of your tummy and an acidic taste in your mouth, due to stomach acid rising up into your throat. This can also cause a burning feeling in your chest, called heartburn.
A pharmacist can suggest medicines to help, including antacids and proton pump inhibitors . These reduce the acid in your stomach, to help ease symptoms. However, you may want to try a natural remedy instead.
Many natural or herbal medicines have been around for centuries, and this includes remedies for indigestion. Read on to learn more about some of the most popular options. Just bear in mind that they should be used with caution, as there isnt always much scientific evidence to support their effectiveness.
And remember, if youre getting indigestion a lot, its worth speaking to your doctor, who can check what might be causing it. Nausea which is ongoing, getting worse or affecting your day-to-day life could mean you have an underlying cause and its very important to see your doctor.
How To Deal With Nausea While Fasting
There are several ways to deal with nausea during fasting that can be tried, including:
Breathe fresh air
Reporting from MedicineNet , breathing fresh air outside can help overcome nausea naturally. If you have difficulty accessing the outdoors, turn on the fan and get some fresh air around it.
Divert attention from nausea
Nausea can lead to vomiting if this health problem is too thought about. For that, distract from nausea while fasting by chatting with friends, watching movies, or doing other relaxing activities.
Breathe deeply
When a bout of nausea occurs, try to take deep breaths to relax your mind and reduce worries about vomiting. Try taking a few deep breaths while practicing simple muscle relaxation techniques.
Breathe aromatherapy
Some aromatherapy oils can also help reduce nausea. Try inhaling peppermint or lemon aromatherapy oil when fasting nausea comes.
Try acupressure
This traditional Chinese remedy can help with nausea. The trick, position the palms facing up. Then massage the tendons or hard tissue in your palms using your thumbs in circular motions for two minutes.
Take stomach acid-lowering medication
When you are breaking your fast or if you have unbearable nausea during fasting, try taking stomach acid-lowering drugs such as over-the-counter antacids.
Consumption of ginger
When nausea recurs after breaking the fast or sahur, try consuming ginger wedang, ginger cookies, or ginger candy to get rid of the urge to vomit after eating.
Consume mint leaves
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Can Acid Reflux Make You Feel Nauseated
Acid reflux can cause you to feel nauseous. Acid reflux nausea is a common symptom of acid reflux that can make eating and your everyday life uncomfortable. If the ring of muscle separating your stomach and esophagus is loose or weakened, then particles and stomach acid can flow upwards. This acid leaves an unpleasant, sour taste in your mouth, which can trigger nausea. When the sour taste combines with other symptoms of acid reflux, such as burping and coughing, the feeling of nausea increases.
Home Remedies For Heartburn Chamomile Tea
Chamomile can reduce the inflammation in the stomach. In addition, it can relieve stress and help you sleep well. Chamomile also soothes gastrointestinal irritation and reduces gastric acidity, thereby helping you get relief from the heartburn. In order to make this remedy, you had better prepare these ingredients:
- A teaspoon of dried chamomile flower petals
- A strainer
- Pour the tea into a glass
- Add honey or lemon if you want
- Do this 2 or 3 times during a day and repeat daily till your heartburn is taken away.
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Using Acupressure And Stretching
Administer Apple Cider Vinegar
While you have acid boiling and burning in your stomach and esophagus, it might seem counter-productive to add more acid to your already struggling system, but apple cider vinegar can make you feel so much better.
Sometimes acid reflux can be caused by a lack of acid or lowered amounts of acid in your system. Adding a bit of acidic apple cider vinegar can stop these problems before they occur.
Required Ingredients:
- Combine the apple cider vinegar with the water and drink before a meal.
- You can repeat before each meal or even 3-4 times throughout the day.
Notes: If you notice that your acid reflux is worsening, discontinue this home remedy.
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A Few Lifestyle Changes Are Worth Trying Before Resorting To Drugs For Controlling Gastroesophageal Reflux
If you are sounding a little hoarse and have a sore throat, you may be bracing for a cold or a bout of the flu. But if you’ve had these symptoms for a while, they might be caused not by a virus but by a valveyour lower esophageal sphincter. That’s the muscle that controls the passage between the esophagus and stomach, and when it doesn’t close completely, stomach acid and food flow back into the esophagus. The medical term for this process is gastroesophageal reflux the backward flow of acid is called acid reflux.
Acid reflux can cause sore throats and hoarseness and may literally leave a bad taste in your mouth. When acid reflux produces chronic symptoms, it is known as gastroesophageal reflux disorder, or GERD. The most common symptom of GERD is heartburnpain in the upper abdomen and chest.
Three conditionspoor clearance of food or acid from the esophagus, too much acid in the stomach, and delayed stomach emptyingcontribute to acid reflux, says Dr. Jacqueline Wolf, a gastroenterologist and associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and author of A Woman’s Guide to a Healthy Stomach: Taking Control of Your Digestive Health.
Remedies And Treatments For Nausea
Most of the time nausea is not a cause for concern. However, there are actions you can take to minimize the unpleasant feeling.
