Remember back in the day the little Alka Seltzer guy - Speedy? He was telling us that if you have indigestion, just plop a little tablet in water and let it fizz away your troubles. You know the song, "plop plop fizz fizz oh what a relief it is." Such a happy little tune and such a cute little guy, making you want to run out and grab the answer to your indigestion. Then a few years later we see the man sitting on the side of the bed with "indigestion" and the whole picture gets wavy. But, tum ta tum tum TUMS comes to the rescue! We had Pepto Bismol to coat the stomach bringing relief. And I'm sure you can think of many more that TV marketing splattered across the screen for us in such a way that we would run out and buy the product.. Since that time, more elaborate things have come onto the market like Prevacid, Zantac and others to help ease digestive woes. But have we really gotten to the bottom of why in the world we have Acid Reflux, GERD, and just plain old indigestion? Did you know that most bouts occur at night?
Indigestion doesn't just happen. It is brought on by what we eat, when we eat, how we eat, stress, eating late big dinners and snacking at night. Bottom line! Do we really think that fizzing the digestion issues tonight are going to take care of the underlying problem tomorrow? Not really. The only way is to make changes. Here's some tips to help you get rid of indigestion for good!.
1. As much as most people don't like to hear it, eating that large dinner at night is the main problem. A good number don't eat much during the day - starting with the cup of coffee and donut for breakfast, then maybe a salad for lunch or a sandwich, or light meal, then the big meal at night since now we are starving! Problem with that is, we tend to eat way too large a portion, as well as too much fat and protein at the end of the day. Considering your metabolism burns its brightest during the day, and slows down to a trot at night, heavy meals just sit in your stomach, and on your waist. Ever wonder why you aren't hungry for breakfast? That's because dinner is still trying to fight its way out. So the first tip is assess your evening eating habits. As a matter of fact, your entire day! Chances are you will find the culprit right there. Ease up on the evening meals, eat lightest then, and don't snack afterwards. Drink water instead.
2. Another major, and maybe the #1 reason for indigestion is an acid condition in the body. How does that happen? Well once again, food choices and lifestyle issues. For example, when you get up your tummy is wanting food, and digestive juices are churning away in your stomach preparing to digest. Give it only a cup of coffee (which is acidic) and the juices have nothing to digest, and the coffee basically attempts to burn a hole through the stomach lining, sometimes causing pain. Of course eating the donut or pastry does help to absorb some of the stomach acids. Instead, start with a glass of water with a squeeze of lemon in it. Not only will you flush acids out of the body (lemons actually alkalize your body!), it will cleanse the liver and the digestive system. Then about half hour later give the body what it is craving...Breakfast! Choose fruits and whole grains here, maybe some protein to give you staying power. Most animal foods are acidic, so amp up more on the fruits, veggies and whole grains like brown rice and oats and cut back on the acid forming foods. Take a look at what you are eating each day, or start a journal. You will soon learn that certain foods, sodas, coffee, etc. will add to the problems. Remember its a vicious cycle, that needs to be broken.
3. Drink water. Water helps to flush acids from the body, and will help keep your digestive system primed. Thinking that the sodas you drink all day hydrate you? Think again. Not only will you become more dehydrated, but you will also find that phosphoric acid leaches calcium from the bones. Choose water instead. Or if you'd like a treat, take some 100% juice and add a little bubbly spring water (such as Perrier, or even seltzer water) to it for a fun alternative.
4. Another reason why there is so much of a influx of digestive issues is the problem with our overweight society. Weight presses on our organs, causing them to work harder, and causing things like indigestion, especially at night when you try to lie down. The weight pushes on the intestines and the stomach, and pushing the stomach up. Maybe its time to look at that, and possibly get on a good weight loss program. - exercise and diet changes.
5. Get some fresh air and exercise daily. This will not only keep you fit and trim, but also help with elimination problems. (nobody likes to talk about this, but a full colon, or one that has accumulated years of junk, is a major reason why there is a problem with indigestion. ) Think about it - the colon fills up and pushes up on all the other organs, causing the stomach to be pushed up as well...and hence hiatus hernias can exist in this condition. Take a look at your lifestyle and try to incorporate movement and outside activities into your week.
Of course, if you'd like to keep your indigestion and just pop a pill or fizzzie, keep doing what you're doing! The only way to totally eliminate indigestion is to change our habits.
To your health!
Your Contrarian Coach!
Robin
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