For most people, heartburn and indigestion are interchangeable, and if asked they will reply that they either have heartburn or indigestion. However, this is not the case however as heartburn and indigestion are not interchangeable. The symptoms and causes of indigestion might be the same, or similar, as those of heartburn, just as the treatments might also be similar as well. The main difference between the two is that heartburn can sometimes be caused by indigestion, while indigestion can't be caused by heartburn.
What causes indigestion?
- Food
Eating the wrong food is generally the largest and most common cause of indigestion. If you suffer from indigestion, then you will know that the first rumblings of indigestion will normally follow a meal. In general a large meal will cause an almost immediate onset of indigestion, whilst even a small meal can wreak the same havoc if containing a lot of spicy foods.
Also irregular meals can be a cause of indigestion. If you are going too long between meals this allows the acid in your stomach to remain un-neutralized for a longer period of time, thereby giving it more time to cause trouble. Regular food intake on the other hand will neutralize the acids for a short period of time, allowing your body some much needed respite.
- Stress
Many causes of indigestion can be found if you just look hard enough, and high on the list next to food, comes the two most common culprits to be found at the root of many complaints: stress and anxiety. In today's hectic twenty-four hour workday environment, stress and anxiety are very difficult to avoid.
- Drugs
Another cause of indigestion arising almost directly from stress and anxiety, is the modern tendency to 'pop a pill' when you need to keep pushing your body past its limits and it, naturally enough, starts protesting. All those pills we quaff down without a single thought will also take its toll on your body, and give rise to indigestion.
For the more unfortunate person who suffers from arthritis, the anti-inflammatory pills that they are prescribed will also eventually give rise to indigestion.
- Ulcers
There is another relatively unknown and also unseen cause for indigestion. It can arise from a peptic ulcer. This occurs when the mucous lining the stomach wall becomes damaged, exposing the stomach wall, and subjecting it to the stomach acids. Here again stress and anxiety are the two best friends in the causes of indigestion.
- Pregnancy
For a woman who is pregnant, the chances are higher that she will get indigestion. Unfortunately there isn't much that can be done about it. Again you should watch your diet closely and wait patiently to birth your baby.
As you see there are different causes of indigestion. It is different for every person suffering from this condition. But in general if you just teak your lifestyle a bit here and there you have good chances of eleminating or at least lessening indigestion problems in your life.