Dyspepsia

Causes of digestive problems in cases of Dyspepsia

Dyspepsiais a very common digestive disorder that affects the stomach and the upper part of the small intestine. The causes of its occurrence are not fully specified. Physicians are of the opinion that it is due to improperinnervation of the sensory intestinal organs, so thetransmission of impulses from these organs is not sufficient, as well as the stimulation of the intestines by the motor nerves. This condition is also known as poor digestion or an upset stomach.

Dyspepsia may also be due to other conditions. These includepregnancy, gallstones, peptic ulcer, diseases of the endocrine system, myocardial ischemia, hiatal hernia, stomach cancer, esophageal cancer and uremia; as a result of mental disorders and stress.

The condition may also be a side effect of medications/non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs/. Sometimes the cause of dyspepsia is external – aftersurgery of of the gastrointestinal tract.

Smoking and alcohol are factors that can contribute to the development of this disease. Since the condition can become chronic and continue for years, and in some cases even for a lifetime, it is recommended these two factors to be eliminated. Too fatty foods should also be avoided.

Some of the symptoms of dyspepsia includestomach pain, a sense of burning, nausea, reflux,stomach acid, gas, lack of appetite and diarrhea. The symptoms of this disease usually exacerbate during meals. Inorganic dyspepsia has symptoms that are very similar to those of ulcer – pain occurs at night and is not affected by drugs.

Diagnosis of dyspepsia is performed by first excluding the presence of an organic disease and the possibility of the condition being related to thecolon. In most cases, dyspepsia is not a serious disease, but it can cause certain discomfort to the patient as well as to the quality of his life.

The statistical data shows that dyspepsia affects a large part of the population, but the presence of natural remedies, which have healing effect on poor digestion are easily accessible and easy to apply at home. One of these remedies is the mint tea. Thanks to its antispasmodic effect, this tea is a great choice torelieving hte poor digestion and stomach problems. However,if the condition is related to acid reflux, drinking mint tea is contraindicated.

Another effective natural remedy is the chamomile tea. It helps to better sleep and calmness. Since this herb reduces acidity in the stomach, it has a positive effect on dyspepsia.

The healing properties of sodium bicarbonate are well-known. In small amounts, itneutralizes the stomach acid and relieves bloating and gas.The recommended dose is half a teaspoondissolved in water.

There are other effective remedies that can affect the conditionsuch as water with lemon, pomegranate, ginger and others.

It is extremely important to change the nutritional regimen. Overeating is contraindicated and the patient should eat slowly. Refined foods should be removed from the menu, as well as coffee, fizzy drinks, black and red pepper, red meats and chocolate. Consumption of more fruits and vegetables is recommended.

Psychological stress and tension have a very negative effect and they must be limited to the minimum.

Functional dyspepsia summarizes some digestive problems that are not caused by a disease in the classical sense of the word – injured organs. Ayurveda interprets this condition as a weakened digestive fire Agni.

The manifestations may be upper stomach pain which can also be mistaken as a chest pain; belching and nausea which in more severe cases may be accompanied by vomiting; weight in the stomach after eating, occurrence of heart-burn; gas and stomach swelling, etc.

If these conditions persist for a long time, they may turn into an organic dyspepsia – gastrointestinal tract damage such as gastritis, ulceration or colitis.

Therefore, timely medical attention should be sought — if these conditions last for more than a week to ten days, they are a signal for a more serious problem. It may be outside the functional dyspepsia and you should urgently seek a doctor if there are pains in the neck, arm, jaw; if you experience loss of breath or loss of weight. Yellowish coloration of the skin and eyes is a signal for jaundice.

Disturbances in functional dyspepsia may be caused by overeating where the digestive system is unable to cope with excess food.

These disturbances are also caused by eating heavy, oily foods; carbonated beverages or many liquids in general during meals; foods unsuitable for the type of body or the wrong combination of foods.

Ayurveda has a special list of incompatible foods such as milk and bananas, cereals and melons and many others. Problems are often caused by eating fast, more specifically the swallowing of poorly chewed food. Digestive disorders that are related to functional dyspepsia may also occur when eating while in strongly emotional states.

The harmful effect of these ways of eating is that too many acids are formed in the stomach which can irritate the mucous membranes, or when gastric and intestinal fermentations form gases that lead to swellings.

How to activate the digestive fire Agni

If Agni is weak, food is not being degraded completely and in a timely matter, and accumulated food remains begin to ferment and decay which causes gastrointestinal problems. Conversely, if the digestive fire Agni is active, food is broken down and digested, and excesses are removed from the body through the secretory system.  Among the general recommendations is not to eat if a person does not feel hungry.

As mentioned, it is harmful to eat under the influence of emotions, for example, eating when feeling nervous. There should be three meals — breakfast, main meal and a lighter meal for dinner. Intermediate snacks can consist of fruit, 2 hours before lunch and possibly around 4 PM.

Cold drinks should not be taken during the meal and immediately afterwards as they dilute the acids and extinguish Agni. Among the natural means used by Ayurveda to fuel the digestive fire Agni, ginger is traditional.

You can cut a thin slice and sprinkle it with salt, then eat it before the meal by chewing it well. Combinations can also be made: before eating, get some grated ginger and add a few drops of lemon juice and a pinch of salt to it.

To improve digestion, you can use a mixture of equal quantities of ginger and pepper and add some garlic to it as well. The garlic should be as much as the tip of a tea spoon, and the total amount of the mixture is about half a teaspoonful. It is taken before meals and during meals, usually recommended for dinner.

Bay leaf is also used, torn in half a teaspoon. This quantity is poured into one cup of hot water for ten minutes. Add cardamom – a pinch and drink on a full stomach.