subject: Indigestion And Heartburn Treatment [print this page] Heartburn is a condition that creates pain behind the breastbone which travels up to the throat. This burning pain is caused because of digestive juices, including hydrochloric acid, spilling into the throat from the stomach and irritating the unprotected lining of the esophagus.
This occurs due to the loosening or relaxing of the lower esophageal sphincter muscle, which normally acts as a one-way valve preventing the flow of food or digestive juices into the throat. The two main conditions due to which heartburn may occur are gastro esophageal reflux disease and hiatal hernia.
Indigestion is any disorder affecting the digestive system and, thereby, the digestive process. Some of the effects of indigestion may be belching, flatulence, bloating, upset stomach, abdominal pain, nausea and occasional vomiting.
There is a condition called lactose intolerance, wherein the stomach is not able to digest milk and its products. In certain cases the stomach has a condition called low acidity, which again affects the digestive process. Low motility of the digestive muscles makes the movement of food material inside the digestive tract very slow, and so the digestive process is affected.
Utilizing antacids to stop heartburn problems neutralizes the acid inside the throat and the stomach area. It reduces the effect of heartburn. But it also reduces the effect of the acids, and so the digestive process itself is affected.
If the stomach muscle is also weak, the food is not well-mixed with the stomach juices, and this itself can cause indigestion. A lot of persons with heartburn also suffer from indigestion.
Both issues may exist due to weak muscles inside the digestive tract. Whichever way the indigestion is caused, it is important that when heartburn medication is taken, a strict diet is necessary.
Staying away from the intake of alcohol and stopping smoking can easily help control both heartburn and indigestion. Also, avoiding foods like citrus fruits, spicy foods and fatty foods, and eating bland and simple-to-digest foods is good for both problems.
by: Joe Johnson.
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