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#BlogchatterA2Z- “I”- Indigestion: causes, symptoms & homeopathic treatment!

Indigestion: causes, symptoms & homeopathic treatment!
Indigestion : causes, symptoms & homeopathic treatment!

Hi everyone! 

It is day 9 of #BlogchatterA2Z and as alphabet “I”, I am talking about another common disease and its homeopathic treatment aspect, as “I”, I am talking about “Indigestion”. What is indigestion? What are causes, types and symptoms? What is the scope of homeopathy in treating indigestion symptoms? Read the post to know more! 

What is indigestion?  

Indigestion is a general term that defines a state of upset stomach and collective symptoms of disturbed GIT (Gastro intestinal tract). Indigestion itself is not a disease, it is more a collection of various gastric symptoms like fullness of abdomen after eating, flatulence (gas) and pain in stomach. Indigestion is also called “Dyspepsia” in medical terminology.  

Indigestion is a common health issue that affects large number of populations worldwide. According to research data , globally the prevalence of uninvestigated dyspepsia varies between 7% 45%, depending upon definition used and geographical location. 

Poor eating habits and other lifestyle factors such as lack of exercise, smoking and alcohol are usual causative factors for indigestion.  

In most of the cases, Indigestion symptoms go away on its own. Modifying lifestyle factors (diet, exercise) gives great result in relieving indigestion and other associated digestive symptoms.  

Types of indigestion 

There are mainly two types of indigestion:  

  • Acute indigestion  
  • Chronic indigestion  

Acute indigestion  

Acute indigestion means suffering from one or more symptoms of gastric discomfort, such as distention and fullness of abdomen after eating, pain in stomach, nausea and vomiting, since a short duration. The most common cause of acute indigestion is eating spicy, junk food (in large quality). The symptoms of acute indigestion get recovered within 3-4 days and did not require any specific treatment. Home remedies and other lifestyle measures (eating light diet) provide good results in treating indigestion symptoms.  

Chronic indigestion  

As the name suggested, chronic indigestion means suffering from a state of general gastric discomfort since long time. Chronic indigestion is usually caused by any serious gastric disease like pancreatitis, Celic disease or stomach cancer. 

 In few cases, it could be result of prolonged poor lifestyle factors (diet, exercise, smoking) that affects gastric system badly and caused symptoms of chronic indigestion. For treating chronic indigestion symptoms, it is very important to know the underlying cause of it. A proper diagnosis (may include lab testing and other screening measures) is very important for treating chronic indigestion symptoms.  

Causes of indigestion 

Causes of indigestion
Causes of indigestion

Image source : emedihealth.com  

Here are some common causes and lifestyle factors that caused indigestion symptoms. Such as:  

  • Poor eating habits that include eating too much spicy and junk food, eat large quantity of meal (at one time), eating in a hasty manner (improper chewing), lying down after having meal etc.  
  • Follow a sedentary life style (lack of physical activity and exercise)  
  • Excessive smoking and alcohol consumption  
  • Being over weight  
  • Higher stress level (anxiety and too much worrying)  
  • History of taking pain killers and NSID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibrufen) for long duration.  
  • As a symptom of any other underlying gastric or systemic disease such as pancreatitis, stomach cancer or celiac disease.  

Symptoms 

Here are some common symptoms of indigestion.  

  • Distention and fullness of abdomen after eating.  
  • Gas (flatulence)  
  • Fullness after eating a little quantity of meal 
  • Belching (sour eructation)  
  • Pain in abdomen  
  • A general state of gastric discomfort that involves gurgling sounds in abdomen and uneasiness 
  • Nausea and vomiting (may present occasionally)  
  • Diarrhea or constipation (depending upon the cause of indigestion)  
  • Heartburn (sometimes present as an associated symptom)  
  • Other systemic symptoms like burning in gastric tract, soreness around rectum (depending upon cause of indigestion) 

Thing to remember 

Indigestion and heartburn are two different disease and require separate set of treatment. But in many cases of indigestion, heartburn present as an accompanying symptom and Vica versa is also true.  

