The Facts on Indigestion
When most people talk about indigestion, they refer to it as an upset tummy. But the term indigestion is also known as dyspepsia, which is simply a burning feeling in the abdomen. This burning feeling also can come along with bloating, belching, nausea, and even some vomiting. Most of the time, indigestion is simply caused by eating way too much or too fast along with eating while stressed out. This can even come about because of the intake of too many fatty foods.
The fact is, indigestion can and will happen to just about everyone at some point in his or her life. The difference is that for some people, indigestion is more serious and more frequent then for others. For these people, a doctor needs to seriously take a look at the situation because there is a disease called gastroesophageal reflux disease that hits the digestive tract hard. There is also the consideration that a person could just have nonulcer dyspepsia, which is where there is too much squeezing of the stomach.
Diagnosing the Problem
When the indigestion gets bad enough or it does not let up after trying some home treatments along with a modified diet, there needs to be help of a doctor that comes into play. This is not only to relieve the pain and suffering that the patient is experiencing from the indigestion but because the stomach problems may actually be a symptom of a much greater problem. If the person is having black stools or blood within the vomit or if there is shortness of breath along with discomfort when eating, a doctor should be seen right away.
To diagnose indigestion or what may be causing it will require going through some tests that the doctor will ask for. There could be X rays taken of the small intestine and the stomach as well. Also, the patient may have to go through an endoscopy where the doctor uses a tool, or instrument, to get a good look first hand at what is really happening inside the body. Diagnosing the problem of indigestion is normally done with ease and in very few cases are doctors stumped at what is happening or how to treat it. As long as action is taken right away, most people who suffer from indigestion can be treated and the problem can be taken care of with medication most times.
