INTRODUCTION :
Indigestion (dyspepsia) is an undefined feeling of discomfort or acute, chronic, or recurrent pain in the upper part of the abdomen during or after food intake.
Heartburn (retrosternal burning) should be distinguished from dyspepsia. Patients with dyspepsia often have heartburn as an additional symptom. When heartburn is the dominant complaint, gastroesophageal reflux is nearly always present. Dyspepsia occurs in 25% of the adult population.
Causes: Indigestion can manifest in various ways, making it a challenge to pinpoint its exact cause. Here are some common causes of indigestion:
- Irregular Eating Habits: Skipping meals or eating irregularly can disrupt digestion.
- Overeating: Consuming excessive amounts of food can overwhelm your digestive system.
- Spicy, Fatty, or Greasy Foods: These can be difficult to digest, leading to discomfort.
- High-Fiber Foods: While essential for health, too much fiber can cause indigestion.
- Excessive Caffeine: Coffee and energy drinks can irritate the stomach lining.
- Emotional Stress: Anxiety and nervousness can affect digestion negatively.
- Smoking: Tobacco smoking can lead to indigestion and other digestive issues.
- Alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption can irritate the stomach lining.
- Gallstones, Ulcers, and NSAID Use: These medical conditions and medications can contribute to indigestion.
Symptoms
- Excessive salivation
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Heaviness
- Weakness
- Vertigo
- upper abdominal fullness
- early satiety
- Burning
- bloating
- Belching
- Nausea
- Retching
- Vomiting
Principles of Treatment
- If mild symptoms are present, then advise fasting till normalcy is attained.
- If the symptoms are very severe and there is nausea, then take 2 glasses of lukewarm water added with 1-2 gm of rock salt or table salt. Then touch your pharynx (throat) with index and middle finger. This will induce vomiting leading to immediate relief of all symptoms. Then take a rest.
- In amazing having bahu ama dosha, Vamana should be done with Vacha and saindhava.
Types of Indigestion and Their Treatments:
- Amajeerna (Kapha Dosha): Treatment involves Langhan (fasting) to alleviate symptoms.
- Vidagdhajeerna (Pitta Dosha): Vaman (emesis) is recommended.
- Vishtabhajeerna (Vata Dosha): Svedana (sweating therapy) is advised.
General formulations
- In vidagdha ajirna, if the patient gets vidaha after meals, then haritaki, draksha and sita with madhu should be given.
- In all ajirna, lepa of hingu, trikatu, and saindhava on the abdomen; and divasvapna is indicated (C.D.).
3. In morning, if there is doubt of ajirna, then haritaki, nagara and saindhava churna should be taken with cold water. After this, when patient feels hungry, light food is advised (C.D.).
4. In morning, haritaki, nagara and saindhava churna should be taken with cold water.
Diet and Lifestyle:
Pathya:
- Planning of diet is essential in dyspepsia because the root cause is faulty intake of diet.
- Old rice, munga dal, rice gruel, buttermilk, lemon juice, cow’s ghee, fresh ginger, fresh garlic, black salt, and cumin seeds.
- Light food in moderate quantity.
- Take fresh food in warm conditions.
- Drink warm water or medicated water after the meal, which helps in digestion.
- Give at least 3 hours of gap between two meals.
- Chew food carefully and completely.
- Allow enough time for meals.
- A calm environment and rest may help relieve stress-related indigestion.
- Regular exercise.
Apathyam:
- Avoid heavy, cold, too much oily food,
- Avoid drinking water just before meals.
- Avoid day sleeping after meal.
- Avoid heavy meals at night time.
- Don’t take anything in between meals except liquids.
- Suppression of the natural urges.
- Excessive or scanty and also taken too early or too late.
- Avoid anxiety, worry, anger, etc. quiz-
- Avoid excitement or exercise right after a meal.
- Avoid arguments during meals.
Yoga Therapy:
Asana
- Bhujangasana (1 min.)
- Dhanurasana (30 sec.)
- Pavanamuktasana (2 min.)
- Halasana (1 min.)
- Ardhamatsyendrasana (2 minutes on each side)
- Akarna Dhanurasana (1 minute on each side)
- Udarasanchalana (3 rounds)
- Veerasana (1 minute on each side)
- Shalabhasana (3 Rounds)
- Makarasana (2 Min.)
- Sarwangasana (3 minutes)
- Matsyasana (1 minute)
- Paschimottasana (1 minute)
- Ushtrasana (2 minutes)
- Trikonasana (1 minute on each side)
- Shavasana (when needed)
- Uttanapada Chakrasana 3 rounds
Pranayama
- Suryabhedana Pranayama with Kumbhaka for 10 minutes
- Bhastrika Pranayama with Kumbhaka for 10 minutes
Indigestion, or ajirna, can disrupt daily life, but with the right approach, it can be managed effectively. Understanding the causes, recognizing symptoms, and adopting a holistic approach to treatment can help alleviate discomfort and promote better digestion. Embrace a balanced diet, mindful eating, and yoga therapy to embark on a journey toward improved digestive health.