What should I do about indigestion?

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 14, 2024
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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.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
1min 24sec home-news-image

What should I do if I have indigestion and dry heaving?

Symptoms of chronic indigestion and retching are mainly considered indicative of chronic gastritis. Common symptoms of chronic gastritis include upper abdominal bloating, belching, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, indigestion, and heartburn. Gastroscope examination revealing mucosal congestion, edema, or erosion confirms the diagnosis of chronic gastritis. It is also advisable to undergo a Carbon-14 breath test to determine the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection. Helicobacter pylori has been confirmed as a major cause of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, and even gastric cancer. If Helicobacter pylori infection tests positive, a 14-day anti-Helicobacter pylori treatment is required, involving a proton pump inhibitor, two antibiotics, and a bismuth agent. Additionally, for chronic gastritis, acid suppression, gastric protection, enhancement of gastric motility, and mucosal repair treatments are also necessary. With standardized treatment, symptoms can disappear, and the disease can be effectively cured.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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What should I do if I have indigestion and feel like vomiting?

Symptoms of indigestion, nausea, and the urge to vomit should be treated differently based on the duration of the condition. If these symptoms appear in the short term and there is no history of stomach diseases, it might be suitable to take prokinetic drugs moderately, pay attention to a light diet, and recovery is often achievable. If the symptoms recur frequently, further examination is needed, with gastroscopy being the initial choice. Treatment should be based on the examination results, and combining prokinetic drugs, such as mosapride, often leads to significant effects. At the same time, dietary habits should focus on light and easy-to-digest foods, and it is best to avoid raw, greasy, and spicy foods that cause irritation. Additionally, quitting smoking and drinking, and maintaining a positive mindset are also helpful. (Note: The use of medication should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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What can you eat with indigestion?

Indigestion can be observed in various gastric diseases such as gastrointestinal dysfunction, chronic gastritis, and peptic ulcers, all of which can exhibit symptoms of indigestion. When experiencing symptoms of indigestion, attention must also be paid to diet. Firstly, one must quit smoking and drinking alcohol, avoid strong tea, coffee, fatty and heavy foods, spicy foods, fried foods, grilled foods, raw and cold foods, as well as sweets. One should avoid consuming milk, soy milk, glutinous rice, sweet potatoes, and other such foods. This is because some of these foods can increase gastric acid secretion leading to a worsening of gastric diseases, and some are difficult to digest, exacerbating symptoms of indigestion; therefore, they are not recommended. It is advised to increase physical activity, as exercise can promote gastrointestinal motility, which is effective in improving symptoms of indigestion.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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What are the symptoms of indigestion?

Indigestion, also known as functional dyspepsia, is primarily characterized by symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting, due to impaired food ejection function. Poor appetite can lead to a relative lack of body energy, resulting in symptoms like insomnia, anxiety, and depression. Indigestion is common among children and the elderly or frail. In treatment, it is important to adjust the diet to focus on soft, easy-to-digest foods, eat more fresh green vegetables, and avoid raw, cold, or spicy foods.

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Written by Yang Shuang
Cardiology
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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.