Indigestion, medically referred to as dyspepsia, is not a disease, but rather a term to describe a combination of uncomfortable digestive symptoms. Indigestion is a common condition, although physical manifestations of the condition can vary between individuals. Because each case differs, the proper diet to help reduce symptoms of indigestion also differs.
Symptoms
Indigestion occurs when food that you eat and stomach acid travel backward from your stomach into your esophagus. The most common symptoms of indigestion include premature fullness during a meal and extreme discomfort for several hours following a meal. If you have indigestion, you may also experience epigastric pain, which is characterized by burning pain between the chest bone and the navel. Most people experience indigestion at some point in their lives. Some people may experience these symptoms frequently.
Small Meals
It is possible to control indigestion by changing the volume of your meals. Consuming several small meals over the course of the day rather than three large meals can decrease the amount of stress put on the digestive system and the volume of food in your stomach at any given time. This can help prevent the stomach from filling up too fast, which can reduce the amount of food that backflows into the esophagus. Eating small meals can also decrease the amount of stomach acid that your stomach produces. Since many of the symptoms of indigestion are caused by stomach acid, this can help reduce the severity of symptoms.
Trigger Foods
Different types of foods may trigger symptoms or make indigestion symptoms worse. These foods, which are called trigger foods, can vary between individuals. If you regularly have indigestion, keep a journal of what you eat and any symptoms you experience to help you identify your trigger foods. Once you identify these foods, you should avoid them as much as possible. Some common trigger foods include fatty foods, fried foods, spicy foods, chocolate, alcohol, caffeine, carbonated beverages and greasy foods.
Eat Slowly
Eating slowly may also help reduce the symptoms of indigestion. If you eat too fast, food moves through the digestive system too quickly, which may cause dyspepsia symptoms. Eating slowly also gives you adequate time to chew your food thoroughly. Adequately chewing your food breaks your food into small pieces and starts the digestion process, which can reduce the strain put on the rest of your digestive system.
