Dear Readers,
Maude L., 74, writes from Trelawny about her persistent, aggravating stomach indigestion. She often has a 'bitterish' taste in her mouth and experiences abdominal puffiness, gas, and sometimes 'bad feelings' in the stomach. She also belches a lot. This has been going on for years and seems to be worsening. Some foods just don't agree with her, like rice and curry.
Ms. Maude has drunk a lot of 'white medicine (antacids and anti-gas medicine) in her time but the problem persists. She says that the loud belches can be embarrassing.
Indigestion is a very common disorder experienced by men and women alike. The term 'indigestion' does not really describe a single disorder, but refers to a number of uncomfortable symptoms associated with the gastro-intestinal tract including:-
• Mild abdominal burning sensation
• Bloating
• Acidic taste in the mouth
• Nausea
• Gas
Indigestion is also termed Dyspepsia and can be experienced in a variety of situations. e.g. After eating a diverse mixture of foods at a Christmas party, over imbibing alcohol, skipping meals and not eating for many hours, and after taking nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs, e.g. volterin, brufren, cataflam, indomelhacin and others for arthritis, headaches, menstrual cramps, sports injuries or for a variety of other painful conditions.
Burning sensation
Indigestion is also a symptom of acid reflex where the sphimeter muscles providing what should be a one-way valve from the oesophagus into the stomach does not function properly, allowing acid from the stomach to run back up into the oesophagus, especially when lying flat in bed at night, causing a painful, burning sensation and even wheezing and coughing. This condition can be treated with pump Inhibitions e.g. Lanzap, pantecta, Omeprazole or with H2receptor antagonists e.g Zanta, tagamet, pepcid, axid which decrease the amount of acid produced by the stomach. The drug motilium, which enhances bowel peristalsis (contractions) can also help keep the acid away from the oesophagus.
Many people find that certain foods do not agree with them. Some people may be sensitive to these foods and avoiding them can make a real difference to the person's comfort.
With many people, stress, overwork, anxiety and depression, affect how food is digested. These conditions affect activity in the gastro-intestinal tract. Learning to deal adequately with stressful life situations can help settle indigestion.
Gall bladder disease diabetes, pancreatitis and gastro Intestinal cancers can all present with Indigestion (dyspepsia) which is why persistent indigestion should be properly investigated, beginning with a complete check-up at the family practitioners office. If no serious disease is present then over the counter medications can be used to some good affect.
Antacids such as ripon, maalax, dica, mist magtri and others will help to settle heartburn while compounds should also bring some relief from discomfort. These drugs would include: Gas X, Ovol tablets, Dica, Rioplus, Maalox Plus (the "plus" being the simethecone). Precription drugs such as Zanta, Axid, Loses, Panteata, etc., can be tried when over the counter medications fail to help.
Persons with a sensitive digestive tract should try to avoid the following foods:
• tomatoes
• peppers
• cabbage
• beans
• onions
• refined carbohydrates
• fried foods
• Junk foods
• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Carbonated drinks
Aloe Vera juice (or tablets/capsules) can help resolve burning sensation in the stomach. Ginger also aids digestion and can reduce nausea and bad feelings. Peppermint is also effective in treating indigestion.
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