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Functional dyspepsia
What should I do if I have indigestion and excessive flatulence?
Indigestion and increased anal gas typically indicate gastrointestinal dysfunction. In cases where these symptoms persist, it is advisable to first undergo examinations such as gastroscopy and colonoscopy to rule out any organic diseases. Once cleared, targeted treatment can be applied. For gastrointestinal dysfunction, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), medications that regulate gastrointestinal function like Otilonium Bromide or Pinaverium Bromide might be prescribed. Additionally, maintaining proper dietary and living habits is crucial. The diet should include light, easily digestible foods, such as soft rice or noodles, along with fresh vegetables, while avoiding greasy, spicy, and irritating foods. Although soy products are a good source of protein, they should be consumed in moderation as excessive amounts can lead to excessive gas formation in the intestines, leading to increased anal gas. (Note: Use of medications should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)
What tests should be done for indigestion?
Indigestion is relatively common in clinical practice. Patients can undergo several diagnostic tests to rule out other causes of indigestion. These tests include gastroscopy, complete blood count, liver function tests, Helicobacter pylori testing, and abdominal ultrasound. Generally, if these tests show no issues, especially if the patient's symptoms are persistent and not accompanied by any alarming signs such as fever, bloody stools, vomiting blood, decreased appetite, or weight loss, indigestion is usually considered. In terms of treatment, symptomatic treatment is emphasized. Typically, medications that protect the stomach, improve gastrointestinal motility, and aid digestion can be used and generally provide some degree of control. Of course, this is under the assumption that other causes of abdominal discomfort, such as ulcers, inflammation, or even tumors, have been ruled out. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)
What should I do about indigestion?
Indigestion is considered a gastrointestinal dysfunction, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views it as spleen and stomach weakness. TCM recommends using herbal medicines to adjust the spleen and stomach, as well as consuming foods that aid digestion, such as tomatoes, hawthorn, pumpkin, and Chinese yam. These foods help to generate fluids to quench thirst, moisten the intestines for bowel movement, and assist digestion. It is advisable to have a lighter diet, avoid spicy and greasy foods, engage in appropriate outdoor exercise to improve physical health, and eat meals at regular times and quantities to avoid overeating. It is important to protect the gastrointestinal system and enhance the stomach's digestive function in daily life. If symptoms do not improve after dietary adjustments, it is recommended to visit the gastroenterology department for a detailed examination.
How to treat functional dyspepsia?
Functional dyspepsia, which is considered temporarily non-organic, should first be managed by dietary adjustments. Meals should be regular and portion-controlled to avoid overeating; softer, easily digestible foods should be favored while gas-producing foods like leeks and soy products should be limited. Medications that enhance gastrointestinal motility and accelerate food emptying can be used, as well as those that adjust microbial imbalances. Engaging in moderate outdoor activity after meals can also effectively enhance gastrointestinal motility and promote gastric emptying. (Please take medications under the guidance of a doctor)
Does stomach cold easily lead to indigestion?
Patients with a cold stomach may experience poor digestion, and other symptoms of deficiency-cold such as diarrhea and abdominal bloating. They usually avoid eating very cold or very hard foods. It is recommended to eat foods like adzuki beans, red beans, coix seed, and jujube, which can effectively help expel the cold from the stomach and improve symptoms. Also, it is advisable to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables regularly, mainly to avoid stimulating, greasy, and raw cold foods, so as not to aggravate the condition. Engaging in more physical activities can effectively aid gastrointestinal motility and improve symptoms.
How to deal with indigestion and nausea?
If symptoms of indigestion and nausea appear in the short term, they may be caused by exposure to cold, improper diet, medication factors, and so on. In such cases, adjusting the diet or discontinuing the related medication should gradually relieve the symptoms. If this condition persists for a long period, it is necessary to rule out upper gastrointestinal issues. Initial steps should include relevant examinations, commonly involving procedures such as gastroscopy, tests for Helicobacter pylori, or upper gastrointestinal imaging, etc. Based on the results of these tests, targeted treatment should be administered, such as eradicating Helicobacter pylori. If there is no Helicobacter pylori infection, symptomatic treatment should be considered, such as enhancing gastric motility, protecting the gastric mucosa, or suppressing stomach acid, etc.
One-year-old baby with indigestion
If a one-year-old baby has indigestion, first we should pay attention to the child's diet to see if it is normal. A one-year-old child should ideally have three main meals a day and then drink about 500ml of milk or formula. If the child's diet is inappropriate, or the child has little physical activity, or due to illness, etc., these can lead to indigestion. In such cases, we first need to adjust the dietary structure, offering the child light and easily digestible food, and avoid foods that are too fatty or too sweet. Additionally, some medications for treating indigestion can be administrated to the child, such as gastric protease granules, multi-enzyme tablets, pediatric fel nigrum extract, etc. For children who also have abnormal stool, probiotics can be given to help regulate their digestion.
Is functional dyspepsia hereditary?
Functional dyspepsia is not a hereditary disease and does not have a genetic component. Functional dyspepsia refers to indigestion caused by the dysfunction of the stomach and intestines without any obvious organic diseases. The main symptoms include dull pain in the upper abdomen, which can manifest as burning or bloating pain. There are also symptoms such as acid reflux, belching, heartburn, diarrhea, vomiting, and sometimes the passage of mucus stools. Generally, it does not lead to purulent or bloody stools, nor does it cause fever or severe urgency after defecation, among other symptoms.
How to regulate functional dyspepsia?
For functional dyspepsia, dietary attentions include consuming easily digestible foods such as noodles, steamed buns, dumplings, and soft-cooked rice. Try to avoid hard or difficult-to-digest foods, such as bones, and avoid acidic, spicy foods, and alcohol. Consume more fresh vegetables and fruits. For medical treatment, medications that promote gastrointestinal motility and aid in digesting food can be taken, such as supplements containing gastric protease. Eating smaller, more frequent meals is advisable, avoiding excessive consumption of fish and meat. Daily protein intake should be around 50 grams to meet the body's needs.
Can indigestion cause chest tightness?
Indigestion generally does not cause chest tightness. The main symptoms of indigestion include upper abdominal pain, accompanied by belching, acid reflux, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea, among others. If a patient experiences chest tightness, along with chest pain and difficulty breathing, it is necessary to consider whether it is due to a cardiac disease or a pulmonary disease, and it is recommended to go to the hospital for a formal examination. Initially, it is important to complete an electrocardiogram and a chest radiograph, followed by cardiac auscultation and pulmonary auscultation.