How to treat indigestion

Before we look closely at indigestion treatments, it will be good to understand what indigestion is and why it happens.

What is indigestion?

We all naturally produce stomach acid, which is an essential part of our digestive system. However, sometimes it can cause unwanted effects to certain parts of our digestive tract, such as:

• the lining of the food pipe (known as the oesophagus)
• the lining of the stomach
• the lining of top part of the small intestine (known as the duodenum)

Whilst the stomach lining is usually able to withstand the acid it contains, excess acid may sometimes affect the lining, or the lining may have increased sensitivity to acid. Whatever the cause, the lining can break down and symptoms of indigestion can result. Stretching your stomach lining, possibly due to too much food in the stomach, may also bring on indigestion symptoms.¹ These symptoms are usually described as follows...

Recognising the symptoms of indigestion

The common symptoms are:

• Pain in the lower chest, abdomen stomach
• A  bloated feeling (when your stomach feels full or bursting)
• A buildup of gas - resulting in the need to burp or pass wind
• Nausea or vomiting
• A loss of appetite

In addition to indigestion, some people may also experience heartburn. This is a burning pain usually felt behind the breastbone and/or in the chest.

Causes of indigestion

There are several causes of this often painful, but rarely serious, condition.  

Food related causes: Although it's possible that indigestion can occur at almost any time, it often (but not always) comes on after a meal. This is perhaps unsurprising, since eating food stimulates the digestive process and stomach acid is produced in response. Notable food related causes are:

• Eating irregular meals, big meals, quickly or on the run. If you eat on the run, without resting to give your food time to digest, it may result in indigestion.
• Eating big meals late in the evening. Eating late at night can mean that the food you've eaten doesn't have time to digest fully before you go to bed. Your stomach may therefore continue to produce stomach acid when you are lying down.
• Eating certain foods that trigger indigestion, such as fatty foods

Medicine associated causes: Some medications have indigestion as a noted side effect, e.g. some NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) at high doses. These can have an impact on your digestive tract and may result in indigestion.¹

Carrying a little too much weight: Increased pressure on your stomach can increase the likelihood of indigestion.

Stress: When stress-related tension builds up, it may contribute to health problems such as indigestion.

Drinks: Caffeinated and carbonated drinks are both associated with increasing the chances of indigestion. And alcohol can affect your stomach lining, causing indigestion, especially if you have too much to drink.²

Helicobacter pylori infection: Usually known simply as H. pylori, this bacteria is commonly found in the stomach. It is associated with stomach diseases, such as stomach ulcers. Although it usually doesn't cause any symptoms, it can cause indigestion in some people.¹

 

Help Prevent indigestion – lifestyle factors

If you suffer the symptoms of indigestion, you may well have already tried various treatments. Before we go on to look at the different treatment options, it's advisable to take a look at your lifestyle and how it may be contributing to the problem:

• Try to avoid food and drink that can result in indigestion, such as cutting down on fatty and spicy foods and alcohol. Different people can have different food and drink triggers of indigestion. By keeping a log of what you eat and drink, could help you find out what your trigger is.
• Aim to eat at times when you are not in a hurry, and not too late at night. Eat at least two to three hours before going to bed, if you possibly can
• Eat several small meals instead of one or two large ones
• Check your weight; and if you think you could be carrying a little too much, cut down on high calorie foods, like those high in fat and sugar. Your doctor, dietician or nutritionist will be able to offer you good dietary advice. Try also to get regular, appropriate amounts of exercise, which can help you lose some weight
• Try stress-busting techniques to de-stress yourself. After a busy day, a nice hot bath, reading or listening to music can help you to relax. Herbal tea, rather than alcohol, could prove to be a more relaxing choice of nightcap before going to bed
• If you are in doubt about what might be causing your indigestion, speak to your doctor. They will be able check any current medication you may be taking and to assess whether indigestion may be a side effect. They may be able to adjust the medication accordingly, or provide further advice. Your doctor can also diagnose a hiatus hernia, if you have one, and provide appropriate advice and treatment.

 

Treating indigestion

There are many potential treatments for indigestion. You may already have tried or be familiar with some of them.  Several different treatments can be bought over-the counter at pharmacies or other retail outlets, whilst others may require a doctor's prescription.

 

For relief of indigestion

If you have mild or moderate and/or occasional indigestion, the following treatments can be considered:

Non medicinal remedies

• These treatments include tea made from fennel or anise seeds, baking soda dissolved in water, or simply sipping hot water.
• Chewable liquorice and chewing gum may also help if chewed after a meal. This is because they can stimulate extra saliva production, which can help wash away acid that may have come up into the oesophagus.

Many indigestion sufferers however, need the reassurance of treatments that have been scientifically proven or recommended by a pharmacist, doctor or other healthcare professional. This category of treatments includes:

Simple antacids

These treatments are frequently used for mild episodes of indigestion. They contain substances such as calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate or aluminium hydroxide, which neutralise stomach acid.² They can be bought in various formats such as tablets, chewable tablets and liquid preparations. Supermarkets and grocery shops often sell them, as well as pharmacies.

Alginates or "rafting agents"

Gaviscon Extra is a well-known example of this type of treatment.  Gaviscon Extra contains an ingredient called sodium alginate, which is the rafting agent, together with calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate.

• The sodium alginate quickly forms a protective layer, or raft, once it has made contact with stomach acid. The raft then rises on top of the stomach contents and creates a strong physical barrier that helps to prevent stomach acid from coming into contact with the sensitive lining of the oesophagus.
• Calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate in Gaviscon Extra work to neutralise stomach acid quickly to help prevent further pain

Gaviscon Extra offers a long-lasting effect.

You can buy Gaviscon Extra over-the-counter from pharmacies.

Both indigestion and heartburn are common in pregnant women. Reassuringly, if you are pregnant and suffer from either of these conditions, you can consider taking Gaviscon.

 

For persistent indigestion

If your indigestion is persistent and/or severe you should see your doctor. These treatments are available for you to buy, or they could be prescribed by your doctor when you visit to the surgery:

H2-receptor antagonists

These products, also known by the names H2- antagonists and H2-blockers, work by turning off chemical receptors in the cells that produce acid in your stomach wall. So they stop or greatly reduce the production of stomach acid. They can be bought over-the-counter in pharmacies, but may also be prescribed by a doctor.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)

PPIs work in a slightly different way to H2-antagonists. PPIs block the acid pumps that are the source of acid in the stomach, again preventing it from being produced. You'll find that some PPIs can be bought over-the-counter, while others are only available on prescription.

Treating H. pylori infection

Your doctor can carry out a test to determine if you have H. pylori infection, since it may be a cause of your indigestion symptoms. Treatment to clear this infection usually involves triple therapy - treatment with three medications: two different antibiotics and a PPI (proton pump inhibitor). One course of triple therapy is usually enough to clear the infection, but sometimes a further course may be needed.[3]

If you are ever in any doubt about your indigestion symptoms, or you are unsure that you are suffering from indigestion, always consult a doctor or other healthcare professional for advice.

Indigestion and heartburn are closely linked. So if you would also like to know about heartburn, its causes and treatments please click on this Link.

 

All information presented is not meant to diagnose or prescribe. Gaviscon Extra Oral Suspension and Gaviscon Extra Chewable Tablets contain sodium alginate, sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate. Always read the label. If symptoms do not improve after 7 days, consult your doctor or pharmacist.