Question: I get dreadful indigestion, no matter what I eat. What can you suggest?
Answer: If indigestion lasts more than two weeks despite your best efforts, talk to your doctor. Other warning signs include nausea, chest pain, bloody stools, or vomiting.
Assuming that you do have the medical all-clear, you will need to take a careful look at the foods you eat, as well as how often and how much.
Fruit juice is a common culprit, thanks to its fructose, a sugar that can cause bloating and wind when it is broken down in the digestive tract.
If dairy foods make you feel gassy, you could be unable to digest lactose, which is a sugar found in milk. Experiment with avoiding both of these and see if this eliminates the indigestion.
If that doesn't help, here are some other top tips to beat your indigestion:
Eat slowly and deliberately: Wolfing down your food overloads your digestive system and also causes you to swallow air, which contributes to indigestion.
Don't eat close to bedtime: Your last meal for the day should be at least three hours before you go to sleep.
Avoid tight clothing: Clothes that are tight around your tummy put pressure on your stomach, forcing its contents upwards.
Go herbal: Time-honoured treatments for indigestion include ginger, taken as a tea or supplement and chamomile or peppermint tea. Or, try chewing on Mintec peppermint oil capsules after eating; they are available in chemists. You can also try chewing on a teaspoon of caraway or fennel seeds.
Take a drink: Add a teaspoon of herbal bitters to warm water and sip before eating. Alternatively, add 1-2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to warm water and drink after eating.
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