Indigestion (also known as dyspepsia) can be understood as a general term used to describe various symptoms of discomfort commonly experienced after gestation. Many people report feeling a sensation of fullness in the upper abdomen, nausea, bloating, heartburn, and upset stomach. There are many symptoms associated with indigestion, and not all people experience all symptoms. Most people will experience symptoms of indigestion at least once in their life. However, as common as these symptoms can be, if an individual begins to experience chronic symptoms of indigestion, it may indicate an underlying medical condition.

Some conditions that may cause chronic indigestion include gastritis, peptic ulcers, gastric cancer, or gallbladder disease. All of these conditions can have serious implications and medical attention may need to be sought. Medical attention should be sought if you have symptoms that last for longer than two weeks, or if you experienced any of the following:

• Pain that is so bad that you cannot find a comfortable resting position
• Continuous vomiting, or blood in the vomit
• Black, tarry stools (steatorrhea)
• Trouble swallowing
• Shortness of breath
• Excessive fatigue

It should be noted that some people experience heartburn during a bout of indigestion, but heartburn itself is a separate condition that may need to be treated individually.

Self Help

There are a variety of lifestyle changes that you can incorporate into your daily routine in order to help alleviate the symptoms of indigestion. As mentioned above, indigestion is extremely common, and most people will experience some symptoms within their lifetime. The following are proactive steps that you can take to decrease your chances of having recurring symptoms.

• Avoid fatty foods
• Avoid carbonated beverages
• Avoid alcohol and/or caffeine
• Eat smaller, more frequent meals
• Maintain a regular exercise regime
• Effectively manage your stress level
• Avoid eating immediately prior to going to bed
• Be mindful of medications you may be taking and their potential side effects

Some people have reported positive results from other alternative therapies such as acupuncture, massage and yoga. However, you should always consult with your doctor before embarking on any treatment plan. If your indigestion is chronic, you should inform your doctor so that they may screen for any potential underlying conditions.

Western Treatments

If the symptoms of indigestion persist, your doctor may suggest any number of medications, many of which can be found over-the-counter. While antacids are typically the first choice for many, this is due to the common misconception that indigestion and heartburn are due to an overproduction of stomach acid. Meanwhile, there are a number of other options—some of which may prove more effective than others, depending on the cause of the indigestion. Some of these western treatments include:

• Medications that reduce stomach acid, such as H-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). PPIs are occasionally recommended if heartburn is also a factor.
• Antibiotics may be recommended if the cause of the patient’s indigestion is due to the H. pylori bacteria.
• Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications are sometimes prescribed, as symptoms of a “nervous stomach” are often common in patients with one of more of these psychological conditions.

A Case Study in TCM Treatment

An 81-year-old woman had been experiencing stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhea for some time. She was on a variety of different pharmaceutical medications and she complained of additional symptoms such as bloating and a continuous feeling of thirst. Traditional Chinese diagnosis revealed that she had a wiry, deficient pulse, while her tongue was swollen, dry, and cracked.

It was recommended that she begin a daily regimen of an herbal mixture containing poria sclerotium, coix seed, barley shen qu, magnolia bark, angelica root, and some other choice herbs. After three weeks, she reported that the stomach cramping and nausea were greatly improved. At this point, she was given an additional herbal mixture containing bupleurum root, tang kuei root, white peony root, salvia root, poria sclerotium, and white atractylodes rhizome. Two weeks later, the patient reported that virtually all of her symptoms were gone.