HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR INDIGESTION

Indigestion or dyspepsia or an upset stomach — is a general term that describes discomfort in the  upper abdomen. Indigestion is not a disease, but rather some symptoms you experience, including abdominal pain and a feeling of fullness soon after  start eating. Eating habits or a chronic digestive problem can trigger indigestion.  Although indigestion is common, each person may experience indigestion in a slightly different way. Symptoms of indigestion may be felt occasionally or as often as daily.

Indigestion can be a symptom of another digestive disease. Indigestion that isn't caused by an underlying disease may be eased with lifestyle changes and medication.

 Medication isn’t the only treatment for indigestion. You may be able to improve digestion and relieve uncomfortable symptoms with lifestyle adjustments. For example:

·         Eat smaller meals throughout the day.

·         Avoid spicy, fatty foods that can trigger heartburn.

·         Eat slower and don’t eat before lying down.

·         Stop smoking.

·         Lose excess body weight.

·         Reduce the amount of coffee, soft drinks, and alcohol you consume.

·         Get plenty of rest.

·         Stop taking medicines that irritate the stomach lining, such as NSAIDs

·         Reduce stress through yoga or relaxation therapy.

Causes

Indigestion has many possible causes. Often, indigestion is related to lifestyle and may be triggered by food, drink or medication. Common causes of indigestion include:

·         Overeating or eating too quickly

·         Fatty, greasy or spicy foods

·         Too much caffeine, alcohol, chocolate or carbonated beverages

·         Smoking

·         Alcohol

·         Anxiety

·         Certain antibiotics, pain relievers and iron supplements

Sometimes indigestion is caused by other digestive conditions, including:

·         Inflammation of the stomach (gastritis)

·         Peptic ulcers

·         Celiac disease

·         Gallstones

·         Constipation

·         Motility disorders, e.g, esophageal spasm.

·         Pancreas inflammation (pancreatitis)

·         Stomach cancer

·         Intestinal blockage

·         Reduced blood flow in the intestine (intestinal ischemia)

·         Irritable bowel syndrome

·         Renal failure

·         Hypercalcaemia

Indigestion with no obvious cause is known as functional or non ulcer dyspepsia.

Symptoms

People with indigestion may have one or more of the following symptoms:

·         Early fullness during a meal. You haven't eaten much of your meal, but you already feel full and may not be able to finish eating.

·         Uncomfortable fullness after a meal. Fullness lasts longer than it should.

·         Discomfort in the upper abdomen. You feel a mild to severe pain in the area between the bottom of your breastbone and your navel.

·         Burning in the upper abdomen. You feel an uncomfortable heat or burning sensation between the bottom of your breastbone and your navel.

·         Bloating in the upper abdomen. You feel an uncomfortable sensation of tightness due to a buildup of gas.

·         Nausea. You feel as though you want to vomit.

Less frequent symptoms include vomiting and belching.

Sometimes people with indigestion also experience heartburn, but heartburn and indigestion are two separate conditions. Heartburn is a pain or burning feeling in the center of your chest that may radiate into your neck or back during or after eating.

Complications

Although indigestion doesn't usually have serious complications, it can affect your quality of life by making you feel uncomfortable and causing you to eat less. You might miss work or school because of your symptoms. When indigestion is caused by an underlying condition, that condition can also have its own complications.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Homoeopathy today is a rapidly growing system and is being practiced all over the world. Its strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance at mental , emotional , spiritual and physical levels. When Indigestion    is concerned there are many effective medicines are available in Homoeopathy, but the selection depends upon the individuality of the patient , considering the mental and physical symptoms.

NUX VOMICA 30—Nux vomica is one of the top remedies for indigestion , especially after overeating.  Sour taste and nausea in the morning after eating. Weight and pain in stomach, worse eating, sometime after. Epigastrium bloated with pressure as of a stone several hours after eating. Heartburn. Heartburn after taking coffee, spicy food, and alcoholic drinks. Constipation. Constipation with frequent ineffectual urging is a leading symptom of Nux vomica.

