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Indigestion
or dyspepsia is one of the most common ailments today and
is caused by dietetic errors. It is a condition of the
stomach in which digestive juices are incorrectly
secreted, resulting in discomfort.
The alimentary canal and the process of digestion begin
at the mouth. The stomach, which is the most abused organ
of the body, looks like a pear-shaped pouch. It forms
part of the digestive tract which is a tube coiled in
loops nearly 28 feet in length. It varies in size and
position depending on how much food it contains. An
overloaded stomach tends to prevent the diaphragm from
functioning properly. It may also press on the heart.Symptoms
Abdominal
pain, a feeling of undue fullness after eating,
heartburn, loss of appetite , nausea or vomiting and
excessive wind or gas are the usual symptoms of
indigestion. Other symptoms include a bad taste in the
mouth, coated tongue, foul breath and pain in the upper
abdomen.
Causes
The feelings
of discomfort and distress in the abdomen are often
caused by overeating, eating too rapidly or not chewing
properly. Overeating or eating frequently produces a
feverish state in the system and overtaxes the digestive
organs. It produces excessive acid and causes the gastric
mucus membrane to become congested. Hyperacidity is
usually the result. Overeating makes the work of stomach,
liver, kidneys and bowels harder. When this food
putrifies, its poisons are absorbed back into the blood
and consequently, the whole system is poisoned.
Many people gulp their food due to stress or hurry. When
food is swallowed in large chunks, the stomach has to
work harder and more hydrocholoride is secreted. Eating
too fast also causes one to swallow air. These bad habits
force some of the digestive fluids into the esophagus,
causing burning , a stinging sensation or a sour taste,
giving an illusion of stomach acid.
Certain foods, especially if they are not properly
cooked, cause indigestion. Some people react unfavourable
to certain foods like beans, cabbage, onions, cucumber,
radishes and seafood. Fried foods as well as rich and
spicy foods often cause abdominal discomfort and gas, and
aggravate the existing condition. Excessive smoking and
intake of alcohol can also cause stomach upsets.
Constipation may interfere with the normal flow of
ingested matter through the gastro-intestinal tract,
resulting in gas and abdominal pain. Drinking too much
water with meals, insomnia, emotions such as jealousy,
fear and anger and lack of exercise are among the other
causes of indigestion.
The
Cure
The only
effective treatment for indigestion is a thorough
cleansing of the digestive tract; adoption of a sensible
diet and a change in the style of living. The best way to
commence the treatment is to adopt an all-fruit diet for
about five days. After the all-fruit diet, the patient
may take to a restricted diet of easily digestible foods,
consisting of lightly cooked vegetables, juicy fruits and
buttermilk for about 10 days. He may thereafter gradually
embark upon a well-balanced diet.
The use of fruits in general is beneficial in the
treatment of indigestion. They flush out the undigested
food reside and accumulated faeces and re-establish
health to perfect order. Being rich in water, they clean
body mechanisms thoroughly. The best among the fruits in
dyspepsia is lemon. Its juice reaches the stomach and
attacks the bacteria, inhabiting the formation of acids.
Lemon juice removes indigestion by dislodging this acid
and other harmful substances from the stomach, thereby
strengthening and prompting a healthy appetite.
The orange is another effective food remedy in chronic
indigestion. It gives rest to the digestive organs and
supplies nutrition in a most easily assimilable form. It
also stimulates the flow of digestive juices thereby
improving digestion and increasing appetite. It creates
suitable conditions for the development of friendly
bacteria in the intestines.
Another fruit useful in indigestion is grapes. They are a
light food which removes indigestion and irritation of
the stomach in a short time and relieves heat. Pineapple
is also valuable. It acts as a tonic in dyspepsia and
relieves much of the digestives disorders of dyspeptics.
Half a glass of pineapple juice should be taken after a
meal in this condition.
The sufferer from indigestion must always follow the
under-mentioned rules regarding eating :
- Never eat and drink
together. Water or other liquids should be taken
half an hour before and one hour after a meal.
Milk, buttermilk and vegetables soups are,
however, foods and can be taken with meals.
- Never hurry through a
meal. Eat very slowly and chew your food as
thoroughly as possible.
- Never eat to a full
stomach. Always leave the table with a feeling
that you could eat more.
- Never sit down to a
meal, feeling worried, tired, excited or in a bad
temper as such feelings temporarily paralyze the
manufacture of digestive juices including
hydrochloride.
- Do not eat if
appetite is lacking. Miss a meal or two, if
necessary, until real appetite returns.
- Never boil
vegetables, always steam them.
- Do not mix too many
foods at the same meal. Never eat raw vegetables
and raw fruits together as they require a
different set of enzymes. Take protein and
starchy foods separate as far as possible.
Yogic asanas such as
ardh-matsyasana, srvangasana, uttanpadasana,
pavnmuktasana, vajrasana, yogamudra, bhujangasana,
shalabhasana, and shavasana, kriyas like jalneti and
kunjal, and pranayamas like kapalbhati, anuloma-viloma,
and ujjai are highly beneficial in the treatment of
indigestion. Light exercises such as walking, golf and
swimming also help digestion.
Water
Treatment
A daily enema
should be administered to cleanse toxic bowel waste.
Other beneficial water treatments include wet girdle pack
applied at night, application of ice bags over the
stomach half an hour after meals, a daily cold friction
bath and alternate hot and cold hip baths at night.
Massaging of the abdomen also helps.
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