Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, is a very common problem. The symptoms that an individual may notice after eating may vary greatly from person to person even if they consume the same food. We commonly use specific terms such as heartburn, abdominal pain, stomach ache, bloating, heart burn, and heaviness to describe symptoms.
A meal containing a high fat content such as oily or greasy foods are more likely to bring on a bout of indigestion. The underlying problems that may give rise to symptoms may also vary and it should be noted that multiple disease processes may cause similar or indistinguishable symptoms.
For example, gastritis, defined as a swelling or inflammation in the inner lining of the stomach, gastric ulcers, hiatal hernias and reflux disease may all produce identical symptoms of abdominal discomfort.
Reflux disease, also known as Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) refers to the flow of gastric acid into the esophagus. a hiatal hernia arises from a weakness or laxity in the diaphragm that allows part of the stomach to form a pouch above the diaphragm and result in reflux of the gastric contents into the esophagus. The discomfort that an individual may feel is usually located in the lower chest, just under the sternum or breast bone. The character of the pain may be sharp, dull, heavy, or burning in nature.
Other abdominal organs such as the gallbladder and pancreas are also notorious for causing pain after a heavy or fatty meal. it should be noted however that gallbladder pain is usually located in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen or just beneath the right lower rib cage. This diagnosis is important to differentiate and would require an entirely different management approach.
Although dietary modification is essential in the management of dyspepsia, there are ways to have your cake and eat it too! If we acknowledge that the establishment of a specific diagnosis by a physician is initially essential, the use of medications that lower gastric acid offer excellent symptomatic relief and enable most individuals to live relatively normal lives while enjoying the occasional dietary indiscretion. Over the counter medications such as Pepcid, Zantac and Prilosec, decrease gastric acidity and not only allow for healing within the stomach and esophagus, but also improve symptoms of dyspepsia. Such medications are to be taken on an empty stomach approximately 30 minutes before breakfast and may also be taken in the evening.
Although it is better to avoid foods that have a high fat and oil content such as fried foods, occasional consumption of such foods may be enjoyed with the appropriate precautions. it is important however to rule out other more serious underlying disease processes such as gastric ulcers or gallbladder disease, for example. The holidays are a great time to enjoy the company of family and friends. With the proper precautions and use of appropriate medications, foods that were once thought to be off limits may be safely enjoyed.
Be in good health!