PULSATILLA NIGRICANS 30—Pulsatilla is another top remedy for indigestion , which is caused by consuming rich foods, fats, pork, pastries, desserts , ice –creams etc. Belchings, taste of food remains a long time after ices, fruits, pastry etc. Stomach disordered , feels heavy. Heartburn and flatulence.  Indigestion with loose stool. Changeable stools, no two stools alike. Thirstlessness with nearly all complaints.

CARBO VEGETABILIS 30—Carbo vegetabilis is excellent for indigestion with excessive flatulence. Indigestion may result from over eating, eating rich fatty foods or eating too late in the evening and sleeping soon, thereafter. Digestion slow, food putrefies before it digests. The simplest food distresses. Belching, heaviness, sleepiness, tense from flatulence  with pain, worse lying down. Contractive pains extending to chest with distension of abdomen. Sometimes headache associated with indigestion.

ANACARDIUM ORIENTALE 30—Anacardium is prescribed for indigestion, which results from taking cold drinks or stress. Weak digestion with fullness and distension. Heartburn after 2-3 hours of eating, which is better from eating. Eating relieves dyspepsia. Empty feeling in stomach. Gastric pain better from eating, but worse again after 2-3 hours. There is a sensation of plug anywhere in the alimentary canal.

ABIES NIGRA 30—Abies nigra is indicated for indigestion with a feeling of constriction  just above the pit of the stomach as if everything were knotted up. Pain in stomach always comes on after eating. Belching. Sensation of a lump that hurts. As if a hard boiled egg had lodged in the cardiac end of stomach. It is a good remedy for dyspepsia of the aged with functional heart symptoms. Offensive breath and eructations

ARSENICUM ALB 30—Arsenic  is alb is an effective remedy for indigestion from consuming preserved food. Dyspepsia from vinegar, acids, ice cream, ice water etc. Nausea , retching and vomiting after eating and drinking. Burning pain. Ice cold water distresses the abdomen and is vomited immediately. Great anxiety and restlessness.

IPECACUANHA 30—Ipecac is indicated for indigestion with constant nausea , not relieved by vomiting. Clean tongue, a leading symptom of Ipecac. The stomach is disordered by rich food, pork, pastry, candy, ice cream etc.

NATRUM MURIATICUM 200—Natyrum muriaticum is indicated for indigestion of smokers. Loss of taste. Bitter taste in mouth. Blisters are seen on tongue. Heartburn with intense thirst. Sticking sensation in cardiac orifice. Desire for salt and salty foods.

NATRUM CARBONICUM 200—Natrum carb is prescribed for indigestion in old people. Digestion weak, worse by slightest errors in food. Stomach feels swollen and sensitive. Heartburn after consuming fats. Ill effects of drinking cold water when over heated.

LYCOPODIUM  CLAVATUM 200—Lycopodium clavatum is best for indigestion with great weakness of digestion with much bloating. Hunger, but quick satiety. Eating ever so little creates fullness. Belching  rise only to pharynx.  Flatulence , much noisy, pressing out. Immediately after eating abdomen is bloated and full. Complaints from flatulent food, cabbage, beans, oysters, and onions. Lycopodium patient prefer sweets and hot drinks and food.

ROBINIA 3X---Robinia is indicated for indigestion with great acidity. Sour stomach. Everything turns to acid. Heartburn and acidity of stomach at night on lying down. Nausea with sour belching. Profuse vomiting of an intensely sour fluid. Complaints worse from consuming fats, cabbages, turnips, raw fruits, ice creams.

 COLOCYNTHIS —Colocynthis is indicated for indigestion with stomach pain. Pain comes in waves, better doubling up and hard pressure, worse least food or drink, except coffee and tobacco smoking.  Sensation in  stomach as if something would not yield, drawing pain in the stomach. Complaints from potatoes and starchy food. Indigestion from anger.

THUJA OCCIDENTALIS 200-Thuja occ is prescribed, where indigestion is due to drinking excessive tea.Unable to eat breakfast. Complaints from meat, potatoes, onions, garlic etc.  Rancid belching after fat food. Noisy swallowing, loud belching. Flatulence , pain after food, sinking sensation in epigastrium before food.