Indigestion

Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, Apr 06, 2001 by Mai Tran

Some alternative treatments are aimed at lowering the patient's stress level or changing attitudes and beliefs that contribute to indigestion. These therapies and practices include Reiki, reflexology, hydrotherapy, therapeutic massage, yoga, and meditation.

Since most cases of indigestion are not caused by serious disorders, many doctors prefer to try medications and other treatment measures before ordering an endoscopy.

Patients with the esophagitis type of indigestion are often treated with H2 antagonists. H2 antagonists are drugs that block the secretion of stomach acid. They include ranitidine (Zantac) and famotidine (Pepcid).

Patients with motility disorders may be given prokinetic drugs. Prokinetic medications such as metoclopramide (Reglan) and cisapride (Propulsid) speed up the emptying of the stomach and increase intestinal motility.

Antibiotic therapy may be given to wipe out H. pylori bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract.

Most cases of mild indigestion do not need medical treatment. For patients who consult a doctor and are given an endoscopic examination, 5-15% are diagnosed with GERD and 15-25% with PUD. About 1% of patients who are endoscoped have stomach cancer. Most patients with functional dyspepsia do well on either H2 antagonists or prokinetic drugs, depending on the cause of their indigestion.

Indigestion can often be prevented by attention to one's diet, general stress level, and ways of managing stress. Specific preventive measures include:

• Stopping smoking.
• Cutting down on or eliminating alcohol, tea, or coffee.
• Avoiding foods that are highly spiced or loaded with fat.
• Eating slowly and keeping mealtimes relaxed.
• Practicing yoga or meditation.
• Not taking aspirin or other medications on an empty stomach.
• Keeping one's weight within normal limits.

Effective Therapies for Indigestion TherapyDescription AcupressureMassage the soft flesh between the thumb and point finger (Large Intestine 4) and press two fingers width away from the navel on both sides of the stomach (Stomach 25) AromatherapyIngest one drop of tarragon, marjoram, or rosemary accompanied by honey or other edible oil (safflower, almond, etc.) Herbal medicineLavender, chamomile, peppermint, goldenseal, or lemon balm tea HydrotherapyHot water bottle or hot compress on abdomen MassageAbdomen massage Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)Chinese herbal formulas such as Po Chai and Pill Curing

• Cummings, Stephen, MD, and Dana Ullman, MPH. Everybody's Guide to Homeopathic Medicines. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1991.
• Gach, Michael Reed, with Carolyn Marco. Acu-Yoga: Self-Help Techniques to Relieve Tension. Tokyo and New York: Japan Publications, Inc., 1998.
• Murray, Michael, and Joseph Pizzorno. Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. Rocklin, CA: Prima Health, 1998.