After eating a spicy, oily, or heavy meal, many of us experience a burning sensation in the chest, stomach discomfort, belching, or nausea. This is a very frequent condition; it is not a disease, but rather a result of what we eat. Dyspepsia is the medical word for this condition. The term dyspepsia is derived from the Greek words ‘dys’ and ‘pepse’, which signify indigestion or stomach upset.
Symptoms
Dyspepsia can induce heaviness, bloating, nausea, and vomiting. You may experience a burning sensation in your upper abdomen, as well as acute discomfort between your breastbone and navel. If your pain becomes severe or is accompanied by black stools, loss of appetite, weight loss, or jaundice (yellow coloring of the eyes and skin), you should consult a doctor.
These symptoms are usually caused by eating too much and too rapidly, as well as eating hot or fatty foods. Dyspepsia can also be caused by eating too many chocolates or drinking too much coffee. Dyspepsia symptoms occur when you consume excessive amounts of carbonated beverages or alcohol. Anxiety, smoking, emotional discomfort, taking aspirin, swelling of stomach (gastritis), swelling of pancreas (pancreatitis), stomach cancer, peptic ulcers, acid reflux syndrome (acid in stomach goes back into esophagus), and gall stones can all induce dyspepsia.
Diagnosis
In addition to the above symptoms, the doctor may perform stool and blood tests to determine whether peptic ulcer disease is causing the symptoms. The doctor can perform an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, which involves passing a thin flexible tube with a camera through the mouth into the stomach to look for any abnormalities. An ultrasound is used to obtain images of your abdomen, which uses high-frequency sound waves to record images of internal organs. A CT scan of your abdomen can also be performed to provide detailed images of your abdomen.
Treatment
Dyspepsia can be treated using medications. Antacids are the first medications that are prescribed. Antacids neutralize stomach acid and reduce the burning sensation in the upper abdomen. Mylanta, Maalox, Alka Seltzer, Riopan, and Rolaids are the most often used antacids. However, they may cause constipation and diarrhea in some individuals.
To lower stomach acid, H2-receptor antagonists are also used. Medications in this class include Zantac, Pepsid, Axid, and Tagamet. These are also available as over-the-counter (no prescription) drugs. Constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, and bleeding are some of the side effects of H2-receptor antagonists.
If the dyspepsia is caused by slower stomach emptying, medicines such as Reglan can be used. Side effects of Reglan include anxiety, depression, tiredness, lethargy, and involuntary muscle spasms.
Proton pump inhibitors such as Zegerid, Protonix, and Prilosec are prescribed for individuals who have gastroesophageal reflux disease (stomach acid returns to the esophagus). Side effects of proton pump inhibitors include headache, dizziness, cough, abdominal pain, gas production, back soreness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation.
Antibiotics are administered if the bacterium helicobacter pylori is causing dyspepsia. Antibiotics can produce side effects such as fungal infections, diarrhea, and stomach distress. Antidepressants might be used to reduce the experience of pain. Side effects of antidepressants include constipation, irritability, headaches, night sweats, and nausea.
Prevention
To prevent mild dyspepsia, you must make healthy lifestyle adjustments. You should always eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly. Instead of three huge meals, try eating several little ones. Unhealthy weight growth exerts pressure on the abdomen, causing acid from the stomach to flow back into the esophagus. To avoid this, you must exercise regularly in order to maintain a healthy weight. Spicy foods, coffee, wine, carbonated beverages, and smoking can cause dyspepsia. If medications such as aspirin cause stomach irritation, you must stop taking them immediately and notify your doctor. Lastly, it is critical that you control your stress. To stay stress-free, use relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, yoga, and meditation.
Dyspepsia down the ages!
Dyspepsia, sometimes known as indigestion, has plagued mankind throughout history. To treat dyspepsia in ancient Egypt, a hog’s tooth was crushed and mixed into four sugar cakes that the patient had to eat for four days. Ayurvedic medicine from India advocates using turmeric juice to treat dyspepsia. To treat indigestion, Africans drink Tangawisi juice, which is created by combining crushed ginger with mango tree sap. Remember that you don’t need any exotic remedies to treat dyspepsia. To keep dyspepsia at away, all you need to do is live a healthy lifestyle.
