Americans fork out millions of dollars every year trying to find ways to alleviate the pain and discomfort of a common condition known as indigestion, or dyspepsia.
Do you frequently suffer from uncomfortable bouts of bloating, belching, or heartburn after you’ve eaten your favorite meal? If so, you may be looking for some real answers for your questions about indigestion remedies.
Maybe your medicine cabinet is already full of pills, prescription medications, and magic potions that promise to help, yet you still suffer from those awful symptoms. Perhaps you’d like to know which indigestion cures, if any, will actually work to bring lasting relief.
Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place! The most popular indigestion remedies fall under the following categories:
Over the counter remedies
Antacids are the most popular over the counter indigestion remedies, and they come in a variety of forms including gels, tablets, and liquids. People who suffer from chronic indigestion won’t leave home without a roll of antacids. They pop these little tablets as if they were after dinner mints, hoping to get a jump on the pain.
But these tasty little antacids can cause some rather distasteful side effects. Many antacids contain magnesium oxide, which has been known to cause diarrhea. High levels of sodium, which contribute to hypertension, are also found in many antacids.
Small quantities of aluminum, which is known to cause constipation, are also found in most antacids. Aluminum has been a subject of controversy over the years. This metal, which is believed by some experts to contribute to other heath problems, is not easily flushed from your body like other minerals. There have been reports that its accumulation in the human brain may be of concern.
Prescription Medications
With new regulations that allow prescription drugs to be advertised on television, many patients are requesting their doctors give them medications which were formulated to relieve heartburn, hoping it will relieve their indigestion symptoms. And doctors are obliging. While indigestion can lead to heartburn, heartburn may or may not be present with indigestion.
Therefore, while people who sufferer from heartburn may experience short term relief with these commonly prescribed medications, they may are not formulated as indigestion cures. Side effects have been reported, and popular heartburn drug, which caused abnormal heartbeats, was taken off the market.
Home remedies
Before the advent of television, people often trusted their common sense and remedies that had been passed down from generation to generation. While some of these may be old wives tales, other home remedies for indigestion are being proven by medical science to actually work.
Naturopathic remedies
Indigestion remedies, which often include diet and simple lifestyle changes, address the root cause of indigestion and not just the symptoms. These remedies are gaining in popularity among people who are looking for real solutions, as they carry very low incidences of side effects and high incidences of relief.
The best consumer is an informed consumer. Learning which indigestion remedies work can save you a lot of time, money…and heartburn.