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Heartburn & IndigestionHeartburn and indigestion are often confused by
parallel conditions. The most common symptom
of indigestion is heartburn. Heartburn
is a burning chest pain that occurs when stomach acid and other contents flow
backward, or reflux, into the esophagus.
Unlike the stomach, the lining of the esophagus has no protective lining
or mucus producing tissue, so the acid produces irritation and even
ulcerations.
Indigestion is a more vague feeling of discomfort
and pain in the upper abdomen and chest.
It includes the feeling of fullness and bloating, associated with belching
and nausea. It can be triggered by
drinking alcohol, carbonated beverages, eating too fast or too much, fatty or
spicy foods and taking too much caffeine or high fibre foods. Reflux
is made worse by foods such as chocolate or peppermint that relax the sphincter
muscle connecting the esophagus to the stomach.
Avoiding large meals towards the end of the day,
proper posture and eliminating smoking helps avoid indigestion and heartburn. Homeopathy |
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