Globally, one out of three individuals may have suffered from chronic indigestion – that is not a disease, rather it is a condition related to your stomach. Dyspepsia, which is commonly known as indigestion, is a discomfort or pain in your belly due to unhealthy food habits, acid formation in the stomach lining and other factors. Occasional digestive disorder is normal, but long-term acidity or gastric problem whatever you eat or digest, can be a concern. Acid reflux, stomach heaviness, and loss of appetite are the common symptoms of dyspepsia.

In this blog, we will discuss the common causes of chronic indigestion and how to manage it on a priority basis to save stomach health.

What is dyspepsia, and its causes?

Indigestion is a digestive disorder that happens when your digestive system is not working properly.  It is also medically known as dyspepsia, which means reduced or slow digestion. 

Medically, the most significant cause of dyspepsia is excess stomach acid, which interferes with the stomach lining and can lead to stomach inflammation, abdominal burning sensation, and post-meal discomfort.

Peptic ulcers: This refers to the sores in the internal lining of your stomach and upper small intestine.  Peptic ulcer symptoms can include abdominal burning sensations and digestive system problems.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD):  It is a severe condition in your stomach when the acid that is produced in the stomach flows back through esophagus and that turns to chronic indigestion, stomach heaviness, and inflammation in the stomach lining.

Gastritis: This condition often develops due to infections, inflammation in the stomach or other diseases, or certain medications. It leads to bloating and gas, post-meal discomfort, and stomach pain.

H.pylori Infection: This means a type of bacteria that often affects your stomach with severe conditions such as ulcers and gastritis.

Chronic pancreatitis: This condition refers to a long-term disease related to the pancreas that affects your digestive system properly due to not making and delivering digestive enzymes, so that your body is unable to break down or absorb any nutrients from food.

Medications: Certain medications like antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medicines may affect your stomach lining and cause pain, abdominal discomfort, and gastritis.

Causes of increased dyspepsia among youths:

Anyone who frequently experiences chronic indigestion after eating feels discomfort or pain in their upper abdomen. Various causes may be responsible for this dyspepsia disease, 

• Unhealthy food habits without any scheduled time
• Having fast food excessively
• Fried and junk food regular basis
• Anyone who has food intolerance symptoms, such as food allergies, bloating, or many other conditions.
• Stress-oriented stomach upset due to breakups, educational stress, or family responsibility, and any other reasons.
• Lack of sleep, insomnia, or bad sleeping habits with night shifts or night parties can lead to bloating, gastric issues, and chronic indigestion.

What are the symptoms of dyspepsia in adults?

Indigestion symptoms may vary depending on the conditions, past health histories and many more. The common symptoms you may notice, 

• Excessive belching
• Loss of appetite
• Post-meal discomfort
• Abdominal burning sensation
• Sudden stomach cramps
• Feeling a burning sensation in the chest
• Stomach pain after eating
• Upper abdominal discomfort or pain (epigastric pain)
• Vomiting feeling frequently
• Burping
• Acid reflux

Functional digestive disorder or functional dyspepsia:

This type of dyspepsia is common at all ages and has no identifiable cause. Functional dyspepsia occurs with several symptoms, such as abdominal discomfort or pain, bloating and gas – though different people have different tendencies of symptoms depending on the severity of their indigestion. Many researches has expected that functional dyspepsia may have a connection between gut and brain, as the nervous system may be linked with gut health.

In what way does dyspepsia cause liver disease?

Certain dyspepsia or indigestion can be caused by chronic liver inflammation, liver cirrhosis, and liver disorders. Liver disorders can decrease bile secretion, leading to poor fat digestion and symptoms such as bloating, heaviness, and early fullness. Liver dysfunction may slow down the movement of food from the stomach, causing nausea and post-meal discomfort.

What is dyspepsia and its causes in pregnancy?

During pregnancy, lots of hormonal and physical changes may happen, which slow down the normal digestive system. Also growing uterus during pregnancy put pressures on the stomach and intestines. Some women may have changes in their diet during pregnancy, which may also lead to poor digestion. Getting symptoms like burping, a burning feeling in the stomach and chest, a feeling of discomfort after completing meals and trouble with digestion may arise, especially after 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Home remedies for indigestion: 

Some valuable tips with home remedies can be able to reduce the discomfort and the risks of indigestion.

• Ginger Tea: Ginger helps in reactive enzymes and reduces bloating, nausea and stomach discomfort.
• Ajwain (Carom Seeds): Chewing ajwain with a pinch of salt or taking it with warm water can quickly relieve gas and acidity.
• Warm Water: Have some light warm water after meals that can improve intestinal movement.
• Fennel Seeds (Saunf): Fennel relaxes the digestive tract and reduces gas, cramps, and heaviness after eating.
• Mint (Pudina):  Mint leaves or mint tea soothe the stomach lining and help relieve gastric discomfort.
• Cumin Seeds (Jeera Water): Have some jeera water if you feel any bloating or post – meal discomfort.
• Banana & Papaya:  Bananas help soothe the stomach lining while restoring essential potassium levels. Meanwhile, papaya is rich in natural enzymes that support smoother and more efficient digestion.

Lifestyle modifications for better digestion:

You may follow such lifestyle changes to improve digestion and reduce the chances of dyspepsia

• Do not eat all at once – break your meals into smaller portions throughout the day
• Eat home-made foods instead of fast foods or fried foods
• Maintain a scheduled eating habit and avoid a meal-skipping tendency
• A slow walk of 10 to 15 mins after having meals reduces indigestion or slow digestion
• Follow your wake-up time and sleeping time for a routine lifestyle
• Avoid being an alcoholic and quit smoking

Who commonly experiences chronic indigestion?

You are more likely to have a higher risk of indigestion if 

• You are addicted to chronic stress, anxiety, and insomnia
• You are a smoker or an alcoholic person
• Suppose your eating habit high in fast foods, fried and fatty foods
• You prefer carbonated drinks, spicy foods, and coffee more than normal

What are the risk factors of dyspepsia?

Mostly dyspepsia is curable and well-managed with certain medicines and healthy diet habits, but in some severe cases, some serious diseases may also occur. 

• Food intolerance symptoms
• Peptic ulcer symptoms
• Gallbladder stones
• H. pylori infection
• Stomach cancer

When to see a doctor?

See a medical professional if your problem persists or does not go away – gastric, acidity increases with time, or you are unable to eat sufficient. Extreme symptoms can be like,

• Blood in your stool (Rectal bleeding)
• Continue vomiting
• Unable to swallow food

If you are developing these conditions, do not wait; consult immediately with your doctor. Contact Nirnayan, the best laboratory chain across Kolkata, for any kind of screening, blood tests, stool tests, and urine tests.

A note from Nirnayan: 

Generally, chronic indigestion is manageable with medicines, and it reduces stomach heaviness and gastrointestinal symptoms. But if you feel chronic indigestion often, your diet, easy living, and lifestyle can change, leading to serious health issues. Though your digestive system is a complex study, experienced doctors and timely treatment can manage it with proper diagnosis. Get educated on what is dyspepsia and its causes. Following proper hydration, eating a balanced diet, and maintaining a scheduled lifestyle can help you to reduce the risks of dyspepsia.