Causes of Indigestion
The main cause of indigestion is stomach acid reflux. Stomach acid helps to digest food and protects human body from infections. Stomach, esophagus and intestine are lined with a mucus layer and this layer acts as a barrier against the stomach acid. The acid irritates tissues underneath when this mucus layer is damaged. For this reason the sphincter connecting the esophagus and stomach does not work properly causing stomach acid reflux.
A bacterium called “Helicobacter pylori” can cause gastritis resulting indigestion .It lives in the mucus layer of the stomach but very few people have this problem. In a normal human body a muscular sheet called diaphragm separates the lungs and chest from the abdomen and stomach is completely below the diaphragm. But some people have their stomachs sliding up into the chest cavity known as “Hiatus hernia”. This “Hiatus hernia” may cause pain and heartburn. Some of the factors which cause indigestion, are following:
- Junk food.
- Alcohol.
- Caffeinated beverages.
- Smoking.
- Irregular dieting.
- Stress, anxiety.
- Medicines like asliirin and anti-inflammatory medicines.
- liregnancy.
- lielitic ulcer.
Tips for Indigestion Relief
- Mixing one teaspoon cumin seeds (zeera) and a pinch of salt in a glass of water and taking it twice a day can help reduce this problem.
- Taking half a teaspoon of aniseed daily improves digestion system.
- Digestion system can be improved by taking lemon juice mixed with warm water twice a day.
- Ajwain is also a good remedy for indigestion. Taking it one or two teaspoon with a pinch of rock salt gives best result.
- Coriander juice is also beneficial for indigestion.
- Taking one papaya fruit in the breakfast betters the digestion system and keeps anyone fresh and energetic.
- Taking a tablespoon of cinnamon water after meal helps digestion.
- Fresh juice of curry leaves with limejuice and sugar is very effective for indigestion.
Apart from all these, making some changes in lifestyle is essential to improve digestion system. The most effective changes would be to change food habits. Salads and steamed vegetables should be taken instead of fried and spicy food. Taking alcohol, coffee and tea must be limited.