You know that feeling of burning sensation; stomach ache, excessive burping, passing of gas, excessive passing of stool or coming up of bitter tasting food while burping, that is indigestion. While surfing on Google we are sure you might have come across the word dyspepsia, which is the medical term for indigestion. Indigestion is the most common ailment these days and in most cases it is nothing to worry about. In India we tend to eat a lot of spicy and oily food and most of us are used to it. So if you wake up at night with your stomach burning and too much burping you probably had too much to drink or ate too spicy food. Another cause of indigestion could also be some medication that you are having. To make things clear indigestion is not supposed to be confused with heart burn.
Indigestion is not independently a disease but it is a symptom of some underlying disease. It could be a symptom of Acid Reflux Disease (GERD), Gastric cancer, Pancreatic or bile duct ailments or peptic ulcers. However it may sometimes happen that your digestive system is weak and it could not digest the food you consumed and therefore it starts reacting.
What Causes Indigestion?
1. Eating Habits
People who live a poor lifestyle and do not take care of their eating habits are often prone to indigestion. Eating too much junk or fatty food or not following a proper diet or skipping meals. Exercising immediately after a meal can also cause digestion.
2. Overeating
One of the leading causes of indigestion is overeating, because this doesn’t give ample time for the body to digest the food and therefore results in indigestion.
3. Medication
Some particular medicines like Asprin, iBrufen or other painkillers, Thyroid medicines, hormonal pills like birth control, steroids, cholesterol and blood pressure medication or anti-inflammatory drugs can cause severe indigestion which is one of the main reasons doctors also prescribe digestion medication while prescribing certain medication.
4. Anxiety or Stress
Many people complain of indigestion if they are suffering with anxiety or under stress. Stress or anxiety causes Irritable Bowel syndrome or frequent motions too. Therefore students must have noticed that around their exam times there motions increase.
5. Lifestyle
people who smoke, take drugs or consume alcohol often report with indigestion.
Indications of Indigestion
Common indications of indigestion are :
- Severe or sharp pain in abdomen.
- Excessive belching (burping)
- Vomiting (in severe cases)
- Bloating in the stomach area
- Burning sensation in stomach area
- Black tarry stool could also be a symptom in severe and untreated cases.
Home Remedies for Indigestion
1. Lime Juice with Baking Soda
consume this combination with a glass of warm water
2. Lassi/buttermilk
This Indian drink, made through churning of curd and adding Rock Salt helps curing indigestion.
3. Yoga
A simple and useful remedy for people who suffer with indigestion is practising yoga positions like: Virasana, Padmasana and Mayurasana.
4. Breakfast
Never miss breakfast, since it is after almost 9-10 hours you are consuming food, acid levels in the stomach are high.
5. Avoid Eating if you feel full already
It could mean that your food isn’t digested and you will be unnecessarily burdening your digestive system with more food.
Ayurvedic View of Indigestion
In Ayurveda, indigestion is known as Ajirna . Ajirna means undigested food or partially digested food. We believe that Pitta or inner fire imbalance causes indigestion. It is the heat energy in every cell and predominantly lies in the stomach area. So any food that you intake that has excessive heat like spicy foods, tomatoes, vinegar, citrus fruits and their juices, fried foods, onions and garlic etc are known as Pitta aggravating foods. These foods cause excessive acid in the stomach which results in burning, pain and indigestion in stomach. Indigestion can also be cause by vata dosh and kapha dosh.
Types Of Indigestion Under Ayurveda
- Amajirna – vitiated kapha dosha.
- Vidagdhajirna – vitiated pitta dosha.
- Vishtabdhajirna – vitiated vata dosha.
Ayurvedic Home Remedies for Indigestion
1. Ginger
Chewing on a freshly cut piece of ginger after a meal will help digest food easily.
2. Amla
Amla helps in balancing the pH value of the stomach
3. Ajvain
You must have often been made to consume ajvain with a pinch of rock salt by your grandmother on case of stomach ache it is primarily a cure for indigestion and excessive flatulence.
Ayurvedic Medicines For Indigestion
1. Baidyanath Gaisantak Bati
It costs Rs 62.67 for a 100 tablets, and has all the necessary herbs like Ajvain, Sonth, Kala Namak(Rock Salt), Nimbus Ras etc, which makes it a perfect blend for curing indigestion. It has to be taken twice daily or as directed by your Vaidya
2. Baidyanath Ajvain Ark
It costs Rs 42.307 for a 250 ml, and has Carum Ajmoda or Ajvain in common terms. 30 ml- 60 ml is supposed to be taken or as directed by your Vaidya.
3. Baidyanath Hingwastak Churan
It costs Rs 134.10 for 120 gms, and has cumin powder, pepper and Ajvain which helps in this ailment. 3 gm is the prescribed dosages or as directed by your Vaidya.
4. Baidyanath Lavanbhaskar Churan
It costs Rs 70- 132.20, and has cumin powder, pepper, cardamom and other herbs which helps in treat indigestion and get rid of at least some discomfort caused by it. 1 spoon is the prescribed dosages or as directed by your Vaidya.
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