Simple Tips for Indigestion
Make small changes to reduce the burn
Have you ever had a great meal nearly ruined by indigestion? Your stomach has acid that helps digest your food. Indigestion, or acid reflux, is caused when that acid and other contents of the stomach come back up your esophagus.
Indigestion is common, but everyone can experience it differently. You might have heartburn, bloating or burning in the upper abdomen, nausea, or the sense of feeling full before you’ve eaten much.
Reduce the burn
If your indigestion is mild, these tips can help ease it from home:
Avoid foods that can make indigestion worse like spicy, fried, or greasy options. Alcohol, carbonated drinks, and coffee can also trigger indigestion.
Try foods that help. High fiber choices, like oatmeal or brown rice, make you feel more full and less likely to overeat. Foods like bananas or low-fat yogurt may soothe your symptoms by coating the esophagus.
Practice good eating habits. Take small bites and eat slowly. Try not to eat 2 hours before bed so that you have time to digest before laying down.
Maintain a healthy weight and exercise routine. Extra weight can put pressure on the stomach and cause indigestion. Exercise can help strengthen the muscles that prevent food or stomach acid from coming back up.
Reducing stress and anxiety might ease your indigestion symptoms. This gentle yoga video can help you get started.
Mindfulness practice is also a great way to reduce stress.
Talk with your doctor
It’s normal to experience indigestion from time to time. But frequent acid reflux could become chronic. Talk with your doctor about Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) if you often have indigestion and the symptoms are hard to relieve. Send a Secure Message with your questions.
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