Imagine sitting down to enjoy a delicious meal with your family or friends, only to experience uncomfortable and painful sensations in your stomach shortly after. This is the reality for millions of people globally who suffer from chronic indigestion. It's a condition that can affect anyone, regardless of their lifestyle or eating habits, and it can impact all other aspects of your life. 

 

The constant discomfort and unpredictability of chronic indigestion can take a toll not just on a person's physical health, but also on their emotional well-being. With the right support and strategies, people with chronic indigestion can find relief and get back to enjoying the foods they love. So if you're struggling with chronic indigestion, know that you're not alone and that there are ways to manage your symptoms and take control of your health. Constant indigestion could point to some underlying issues mentioned below:

 

Need all your wellness solutions in one place? A whole new world awaits just a click away.

 

Related Story: What Is The Role Of Acid In Our Stomach

 

Peptic Ulcers

Peptic ulcers are sores that form in the lining of the stomach or the small intestine. They can be caused by a number of factors, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, or the presence of the bacterium H. pylori. These ulcers can cause a range of symptoms, including abdominal pain, bloating, and nausea, which can be mistaken for indigestion.

What's particularly interesting about peptic ulcers is that they were once thought to be caused solely by stress or spicy foods. However, medical research has since debunked these myths, revealing that a complex interaction between various environmental and genetic factors can lead to ulcers.

 

Peptic ulcers can be diagnosed through endoscopy or other tests, and treatment options range from antibiotics to acid-suppressing medications. You can get your blood work done with Apollo 247 at exclusive rates with UR.Life.

 

Gallstones

Gallstones are hard deposits in the gallbladder, a small organ that stores bile produced by the liver. If these stones become lodged in the bile duct, they can cause discomfort and pain in the upper abdomen, which can easily be mistaken for indigestion.

 

Gallstones can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, obesity, and a diet high in cholesterol. They can even be triggered by rapid weight loss, which can cause an imbalance in the bile salts that leads to the formation of gallstones.

 

Gallstones can be diagnosed through an ultrasound or other imaging tests, and treatment options range from medications to surgery, depending on the severity of the condition.

 

GERD

Sudden pain in your chest and throat could be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease. People can mistake it for heartburn or acid reflux, but there are differences that you can spot (acid reflux is a temporary and occasional occurrence of stomach acid backing up into the oesophagus, while GERD is a chronic condition that requires medical intervention.)

 

GERD is a chronic condition where stomach acid flows back up into the oesophagus, causing irritation and inflammation. This can lead to a wide range of symptoms, including heartburn, chest pain, and difficulty swallowing. These symptoms may be mistaken for indigestion or dismissed as temporary discomfort, but they can have a significant impact on a person's quality of life.

 

Numerous factors can contribute to GERD’s development. Lifestyle habits such as smoking, obesity, and poor diet can play a role, as can genetics, medications, and underlying medical conditions. Certain foods and beverages, like spicy foods and carbonated drinks, can also trigger GERD symptoms and make the condition worse.

 

There are many effective treatment options available for GERD, including lifestyle changes like weight loss and avoiding trigger foods, medications and fixing your meals schedule. This is because the gap between two meals leads to acidity and this can further lead to the problem of GERD.

 

Related story: Healing Poor Gut Health: A Guide

 

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

It is a group of conditions that cause chronic inflammation in the digestive tract, leading to a range of uncomfortable and sometimes debilitating symptoms. These symptoms can include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, fatigue, and weight loss, and they can vary in severity and frequency depending on the type of IBD.

 

The causes of IBD are not fully understood, but researchers believe it's a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Triggers for IBD can include stress, certain foods, and changes in gut bacteria. Although IBD is not caused by stress or diet alone, these factors can exacerbate the symptoms.

 

It's a complex condition that can affect different people in different ways. There are two main types of IBD,Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and each has its own unique set of symptoms and challenges. Treatment for IBD typically involves a combination of medication, lifestyle changes, and sometimes surgery.

 

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is a condition that involves inflammation of the pancreas, which is a gland located behind the stomach that plays a crucial role in digestion and regulating blood sugar levels.

 

When the pancreas becomes inflamed, it can lead to a range of digestive symptoms, including chronic indigestion. This is because the pancreas produces digestive enzymes that are necessary for breaking down food in the small intestine. When the pancreas is inflamed, it may not be able to produce enough digestive enzymes, leading to difficulties in digesting food properly.

 

In addition to digestive symptoms, pancreatitis can also cause other symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Chronic pancreatitis is a long-term condition that can lead to permanent damage to the pancreas, which can further exacerbate digestive problems.

 

There are several risk factors associated with pancreatitis, including heavy alcohol consumption, gallstones, high levels of triglycerides in the blood, and certain medications. Treatment for chronic pancreatitis typically involves managing symptoms, making lifestyle modifications and opting for surgery to remove gallstones.

 

Related story: Fermented Foods To Improve Gut Health

 

Gastroparesis

It is a condition in which the stomach muscles do not function properly, leading to delayed emptying of the stomach contents into the small intestine. This can result in a range of digestive symptoms, including chronic indigestion.

