Having indigestion? Here’s what to do

If you’re experiencing indigestion, you can do a few things to help ease the discomfort. First, it’s important to identify what may be causing your indigestion.

Common causes include eating too much, eating too fast, consuming spicy or fatty foods, drinking alcohol, and smoking. Once you know what’s triggering your indigestion, you can take steps to avoid those trigger foods and habits.

1. Avoid Trigger Foods and Habits
Some foods and habits can trigger indigestion symptoms for some people. Common trigger foods include spicy foods, fatty foods, citrus fruits, tomatoes, chocolate, caffeine, and alcohol. If you notice that certain foods worsen your indigestion, try avoiding them or eating them in smaller quantities.

In addition to triggering foods, certain habits can contribute to indigestion. For example, smoking can irritate the stomach lining and lead to indigestion symptoms. And eating too much or too fast can cause uncomfortable bloating and indigestion. If you’re prone to indigestion, try to eat smaller meals more slowly and avoid overeating.

2. Try Over-the-Counter Medications
If lifestyle changes and avoiding trigger foods doesn’t help, several over-the-counter medications can provide relief from indigestion symptoms. Antacids like Tums and Rolaids can help neutralize stomach acid and provide quick relief. H2 blockers like Pepid and Zantac can also help reduce stomach acid production. And if you’re experiencing frequent or severe indigestion, your doctor may prescribe a proton pump inhibitor like Prilosec or Nexium.

If you’re looking for a more natural way to ease your indigestion, you may want to try taking digestive health supplements. A digestion supplement can help to improve your overall digestive health and may make it easier for your body to break down and absorb the nutrients from your food. Various digestive supplements are available, so it’s important to talk to your doctor or pharmacist to find one that’s right for you. If you have any underlying medical conditions, it’s also essential to ensure that the supplement you’re taking won’t interact with any medications you’re currently taking.

3. Make Some Simple Lifestyle Changes
A few simple lifestyle changes can help alleviate indigestion symptoms for some people. For example, try not to lie down immediately after eating and avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes that can pressure your stomach. Additionally, try elevating your head and shoulders while you sleep to help keep stomach acid from creeping into your esophagus.

4. See Your Doctor If Symptoms Are Severe
If you’re experiencing severe indigestion symptoms that don’t improve with lifestyle changes or over-the-counter medications, be sure to see your doctor. Indigestion can sometimes be a symptom of a more serious underlying condition like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or stomach ulcers. So it’s essential to get checked out by a doctor if you have frequent or severe indigestion symptoms.

Having indigestion can be uncomfortable and annoying. But there are things you can do to find relief. By identifying your triggers and making simple lifestyle changes, you can help reduce the frequency and severity of your indigestion symptoms. And if those don’t help, several over-the-counter medications can provide relief. Be sure to see your doctor if your symptoms are severe or if they’re accompanied by other symptoms like weight loss, difficulty swallowing, or blood in your stool.