7 Home Remedies for Indigestion and Gas

Remedies for Indigestion and Gas

Indigestion and gas are extremely common problems. Though you may love eating your favorite foods, sometimes those foods don’t agree with you.

Also called dyspepsia, indigestion can be very uncomfortable, and produce symptoms including:

• Heartburn
• Gas
• Bloating
• Nausea
• Belching

Thankfully, these symptoms and their causes can usually be treated at home. Here’s a look at some of the best home remedies for indigestion and gas.

The Best Home Remedies for Indigestion and Gas

1. Water

The best place to start looking for indigestion and gas relief is by drinking plenty of water.

Your body requires water to help with digestion and absorb all the nutrients from the food you eat. If you are dehydrated, your body will be unable to break down the food, and your indigestion symptoms will worsen.

Most adults should drink at least 8 cups of water per day. If you are drinking less water than this, you should start by drinking more to try to relieve your symptoms

2. Tea

Drinking peppermint or chamomile tea can help reduce symptoms of nausea and indigestion.

Tea eases discomfort in your stomach by reducing acid in your gastrointestinal tract.

However, when considering using peppermint tea as a home remedy for indigestion and gas, you should consider whether or not you are experiencing heartburn as well.

Peppermint is not recommended for people with GERD or heartburn, because it can relax the esophagus and cause heartburn to worsen.

3. Ginger

Ginger is among the most common home remedies for indigestion and gas. Ginger can help to speed up digestion, ensuring that the foods causing you indigestion and gas move through your body quickly.

You can drink a cup of ginger tea, drink ginger ale, or make ginger water.

4. Baking Soda

Try stirring some baking soda into a glass of water and drinking it. Baking soda can help counteract your stomach acid, relieving symptoms like heartburn, nausea, and gas.

You should limit your baking soda intake to no more than ½ a teaspoon per day because large amounts of baking soda can bring side effects like diarrhea and vomiting.

5. Licorice root

Licorice root lines the inside of your stomach when eaten, calming inflammation and providing relief for indigestion. You can chew licorice root or add it to boiling water to make licorice tea.

Licorice root is best used before you get symptoms of indigestion, so if you are planning to eat a meal that may cause you indigestion and gas, it is best to consume licorice root 30 minutes beforehand.

6. Heat

Taking a warm bath or using a heating pad on your abdomen can provide relief for symptoms of indigestion.

The warmth of the bath or heating pad can relax your body and relieve indigestion and gas.

7. Adjust your sleeping position and avoid lying down

Lying down while awake or sleeping in certain positions can increase the feeling of indigestion.

When you are lying down, especially on your back, the contents of your stomach are more likely to move up your digestive tract, causing feelings of indigestion. Avoid laying down if you can, and if you need to lay down or go to sleep, avoid lying on your back.

Lifestyle Changes

In addition to the above 7 home remedies for indigestion and gas, there are certain lifestyle changes you can make to get relief. If you experience frequent indigestion, dietary changes can be a big part of the puzzle to get relief.

Avoiding certain foods that are likely to upset your stomach and cause indigestion can make a big difference. Common foods that you should avoid include:

• Sodas and carbonated beverages
• Alcoholic beverages
• High citrus foods or drinks, such as lemonade, orange juice, limes, tomatoes, tomato sauce, etc.
• Greasy, fried, or fatty foods
• Coffee and other drinks or food containing caffeine
• Spicy foods
• Pizza and pasta

In addition, you should avoid overeating and eat at night. Large meals and meals eating within 3 hours of going to bed can cause indigestion. Losing weight, quitting smoking, sleeping with your head elevated, getting sufficient sleep, and staying hydrated are also all-important for getting relief from indigestion.

When to See a Doctor?

Although the above home remedies for indigestion and gas will provide relief in most cases, if you have indigestion regularly, or indigestion coupled with serious pain or other symptoms like

• Fever
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Bloody stool
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Trouble swallowing

You should seek the advice of your doctor, as these can be signs of a more serious problem.

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