 

When food stays in the stomach for an extended period, it can cause a feeling of fullness, bloating, and discomfort. These symptoms may be worsened after eating a meal or consuming foods high in fat or fibre. Gastroparesis can also lead to nausea, vomiting, and weight loss.

 

Several underlying conditions can cause gastroparesis, including diabetes, autoimmune disorders, Parkinson's disease, and certain medications. In some cases, the underlying cause may not be identified, and the condition is referred to as idiopathic gastroparesis.

 

Treatment for gastroparesis involves managing symptoms and addressing the underlying cause. This may include changes to the diet, like consuming smaller, more frequent meals and avoiding foods that are difficult to digest. Medications that stimulate stomach contractions may also be prescribed.

 

Related story: Red Flags: Symptoms You Should Not Ignore

 

Food intolerances

Food intolerance is a condition in which the body has difficulty digesting certain foods or food components. It can lead to chronic indigestion.

 

Common food intolerances include lactose intolerance, gluten intolerance (celiac disease), and fructose intolerance. Lactose intolerance is a condition in which the body has difficulty digesting lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. Gluten intolerance or celiac disease is a condition in which the body has an immune response to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Fructose intolerance is a condition in which the body has difficulty digesting fructose, a sugar found in fruits, vegetables, and some sweeteners.

 

When the body has difficulty digesting these foods or food components, it can lead to a range of digestive symptoms, including bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and chronic indigestion. These symptoms may occur shortly after consuming food or may be delayed for several hours.

 

Diagnosis of food intolerances typically involves eliminating the suspected food or food component from the diet and observing if symptoms improve. In some cases, diagnostic tests such as lactose intolerance breath tests or gluten intolerance blood tests may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

 

Treatment for food intolerances involves avoiding specific foods. If you do not know which foods are triggering these responses, it can be best to get a comprehensive health risk assessment that helps you understand your digestive system better. You may need to make dietary changes following the results. In some cases, digestive enzyme supplements may be prescribed to aid in digestion.

 

Take a health risk assessment here.

 

Functional dyspepsia

It is a chronic disorder of the upper digestive tract that involves recurrent or persistent symptoms of upper abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating, early satiety, and nausea.

 

The cause of functional dyspepsia is not entirely clear, but it is thought to be related to a combination of factors, including abnormalities in the functioning of the muscles and nerves in the stomach, inflammation of the stomach lining, and altered processing of sensory information from the stomach to the brain.

 

Treatment for functional dyspepsia involves managing symptoms and addressing any underlying factors that may be contributing to the condition. This may include lifestyle changes such as stress reduction, dietary modifications, and medication, such as proton pump inhibitors, antacids, or prokinetic agents.

 

Explore recipes here

 

Tips to Manage Indigestion

1. Identify and avoid trigger foods

Certain foods can trigger indigestion and worsen symptoms. Common culprits include spicy, fatty, and fried foods, as well as caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated beverages. Identifying and avoiding trigger foods can help reduce symptoms of indigestion.

 

2. Eat smaller, more frequent meals

Eating large meals can put additional stress on the digestive system, leading to indigestion. Eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day can help reduce the burden on the digestive system and alleviate symptoms of indigestion.

 

3. Practice good eating habits

Eating too quickly, not chewing food thoroughly, and eating late at night can all contribute to indigestion. Practising good eating habits, such as taking time to eat and chewing food thoroughly, can help improve digestion and reduce symptoms of indigestion.

 

4. Stay hydrated

Drinking plenty of water can help keep the digestive system functioning properly and prevent indigestion. It is recommended to drink at least eight glasses of water a day.

 

5. Manage stress

Stress can contribute to indigestion by altering the functioning of the digestive system. Managing stress through activities such as meditation, deep breathing, or exercise can help reduce symptoms of indigestion.

 

Need all your wellness solutions in one place? A whole new world awaits just a click away.

 

Related story: Healthy Ways To Strengthen Your Immune System

 

When to Seek Medical Attention

If indigestion persists despite these measures or if symptoms are severe, it is important to seek medical attention. Chronic indigestion may be a sign of an underlying medical condition that requires treatment.

 

For a comprehensive analysis of your health, it is advisable to take our Health Risk Assessment (HRA) today or head to UR.Life OHC for expert advice. Our HRA comprises different health tools that will help us assess your health condition and craft individualised treatment plan for you. 

Health Risk Assessment offers health risk status for Diabetic, Cardiac, Exercise, Sleep, Nutrition & Stress. Our recommendations are based on the risk score to control and manage health hazards, which distinguishes us from our competition. With suggestions of balanced nutritional meal plans for organisations, employees are provided with:

• Dietary Plans
• Nutritional Audits
• Personalised Health Advice
• Expert nutritionists and doctors with personalised recommendations for diet and lifestyle for optimal health.

Click here to learn more about the UR.Life Corporate Wellness programme and unlock better health.