Indigestion
Indigestion or reflux causes a burning pain in the chest. It may be possible to reduce the symptoms of indigestion by making some simple changes to eating.
The pain and discomfort associated with indigestion is caused by stomach acid entering the oesophagus. This acid reflux irritates the walls of the oesophagus causing 'heartburn'.
Reducing the pain of heartburn
Different people may find that different things help to reduce the symptoms associated with heartburn. The following tips may help:
- eat small meals to stop the stomach getting too full
- if hungry, eat small healthy snacks between meals rather than eating larger meals
- eat the evening meal a couple of hours before going to bed
- wear loose fitting clothing to reduce any pressure on the stomach
- sit up straight when eating and avoid bending or lying down immediately after eating
- sleep with the bed-head raised
Choosing the right foods
Certain foods may worsen indigestion in some people. These include:
- alcohol, especially on an empty stomach
- fatty foods including fried foods, fatty meats and pastry
- caffeine, found in tea, coffee, cola and chocolate
- spicy foods such as curry, chilli and pepper
The symptoms of indigestion and the particular foods that worsen indigestion are different for different people.
An Accredited Practising Dietitian can provide individual, expert dietary advice to help minimise the discomfort associated with indigestion while ensuring the diet is healthy and balanced.
