Reduce stress to minimise indigestion
Indigestion refers to the discomfort experienced in the upper abdomen. It includes the feeling of fullness – especially after food – pain, burning, bloating and, in some cases, nausea, said Dr Vincent Lai, a gastroenterologist at the Asian Centre for Liver Diseases and Transplantation.
Lifestyle factors such as stress, overeating, smoking and drinking excessive alcohol may bring on such symptoms.
Through the connection between the brain and the gut, termed the brain-gut axis, stress may alter gut function and make it more sensitive, he explained.
People would be familiar with this concept through the feeling of “butterflies in the stomach” before a stressful event such as a race or test.
Overeating causes stretching of the stomach, so the person feels full and bloated.
SMOKING, ALCOHOL ARE CAUSES
Smoking and consumption of alcohol relax the lower oesophageal sphincter, which then allows stomach acid to flow back into the oesophagus to cause symptoms of indigestion.
Excessive alcohol intake can cause inflammation of the gastric lining too, he cautioned.
Occasionally, medications such as antibiotics or painkillers, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), may also cause indigestion.
In other cases, indigestion is associated with digestive disorders such as peptic ulcers, gastritis, gallstones or gastric cancer, he said.
With no randomised, controlled studies showing the efficacy of coix seeds on indigestion, Dr Lai does not prescribe the herb.
Instead, treatment is targeted at the underlying causes of indigestion
EAT AND DRINK IN MODERATION
If the indigestion is caused by the production of excessive stomach acids, a group of oral medications known as proton pump inhibitors, which inhibit the secretion of acid, is usually prescribed by doctors.
If a patient’s symptoms are mild, simple over-the-counter antacids can help, he added.
If symptoms persist for more than four weeks, however, or if a patient has a strong family history of cancer, he should consult a doctor.
Also, if there are alarming symptoms such as weight loss, waking up at night because of discomfort or anaemia, patients may benefit from having a gastroscopy to rule out significant problems such as an ulcer or cancer.
In general, people should eat and drink in moderation and quit smoking, Dr Lai advised.
Source: The Straits Times
Category: Features, Wellness and Complementary Therapies