Prevention and general treatment  

As I had mentioned earlier, Indigestion is not a serious disease in most of the cases. Prognosis is very good and improving your lifestyle makes a major difference in prevention and treatment of indigestion symptoms. Here are some important lifestyle factors that need to take in consideration.  

  • Eat fresh, nutritious, preferably homemade meal. Add more fruits, vegetables and whole grains in your diet. Avoid eating spicy, oily, junk and outside food.  
  • Eat small meals (4-6) throughout the day, avoid eating large quantity of meal at one time.  
  • Chew your food properly. Avoid eating in hasty manner.  
  • Take a walk of 10-15 minutes after lunch and dinner. Avoid lying down after eating.  
  • Take your last meal of day (dinner) at least 2-3 hours before sleeping.  
  • Do any kind of regular exercise (walking, biking or workout) and try to maintain an ideal weight.  
  • Limit (and better leave) the consumption of smoking and alcohol.  
  • Manage your stress level with stress relieving techniques such as mediation and yoga.  
  • Sleep on time and follow a healthy bed time routine.  
  • Avoid overuse of pain killers. Use painkillers only when it needed absolutely.  

All these lifestyle factors play a great role in management and prevention of indigestion symptoms. These factors are not only improving your gastric health but improve your overall health and general well being too.  

Homeopathic treatment  

Homeopathy has a great scope in treating indigestion and other associated gastric symptoms. When symptoms properly, patient get prompt and quick relief.  

Here are some great gastric remedies that provide great results in treating indigestion symptoms.  

Nux vomica  

Nux vomica 30
Nux vomica 30

Image source: distacart.com 

Nux vomica is head (and king) of all gastric remedy. Nux Vomica works great in treating all kinds of gastric symptoms such as constipation, fullness in abdomen after eating, belching etc. It works best when patient has a history of living a sedentary lifestyle that involves eating of too much spicy and oily food, lack of exercise. Nux Vomica also work great when patient has a long history of consuming pain killers and allopathic medicine.  

Nux vomica work best in lower potency (30) and should be given at bed time to get best results.  

Dose: 30 c potency, 2-3 times a day  

Carbo veg, China and Lycopodium  

These three-medicine called “Trio of flatulence” (means they give great result in treating gas and other gastric symptoms).  

Carbo veg 

Carbo veg 30
Carbo veg 30

Image source: distacart.com 

Carbo veg is indicated when there is presence of flatulence in upper part of abdomen. Along with flatulence, patient has burning (in upper part of abdomen) and sore eructation as most prominent symptom. Patient is chilly but had a great desire for fanning.  

Dose: 30C potency, 5-6 globules, 2-3 times a day.

China officinalis

China officinalis 30
China officinalis

Image source: distacart.com 

China is indicated when flatulence in present in center of abdomen. Patient has a pain and discomfort around the naval. Patient usually has weakness, anemia and lower vitality.  

Dose: 30C potency, 5-6 globules, 2-3 times a day.

Lycopodium clavatum

Lycopodium clavatum 30
Lycopodium clavatum

Image source: distacart.com 

When flatulence (gas) is present in lower part of abdomen, lycopodium works best. Also, there is feeling of fullness, after eating small quantity of meal. Patient has a craving for sweet food and usually have fat deposition on lower part of body. 

Dose: 30C potency, 5-6 globules, 2-3 times a day.

important tip: do not take Lycopodium for longer duration. take it only for 1-2 weeks, then stop it. if problem is still persist, take single dose of Lycopodium 1 M, once in a week.

Lycopodium is a deep acting remedy. it is not advisable to take it for longer duration.