Because nausea upsets your stomach, eating food may temporarily make things worse. A diet of clear liquids can provide the sugar, salt, and some nutrients your body needs until you can eat solid food again. Clear liquids are easy to digest and don’t put extra strain on your stomach or intestines.
The best things to drink when you’re nauseous are:
- Clear broth
- Water
You should avoid alcoholic beverages, dairy products, smoothies, and vegetable juice.
If your nausea causes frequent vomiting, doctors may give you oral rehydration therapy, which involves drinking a rehydration solution that replaces the minerals and body fluids you lost.
Because peppermint tea contains a range of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, it is used for a variety of ailments. One of its most well-known traditional uses is to reduce nausea by soothing your stomach. In oil form and through aromatherapy, peppermint has been studied as a nausea remedy among pregnant people.
To make this kind of tea, steep 1 teaspoon of dried peppermint leaves in a cup of boiling water and strain it after ten or so minutes. When it becomes a safe temperature to drink, slowly sip the infusion and let the benefits take effect.
You can find fresh ginger root at your grocery store, or you can buy ginger supplements.
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Managing Acid Reflux During Sleep Time
Leaving a longer gap between a meal and going to bed gives the body more time to digest the food. Sitting up also helps the body digest food properly.
The proper digestion of food can decrease the likelihood of acid reflux. People experiencing acid reflux during sleep time should aim to eat their last meal at least
- a burning sensation
- a feeling of having a lump in the throat
Treatments to address the root cause of acid reflux will be the most effective in alleviating associated symptoms, such as a sore throat.
Let Your Stomach Loose
Tight waistbands or belts that dig into your stomach place unnecessary pressure on your abdomen.10 Swallowing an antacid and undoing the button of your pants or taking your belt down a notch or two after eating will provide instant relief. Maintaining a healthy weight is, however, a better long-term solution.
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What Do I Do If I Think I Have Gerd
With GERD when reflux and heartburn happen more than once in a while the tissue lining your esophagus is getting battered regularly with stomach acid. Eventually the tissue becomes damaged. If you have this chronic acid reflux and heartburn you can see its affecting your daily eating and sleeping habits.
When GERD makes your daily life uncomfortable in this way, call your healthcare provider. Although GERD isnt life-threatening in itself, its chronic inflammation of the esophagus can lead to something more serious. You may need stronger prescription medications or even surgery to ease your symptoms.
How Much To Take
Liquid: a single dose is 30ml. Use the measuring cup that comes with the medicine to make sure you get the right amount.
Tablets: a single dose is 2 tablets. Chew the tablets or let them dissolve on your tongue.
If you need to, repeat this dose every 30 to 60 minutes. Do not take more than 8 doses in 24 hours.
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Garlic Onions And Spicy Foods
Spicy and tangy foods, such as onions and garlic, trigger heartburn symptoms in many people.
These foods wont trigger reflux in everyone. But if you eat a lot of onions or garlic, track your meals carefully in your diary. Some of these foods, along with spicy foods, may bother you more than other foods do.
Indigestion Remedies And Treatments
You can try some remedies for indigestion from home, while others require help from a doctor or specialist. A few flexible options will feature ways to accomplish them on your own and ways to include professional guidance from a health care professional.
Oral Medication
There are many different kinds of medicine that you can take to help relieve indigestion. Over-the-counter medications for indigestion include:
- Antacids to neutralize your stomach acid
- Proton pump inhibitors for frequent bouts of heartburn
Not all medications for indigestion are available over the counter. Some helpful drugs for more complicated instances of indigestion may require a prescription from your doctor. If you have indigestion due to a bacterial infection, your doctor will likely prescribe you antibiotics.
Because emotional stress can cause indigestion, getting mental health care may help ease your stomach pain. One type of psychological therapy that might prove beneficial is called talk therapy. In talk therapy, a therapist can help you find ways to deal with everyday stressors. You can set in-person appointments or use online services to try this route.
If you find that stress is causing your indigestion, meditation and other relaxation exercises might be worth trying, as well.
Adding Ginger to Your Diet
You can find both fresh ginger root and ginger supplements at most supermarkets and health food stores.
Drinking Water with Baking Soda
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Get Help For Your Acid Reflux Today
Acid reflux is incredibly bothersome & inconvenient. While diet & lifestyle changes may help, your best option to treat acid reflux is to speak with a doctor.
Schedule a virtual visit with one of EMD’s reputable doctors & get a personalized treatment plan that works.
Stop living with acid reflux. Get help, today!.
What Lifestyle Changes Help Heartburn
The best way to avoid heartburn discomfort is to prevent it. These lifestyle changes can make a big difference:
- Avoid trigger foods: Foods that promote heartburn include fried and fatty foods, caffeine, chocolate, spicy foods and carbonated beverages.
- Lose weight: Being overweight increases the likelihood that youll experience heartburn.
- Avoid eating late at night: Try to eat three hours before going to bed. At a minimum, you should wait at least one hour after eating.
- Elevate the bed: Physically lift the head of your bed about six to eight inches so youre sleeping on an incline. If thats not possible, use a wedge pillow for lift.
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco: These substances increase the chances of heartburn attacks.
- Wear looser clothing: Tight clothing can put pressure on your digestive system.
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