From time to time each person tends to get dyspepsia which is basically a mild discomfort in the upper belly or abdomen. Dyspepsia which is also known as indigestion affects millions of people on a daily basis. It s mostly caused by over eating, eating greedily or worse conditions such as stomach ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome or gastrointestinal disease. 

Medically dyspepsia is defined as difficult digestion that is sometimes accompanied with symptoms such as vomiting, heartburn, nausea and bloating. A treatment plan for the patient is usually determined by what causes the indigestion. Below are some of the treatment options available to patients.
Antacids, h-2-receptor antagonists and ppls (proton pump inhibitors)

These three type of drugs all work to reduce the levels of acid in the stomach. Doctors tend to prescribe antacids as the first drug which are usually over the counter and require no prescription. In spite of antacids working fast, h-2-receptor antagonists tend to last longer. However, h-2-receptor antagonists tend to have side effects such as nausea and diarrhea. The other drug option is ppls which is very effective for patients with dyspepsia and also suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease. 

They are stronger than h-2-receptor antagonists.

Prokinetics and antibiotics: This medication is usually prescribed to treat indigestion and works if the stomach empties slowly. Antibiotics on the other hand are used when indigestion is a result of peptic ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori.
Antidepressants: There are a lot of factorsthat cause dyspepsia. However, if the doctors cannot find any cause of a patient s indigestion and no other drug has been effective, they tend to prescribe antidepressants. This medication is used to lessen the level of discomfort that comes with dyspepsia thereby reducing pain.
Home remedies: There are a few studies on natural remedies that can help treat dyspepsia. One of the remedies is to use baking soda to neutralize the stomach acid. This remedy is said to be more effective than antacids. Then there is ginger which while not mentioned to be effective in treating indigestion, helps in relieving nausea and has no side effects. Also peppermint has an effect on how the gastrointestinal tract works and helps with irritable bowel syndrome. However, it does not have a large effect on dyspepsia.
Diet and lifestyle changes: Indigestion is mostly caused by what we put into our bodies or eat and one way of treating it is by controlling our diet. This will especially work if you have mild symptoms that do not occur often. It s advisable to consume foods that are low or reduced in fat content and to, avoid or limit alcohol, chocolates and caffeine. You should also get enough sleep.
A healthy lifestyle goes a long way in helping to relieve indigestion.

Dyspepsia - 4 Best Ways It Can Be Treated!

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) refers to a health condition wherein the stomach acids tend to leak backwards from your stomach into the oesophagus, causing the latter to experience a good amount of irritation, thereby triggering a number of other problems. GERD has a way of affecting people irrespective of their age or gender. Patients who suffer from asthma are at greater risks of encountering the problem of GERD, and some asthma medicines tend to worsen reflux symptoms. However, the effects are indeed two-way in this regard. Acid reflux worsens asthma symptoms by deeply affecting the lungs and airways. Allergic reactions might also be brought about as a result of such a condition.

Symptoms 

GERD is a condition that everyone has experienced at one point or the other in their lives. It generally happens when on burping you are left with a bit of an acid taste that lingers in your mouth, followed simultaneously by a case of heartburn. A sure way to ascertain this condition is to check for the following symptoms: 

Sudden and excessive rise in saliva
Acid regurgitation
Gums show inflammation
Sore throat that is chronic
Bad breath
Cavities
Encountering pain or difficulty while swallowing
Hoarseness or laryngitis
Chest pain
How can it be treated?

The prime treatment measure for GERD is to adopt necessary lifestyle changes so that you may nurture better health. In case you happen to be overweight, it is important that you look into the matter of weight loss. 

Medicines must be taken along with a lot of water, and doctors must ensure that prescribed medications do not actually worsen your heartburn.
Over-the-counter medications and antacids can be used every once in a while after meals, but it does one good to remember that the effects don t last for long. Side effects of excessive dosage of antacids include constipation or diarrhoea. 
Proton pump inhibitors might also be recommended in acute cases of GERD to reduce the total amount of acid that is manufactured in your stomach. H2 blocker is another antidote that aims at reducing the level of acid that is released in your stomach.
Anti-reflux surgery is also prescribed for those people whose symptoms persist despite a change in medications and lifestyle patterns. An endoscopic surgery is another important procedure that may be opted for in order to correct GERD.


