Several remedies for acid indigestion can be implemented at home without much difficulty. Certain remedies, however, involve dedication to lifestyle and diet modifications which poses more of a challenge to heartburn sufferers. The success in relieving acid indigestion symptoms rests in achieving a balanced lifestyle. Although medications provide quick fixes and surgeries eliminate chronic pain, these remedies carry risks that can be avoided by employing diet and lifestyle changes.
Dietary Changes
According to the 2006 edition of "Medical-Surgical Nursing: Critical Thinking for Collaborative Care," extensive diet changes provide significant relief of acid indigestion symptoms. Almost every category of food irritates acid indigestion. Some foods require complete elimination from the diet while others can be eaten in moderation. Strict adherence to a bland diet creates a great challenge for most people and often results in failure. The best practice is moderation.
During acute flare-ups of acid indigestion acidic, spicy, irritants such as caffeine and hard to digest foods should not be eaten. Hard to digest foods contain high fiber and high fat content. A few examples of foods to avoid include whole milk, cheese, bacon, broccoli, oranges, beans, peppers and lemons. Controlled acid indigestion symptoms allow for some leeway. One or two servings per day of instigating foods may be tolerated.
Modification of Habits
Many lifestyle habits create problems with indigestion. The MayoClinic.com emphasizes changing eating habits to improve digestion. Habit remedies for acid indigestion include slowing down to eat and thoroughly chewing food to aid digestion, eating in a calm environment and eating smaller portions several times throughout the day.
The lifestyle habits of smoking and drinking alcohol prove difficult to stop. Alcohol and cigarette smoke increase acid production, irritate the tissues that line the mouth, esophagus and stomach and weaken the lower esophageal sphincter---all actions that increase indigestion. People should seek help to stop these habits.
Elevation During Sleep
Acid reflux, a condition in which stomach acid rises up into the esophagus, frequently causes indigestion. Scott and White Healthcare of Temple, Texas recommends that people with acid indigestion elevate the head of the bed 6 to 8 inches to prevent acid reflux. Sleeping on the left side of the body also prevents reflux because of the anatomy of the stomach.
Monitoring Medications
Scott and White provides a list of medications that aggravate acid indigestion. Anti-inflammatories such as aspirin and ibuprofen, tricyclic antidepressants, certain medications used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease and certain asthma medications increase acid production or weaken the lower esophageal sphincter. People taking these types of medications should consult with the prescribing physician to determine if an alternate choice exists.
References
- "Medical-Surgical Nursing: Critical Thinking for Collaborative Care"; Donna D. Ignatavicius MS RN, & M. Linda Workman Ph.D; 2006
- MayoClinic.com: Indigestion
- Scott and White Hospital: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
