Pain is a common complaint of individuals with indigestion. Fortunately, there are many things that can be done to combat indigestion pain, starting with visiting the doctor to figure out if what you have is indeed indigestion. Medicine may be prescribed in severe cases. Other ways of dealing with indigestion pain include taking antacids and making lifestyle changes to avoid it in the first place.
Generally, there can be any number of causes of indigestion-induced pain. Overeating is one of the most common causes and so is consuming too much greasy, spicy and fatty foods. Sometimes, upper gastrointestinal conditions such as gallstones, peptic ulcers and certain cancers can also cause this type of pain. It may also be coupled with emotional distress such as nervousness or anxiety. For this reason, it is not uncommon for a person to suffer from both anxiety and indigestion or ongoing stress and indigestion.
In addition to indigestion pain, a person may have other types of indigestion symptoms. He or she may also experience a sensation of fullness in the abdomen, belching and abdominal distention. Some people may also become nauseous. Often, these particular symptoms can make finding a suitable indigestion remedy all the more essential.
The safest way to deal with pain caused by indigestion is to schedule an appointment with a doctor. This is necessary to confirm that what is being experienced is in fact indigestion. The doctor may need to order tests such as a gastrointestinal X-ray, endoscopy or computerized tomography (CT) scan to make a certain diagnosis. Diagnostic tests may also help to determine the basis of the abdominal upset.
A prescription medicine may be needed to deal with severe indigestion pain of certain causes. For instance, a prescription medicine may be needed if the pain is caused by a health condition such as a peptic ulcer. In this case, a doctor may prescribe treatments such as a proton pump inhibitor or acid blocker to reduce acid in the stomach that may be causing the indigestion. If anxiety or stress is a leading factor of the pain, anti-anxiety medicines may be used to combat the stress, which may reduce the pain.
One of the most common ways to deal with infrequent indigestion pain is to take antacids. Most antacids are available over the counter. They generally work by diminishing the amount of existing acid in the stomach. Many people with pain caused by indigestion opt to take antacids because they usually act quickly.
An individual may also deal with indigestion pain by making numerous lifestyle changes. This may include avoiding eating particularly heavy meals, especially before bed time. It is also important to chew food fully and slowly and to eat without talking. In general, it is best to eat in a fashion that will not interfere with adequate food digestion. Additionally, if indigestion tends to set in after consuming certain foods, it may be best to avoid those products to prevent the pain that may follow the food consumption.