Indigestion Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Indigestion is a disorder of the digestive system which includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus. Whereas the digestive system functions to receive food, digest, absorb nutrients, and dispose of the rest.
The digestive system is a fairly extensive part of the body. Apart from the initial and final ends of the digestive system, there are several other organs that are also associated with the digestive system –such as the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.
Common digestive disorders include GERD ( gastroesophageal reflux disease ), IBS ( irritable bowel syndrome ), and IDB ( inflammatory bowel disease ).
Symptoms
Symptoms of indigestion are quite varied, including:
- sour taste in the mouth
- sore throat, heartburn, stomach pain,
- hard to swallow
- burning sensation in the throat
- stomach cramps
- diarrhea
- bloated stomach
- constipation
- Bleeding CHAPTER
- burp often
- weak
- no appetite
- weight loss
Reason
Indigestion can be caused by various diseases, such as:
- Gastritis
- dyspepsia
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Intestinal infections
- Appendix
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Pancreatitis
- Colon cancer
Diagnosis
In the process of determining the diagnosis of indigestion, the doctor will find out the cause. Doctors can also think of possible diagnoses from the history and physical examination.
Investigations that can help doctors confirm a diagnosis such as blood tests, stool culture tests, blood culture tests, X-rays with enemas, CT or MRI scans, endoscopy or colonoscopy.
Treatment
Treatment for indigestion depends on the cause. Lifestyle changes can relieve symptoms. The use of drugs will usually help solve the problem. Sometimes invasive measures such as surgery are needed to treat digestive disorders.
Prevention
Preventing digestive disorders can be done by living a healthy lifestyle. Here are some efforts that can be made:
- avoid eating too much in one meal
- don’t eat too fast
- avoid high-fat foods
- Avoid consuming too much alcohol and caffeine
- consume enough fiber
- drink a lot of water
- avoid or stop smoking
- Avoid overusing pain medications
- avoid stress
- maintain an ideal weight
- maintain cleanliness