DEFINITION:– a symptom of a disorder in the stomach or intestines, or a disorder in itself
Symptoms:
- Abdominal pain
- Allergic symptoms
- Belching
- Bloated feeling
- Burning sensation after eating
- Chronic bowel irritation
- Chronic fatigue
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Gas
- Insomnia
- Joint and muscle pain
- Nausea
- Rumbling noises
- Skin disorders
- Sugar cravings
- Vomiting
- Heartburn
Causes:
- Swallowing air (by chewing with the mouth, open, talking while chewing, or gulping down food)
- Drinking liquids with meals – dilutes digestive enzymes
- Foods that irritate the digestive system (alcohol, caffeine, greasy, spicy or refined foods, vinegar)
- Intestinal obstruction
- Lack of normal gut flora
- Malabsorption
- Peptic ulcers
- Disorders of the gallbladder, liver of pancreas
- Food allergies and intolerances
Treatment:
Lifestyle Recommendations
- Eat well-balanced with plenty of high-fibre foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains
- Include fresh papaya (contains papain) and pineapple (contains bromelain) – good sources of beneficial digestive enzymes
- Add acidophilus to diet – helps digestion
- For gas, bloating and heartburn, try brown rice and/or barley broth (sip throughout the day)
- Limit intake of lentils, peanuts and soybeans – contain an enzyme inhibitor
- Avoid baked goods, beans, caffeine, carbonated beverages, citrus juices, fried and fatty foods, pasta, peppers, potato chips and other snack foods, red meat, refined carbohydrates (sugar), tomatoes and salty or spicy foods
- Avoid dairy, junk and processed foods – cause excess mucous formation, resulting in inadequate protein digestion
Supplement Recommendations
- Glucomannan (1 T in a glass of liquid upon rising) – colon cleanser that aids in normal stool formation
- Proteolytic enzymes – aid in breakdown of protein for proper absorption; combat gas and bloating (not for children)
- Catnip is good for indigestion
- Fennel is a good digestive herb – a leaf, seed or piece of stem can be chewed after big meals to prevent indigestion; fennel tea relieves indigestion
- Papaya aids digestion
- Aloe juice relieves indigestion
- Chickweed tea aids indigestion and soothes the digestive tract
- Rosemary tea relieves indigestion
- The juice from a sour fig leaf relieves indigestion