Treatment and other ways to get rid of Indigestion (Poor digestion, Dyspepsia)

Overview

Indigestion is often a sign of an underlying problem, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), ulcers, or gallbladder disease, rather than a condition of its own. Also called dyspepsia, it is defined as a persistent or recurrent pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen. Ongoing indigestion can lead food allergies, osteoporosis, anemia, degenerative disease and a debilitated immune system.

                                                                                

Symptoms

Gas, abdominal pain, a bloated feeling, rumbling noises, belching, nausea and possibly a burning feeling. Sometimes vomiting.

Causes

Poor dietary habits and stress are primary causes of this problem. Other causes include (1) overeating, eating too fast, not chewing food well, eating when fatigued. (2) Too much cooked food and not enough fresh food, not enough fiber in the diet. (3) Partaking of coffee, tea, soft drinks, alcohol, and using nicotine. (4) Eating foods you are allergic to. (5) Eating when nervous, distressed, angry, fearful, etc. (6) A lack of hydrochloric acid (achlorhydria), which means protein food will not be digested correctly. (7)A lack of digestive enzymes, which keeps vitamins and minerals from being used properly. (8) Other causes include peptic ulcers. Intestinal obstruction can lead to indigestion. If the liver, pancreas, or gallbladder are not functioning properly, it is more difficult for the body to digest food.

If food does not digest properly, it tends to ferment in the intestines. This produces hydrogen and carbon dioxide gas, which causes bloating and pain.

Treatment and other natural remedies to help you

A.Proper diet and nutrients to undergo in order to get rid of the problem.

1.Drink carrot and beet juice

2.A primary cause in older people is achlorhydria (low hydrochloric acid production). Take natural digestive aids, such as papain from papaya or bromolain from pineapple.

3.Papaya contains the digestive enzyme, called papain; and fresh pineapple contains bromelain. Or take papain and bromelain tablets. These are proteolytics which break down protein.

4.Calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D are needed.

5.If foods, such as cabbage, cucumbers, onions, radishes, or turnips are foods which cause indigestion, an aftertaste usually identifies the problem food.

6.Eat more live (raw) foods rather than primarily heavy cooked items. Fresh, raw foods are rich in enzymes that help digest and assimilate the nutrients. But those enzymes are destroyed when heated over 120^o F. All processed foods have been heated above 120^o F.

7.Be sure to include enough fiber in your meal. Otherwise you are more likely to have constipation, with consequent absorption of toxin backup into the system.

8.Include trace minerals in the diet (in Norway kelp and Nova Scotia dulse)

9.Obtain adequate vitamin and mineral supplementation. If you are having a difficult time absorbing your food, you need to maintain those nutrients all the more.

10.Some people have an excess of hydrochloric acid in their stomachs, and they do best eating a little protein, such as a few raw nuts, to start the meal. This gives the stomach acid something to work on right away.

B.Useful and helpful herbs to help you get relief

1.English bitters are very helpful. Take them before each meal. (These are bitter herbs)

2.To soothe the stomach, end a meal with a cup of chamomile tea.

3.Peppermint tea can relieve indigestion. The German government recommends it for this purpose. Angelica root tea is also good for this purpose. Take 2-3 tsp. dried herb, per cup of boiling water, or up to 1 tsp. of tincture. Other helpful herbs include coriander, marjoram, catnip, fennel and ginger. Mint tea calms the stomach.

C.The foods and other things to avoid to prevent indigestion

1.Avoid greasy foods or foods containing meat. Eliminate meat entirely. It is very hard to digest; and it frequently has bacteria and parasites.

2.Do not use alcohol, vinegar or caffeine. Avoid spicy, refined or greasy foods; these promote indigestion.

3.Food allergies, such as lactose (milk) intolerance, can also cause it; so locate and eliminate those foods from diet. Avoid foods which tend to bother you. Take the pulse test in order to determine yours.

4.Do not eat heavily of legumes, especially lentils, peanuts and soybeans. They contain a substance which slows down certain digestive enzymes.

5.Eat fewer gas-producing foods, such as cabbage and cauliflower. Avoid eating these food combinations together at the same meal: milk and sugar, fruits and vegetables, sugar and protein.

6.Do not drink out of bottles, cans or through straws. Do not chew gum or suck on hard candies. Do not drink carbonated beverages.

7.Avoid foods which have lots of air in them, such as carbonated drinks, beer, soufflés, omelets, whipped cream and ice cream.

8.Do not drink liquids with your meal; for this dilutes your stomach juices.