Homeopathic combination 

Bio chemic combination no. 25 

SBL's bio chemic combination 25
SBL’s Bio-chemic combination 25

Image source: distacart.com 

This is one of the safest bio chemic combination to treat indigestion and other associated symptoms like heartburn, sour eructation and flatulence. It contains Naturm sulph 3X, Natrum phos 3x and silicea 3x.  

Dose: 4 tablets 3 times a day. Use half of adult dose in children.  

Dr. Reckeweg’s R5 stomach drops 

Dr. reckeweg's R5 stomach drops
Dr Reckeweg’s R5 stomach drops

Image source: distacart.com 

This one is another great homeopathic combination that help is treating indigestion and other associated symptoms like constipation, dyspepsia and flatulence. It contains carbo veg, arsenic album, lycopodium and many other indicated gastric remedies and give good results in treating digestive disturbances.  

Dose: 10-15 drops three times a day. (for adults and kids above the age of 12 years) 

Do not use this combination in kids below the use of 12 year.  

Schwabe’s dizester digestive tonic 

Schwabe's dizester digestive tonic
Schwabe’s dizester digestive tonic

Image source: distacart.com 

This is a great digestive tonic from Schwabe. It improves digestion, bloating and flatulence. It also has an anti-spasmodic action. It contains Nux moschata Q, Asafoetida Q and many other indicated gastric remedies and work great in relieving indigestion symptoms.  

Dose: 1-2 teaspoon 2-3 times daily. May repeat frequently (½ teaspoon, every 1-3 hours) in acute conditions.  

So, these were some great homeopathic remedies for indigestion. What are your thoughts? Please share with me.  

This is all for now.  

As next with “J”, I will talk about “Joint inflammation and homeopathic treatment”. Stay tuned to learn more.  

Read the previous posts of the series here: 

A: Acidity: causes, symptoms & homeopathic treatment  

B: baby colic : causes, symptoms & homeopathic treatment 

C: Common childhood injuires: causes, symptoms & homeopathic treatment! 

D: Diarrhea: causes, symptoms & homeopathic treatment! 

E: Ear pain, causes, symptoms & homeopathic treatment 

F: “Fever”- causes, symptoms & homeopathic treatment! 

 G: “Gingivitis”: causes, symptoms & homeopathic treatment! 

H: “Hair loss”: common causes, symptoms & homeopathic treatment!  

This post is a part of Blogchatter A2Z Challenge

Disclaimer: the post is written for educational purpose only. did not intend to cure, treat or diagnose any disease condition. always consult your doctor before making any significant changes to your medication or starting any new medication.

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Cooking with kids   

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15 Comments

  • Pr@Gun

    Indigestion is a very common problem with irregular eating habits, junk food consumption, stess levels and lack of physical activities. Thanks for sharing a complete guide to prevention, general treatment and homeopathy medicines.

  • MommyShravmusings

    Nux Vomica and indigestion go hand in hand. We used to make fun of that medicine’s name saying that the doctor who invented this medicine would have been vomitting at that point of time. And my dad used to get so wild when he hears this joke.

  • deepsreflections

    Indigestion is a sour point so many times specially when everything was shut down and one was trying new recipes. The points you wrote about prevention of indigestion are a keep. A very important post
    Deepika Sharma

  • Varsh

    A short walk after meals is advised in Ayurveda for better digestion too. Indigestion is easy to handle if we maintain a good lifestyle and eat fresh and healthy food.

  • pythoroshan

    I’m glad you added the steps to avoid indigestion as well. While it can be unavoidable at times, often the best measure has to be prevention because it can be such a distressing disease

  • Navita Bhatia

    Such a detailed information about the types, causes, symptoms, prevention, and general treatment of one of the most common source of discomfort, indigestion. Never knew the difference between the two types of indigestion. The preventive cures will be very helpful for everyone. Thanks Surbhi, for this series which will really prove to be savior for all of us.

  • Ruchie

    This really seems a simple problem to many, but the way you have shared the causes with symptoms and then this medication, it will help a lot to every single person!!

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