GERD - 4 Different Ways It Can Be Treated!

How Acupuncture can help beat Indigestion?

Indigestion or dyspepsia may not be a disease in itself, but it may be symptomatic of digestive tract diseases such as peptic ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), etc. If you are among the individuals who suffer from acute bouts of belching, nausea, heartburns and discomfort after eating, take action before it becomes a nuisance to the quality of your life.

Mostly related to unhealthy dietary habits, clinical statistics show indigestion, especially functional dyspepsia, can be potentially cured by ancient Chinese acupuncture techniques. In the rare cases of research that has happened in this field, acupuncture showed greater effectiveness compared to the use of conventional medicinal drugs such as mosapride.

Causes of Indigestion

Indigestion may result from various factors that cause an imbalance in our body. Acupuncture relies on the ability of the acupuncturist to detect the cause of indigestion and treat it likewise. The major causes of indigestion include -

  An unhealthy diet including excess alcohol, excess caffeine, fatty foods etc.
  Chronic physiological conditions such as GERD.
  Stress eating

How acupuncture cures indigestion

  Acupuncture is an 8000-year-old technique that uses needles inserted at specific points in the body, depending on the ailment, to ensure a balanced flow of energy or qi. When this flow of energy is disrupted, we suffer from physiological disorders.
  In acupuncture, it is believed that indigestion results from increased energy flow to the liver that impairs the functioning of the spleen. Specific puncture points on the abdominal region help to redistribute this energy imbalance.
  Besides curing indigestion, acupuncture improves your overall digestive health by stimulating blood flow to the various organs related to digestion.
  The efficiency of acupuncture in curing indigestion has been verified by research to have substantial and long-lasting effects in combatting indigestion.
  Although acupuncture sessions can cause mild soreness and fatigue, it is often a better alternative to using medications regularly.
  The role of the acupuncturist is crucial in the treatment of indigestion as the efficiency of a session depends on the correct identification of the underlying cause.

If you are suffering from chronic indigestion that leaves you uncomfortable and irritated for large parts of the day, consulting an acupuncturist can relieve you from having to resort to medicines regularly. Acupuncture cures indigestion by focusing on your specific needs and improving the overall efficacy of the concerned organs and consequently our general wellness.


How Acupuncture Can Help Beat Indigestion?

Do you know not all foods can be consumed on an empty stomach? So, it is imperative that you should be aware of such foods and restructure your breakfast menu accordingly. Here is a list of foods to avoid on an empty stomach. 

Stay away from the following foods when you eat after a considerable gap

Citrus fruits: Citrus fruits contain fruit acids. When these acids enter an empty stomach, they can lead to heartburn. Hence, if eaten after a prolonged period post meal, a person is at risk of gastritis and stomach ulcers.
Soda: Consuming cold soda drinks on an empty stomach may cause damage to the mucosal membrane while reducing blood flow to the stomach. This may lead to a slow digestive process and difficulty in the abdomen.
Spicy foods: Spicy foods are known to cause irritation and damage to the digestive tract, and are especially not recommended for people who suffer from acid reflux issues since very spicy food leads to consequences such as acid reflux in the food pipe.
Cucumber and other green vegetables: Green vegetables and cucumber are rich in amino acids. If consumed on an empty stomach it may very well lead to pain and bitterness in the upper abdomen.
Tomato: Tomato is a fruit containing high levels of tannin. Tannin causes acidity in an empty stomach and leads to consequences and appearance of gastritis if frequently consumed in such a manner.
Fermented milk products: Fermented milk products such as yogurt typically come with loads of health benefits being full of probiotics. But if consumed on an empty stomach it can interfere with the balance of healthy bacteria as the hydrochloric acid produced tends to be destructive.
Sweets: Items such as candy or sweetmeats contain high levels of sugar and cause a sudden and sharp surge of insulin levels in the blood. Over a long period, this has a bad effect on the pancreas.
Products containing yeast: Edible items such as biscuits, puff pastry, vinegar and beverages such as beer and wine contain yeast which can significantly irritate the stomach and cause bloating.
So, be a little conscious and avoid consuming these items on an empty stomach since a little effort goes a long way. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Empty Stomach - 8 Food Types That You Must Avoid!

