INDIGESTION - Common Medical Advice,

General Information

Indigestion is also called dyspepsia or heartburn. Indigestion may be caused by gastric disorders such as peptic ulcer, reflux esophagitis, gastritis, or gastric discomfort. Some symptoms of indigestion may signal the presence of a more serious underlying disease like cancer

Signs and Symptoms

• Symptoms of Indigestion include A feeling of discomfort or pain between the ribs and the navel during or after eating.
• A burning sensation felt in the chest that rises towards the throat, often occurring after eating, exercising, or lying down. This is 'reflux and is referred to as 'heartburn'.
• A bloated feeling, excess gas, and Wind.
• A lump in the throat or difficulty in swallowing.
• An ill-feeling or upset stomach.
• Feeling full after eating very little
• Pain and discomfort after a heavy fatty meal.

Advice to the Customers

• Walk and avoid bending over and lying down after eating. This helps the stomach to digest its contents easily, preventing them from being pushed upwards and cause heartburn.
• Stay away from foods that are known to upset your stomach. It is not necessary to have a bland diet, but foods that are tatty or spicy, coffee, or most alcoholic beverages may cause indigestion.
• Avoid wearing belts that are too tight.
• Seek medical advice when the pain is frequent and persistent to get a better diagnosis of your condition.
• Antacids are used only for the relief of the symptoms and not for treating the condition itself, unless otherwise instructed by the physician.
• In cases where an antacid in used for more than 3-4 times weekly, visit a physician so that a diagnosis can be confirmed.

Prescription Advice

• Instruct the patient on the medication and how to use it properly, i.e. name of the medication, frequency of dosage, etc.
• In cases where indigestion persists for more than two weeks or present exacerbation, instruct the patient to consult a physician.
• Inform the patient of the possibility of interactions of some antacids With other medications, and the side effects associated with some of these agents
• Discuss advice to the customers thoroughly for more information on the prevention and management of indigestion.