In our daily lives, we are likely to have experienced indigestion problems, such as flatulence, abdominal pain, hiccups, nausea, etc. But what exactly is the cause of such problems? Let’s find out.

Causes 

Greasy diet

Too much greasy food is difficult for the intestines to digest, and it can easily bring about symptoms such as bloating and indigestion, as well as skin problems.

Poor eating habits

Eating too fast, or talking while eating can send a lot of air into the body, resulting in flatulence.

Digestive dysfunctions that lead to indigestion

Some common digestive system diseases, such as gastric ulcer and gastritis, are likely to cause abdominal distention and indigestion after meals.

Excessive stress

Stress can sometimes bring about endocrine disorders, resulting in abnormal gastrointestinal motility, such as excessive gastric acid or intestinal peristalsis. These symptoms will stimulate the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, leading to diarrhoea or indigestion.

Excessive gastric acid

We all need some gastric acid to digest our food. However, when it gets too much, the stomach’s protective barrier can be damaged. This can cause a burning sensation in the stomach,  acid regurgitation, and vomiting. 

The dangers of indigestion 

You might be more susceptible to chronic gastrointestinal diseases

The precursor of many chronic gastrointestinal diseases is indigestion, which indicates that there is a problem with personal digestive function. If not treated in time, it may further turn into chronic gastrointestinal diseases, making treatment at later stages more complex.

There is a risk of developing anaemia

Anaemia, on one hand, is caused by malnutrition due to indigestion, and on the other hand, because indigestion aggravates gastrointestinal motility disorders, resulting in constipation and blood in the stool. On the other hand, chronic gastrointestinal bleeding is caused by primary diseases of indigestion, such as gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, ulcerative colitis, etc.

Diarrhoea

Because the balance in the intestine is disturbed, diarrhoea is actually a protective mechanism that flushes out toxins from the body. While it is usually not serious, it can feel exhausting at times!

Worsening of  cancer symptoms 

If you already have chronic gastrointestinal issues or cancer, symptoms of indigestion are exacerbated. Your symptoms can also be a sign that your condition is worsening.  

Malnutrition

Long-term indigestion will directly affect the absorption of food nutrients in the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in malnutrition. This can happen not because someone doesn’t have enough nutrients, but because of malabsorption, where the body is unable to absorb the nutrients. 

Abdominal pain

Too much accumulation in the stomach and abnormal intestinal peristalsis can lead to vomiting and abdominal pain, especially for children.