Bloating, fullness, and abdominal discomfort are annoying symptoms that we often think are caused by overeating, indigestion, or simple constipation. But did you know that these could be symptoms of a condition called Dyspepsia?
Symptoms of Dyspepsia
When suffering from dyspepsia, patients experience fullness, abdominal pain, or discomfort in the upper central abdomen or epigastric area. Some may feel early satiety, bloating, and fullness. It is found that up to 25% of the population experience symptoms of dyspepsia, and most have chronic, recurring symptoms that can reduce quality of life.
Common causes of dyspepsia
Besides dyspepsia being a result of other chronic diseases such as peptic ulcer disease, hepatitis, or thyroid disorders, there are two main causes that can worsen the symptoms.
- Food: Many patients report that certain foods worsen their symptoms, such as spicy, very spicy, sour foods, tomatoes, alcohol, fatty foods, and coffee.
- Medications: types that irritate the gastrointestinal tract such as bone pain relievers, muscle relaxants, antibiotics, iron supplements, some blood pressure medications. Stopping these medications can improve symptoms.
Signs that it may be more than just dyspepsia
To recover… you must adjust your behavior as follows
- Avoid smoking, alcohol, tea, coffee, chocolate, soft drinks, fatty foods, sweets, and spicy foods.
- Avoid medications that irritate the gastrointestinal tract such as aspirin and pain relievers for joints.
- Eat meals on time and have dinner at least 3 hours before bedtime.
- Chew food thoroughly, do not rush, and avoid overeating.
- After eating, do not lie down or bend forward, and avoid tightening your belt.
- If overweight, try to lose weight.
- If stressed, exercise regularly and find ways to relax.