Bloating isn't a medical condition. It doesn't necessarily mean that a person has eaten too much. It can be a case of eating wrong food which has not been digested by the body. Bloating occurs when air and water get trapped inside the stomach or intestine. As a result, the stomach gets swollen well past its normal level.

Culprits of bloating:
Bloating can result from a number of cases. Fatty or junk foods are one of the biggest culprits of bloating. It hinders the digestion process and doesn't let the stomach empty on time. Carbohydrates too can cause bloating. Even carbonated drinks can play spoilsport. It creates bubbles in the stomach leading to indigestion and bloating. Some food items related to gas include cauliflower, lettuce, hard candy, beans, Brussels sprouts, broccoli etc. Apart from this, consumption of excessive junk food and soft drinks can lead to bloating.

Steps to avoid bloating:
The best way to avoid bloating is to refrain from bloat causing foods as mentioned earlier. If you wear dentures, it should be ensured that it fits properly. There are instances when excess air gets inside the stomach due to an improper fixture of denture leading to bloating. Eating or drinking slowly is another good way of staying away from bloating. When you eat slowly, there are fewer chances of extra air getting inside the stomach. In the case of beverage consumption, avoiding the straw is a good idea. This way the unwanted air cannot make their way inside the tummy and play foul.

Taking a small walk after every meal is another good way of staying away from bloating. This way the gas inside the tummy cannot rise above the surface. The practice of calming technique such as yoga, deep breathing and meditation also goes a long way in giving relief from bloating.

Some home remedies to get rid of bloating include:
a. A cup of ginger, lemon and honey in a cup of hot water once everyday
b. 1 cup of herbal peppermint tea freshly prepared in boiled water
c. In the case of regular stomach bloating, intake of one caraway seed on a daily basis fetches immediate results
d. Consumption of a cup of baked pumpkin twice a week
e. Consumption of warm lemon water before you start your day is another good way of keeping bloating at bay.

Bloating can also be a symptom of other intestinal related problems as well. If the general method of control and measured diet doesn't suffice, it is time to visit a doctor to find the underlying cause of your problem. Doctors perform a series of tests to understand the problem and prescribe the required medicine to control or cure the problem.

Bloating: The Causes & Solutions

Contaminated food is one of the most common sources of infections in the human body and so the stomach is one of the most commonly affected organs. Whether it is eating raw food or unhygienically prepared foods, the stomach has very high chance of getting infected than other body parts.

One of the most common causes of stomach infection is the norovirus also called as cruise ship virus. Spread through vomitus and faecal material, it is quite contagious and can affect large amounts of people in confined areas like a cruise ship. The common symptoms would include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, bloated feeling, abdominal pain (generalised or localised), fatigue, and tiredness.

On the brighter side, there are well-proven measures listed below which are simple and easy to follow that can help avoid stomach infection.

Restore bacterial balance: The good bacteria in the stomach are lost with the stomach flu and restoring it will help in managing the flu. A good amount of probiotics and fermented foods including yoghurt, sour curd, etc., will do wonders by restoring natural flora. Supplements can be taken if required, and these bacteria will restore the ability of the stomach to fight the virus.
Isolation and separation: If there is a close family member affected by the virus, ensure they are staying separately and all their clothing (bedding included) are maintained in an isolated manner. Children and elderly need extra protection, whether they are affected or are in the same household.
Cleaning methods

Since the virus spreads by contaminated faecal matter, vomitus and through surfaces, it is necessary to prevent the spread.

When in doubt, washing hands is very useful. Use soap and water instead of a hand wash. Staying away from picking nose and touching eyes are also useful.
The infected person s clothes should be washed separately in extra hot water and bleached to get rid of the virus.
Using the dishwasher or soaking the washed utensils in extra-hot water is a good way to get rid of the virus.
Surfaces like laptops need to be cleaned more regularly and rigorously
Steam cleaning of carpets is a good idea to get rid of the virus that may be locked there.
Avoid going out or being in close contact for about a week, as the virus needs that much time to clear out completely.
Food habits

Do not eat raw or uncooked foods
Drink loads of water, clear soups, sports drink and lime juice to replace lost fluid.
Eat whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables that are well-cooked to ensure you get the essential vitamins and minerals.
Following the above measures can help avoid the stomach flu and stay healthy.

Stomach Infection - 4 Ways to Avoid it!

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