Indigestion After Eating
Common triggers and the first hour after meals checklist
Most of us will have experienced indigestion after eating at some point – it can be caused by stomach acid travelling upwards towards the throat, otherwise known as acid reflux.
It can make you bloated or uncomfortable. Some sufferers say their stomach feels full even after a small meal.
In this blog post, we’ll be looking at why indigestion commonly occurs and how food and drink play their part in your belly bother.
We’ll also share some practical tips on what to eat to avoid indigestion and how to help support digestion in the first hour after meals.
Why indigestion happens after meals
Indigestion is often felt as discomfort in the upper part of the stomach – known as dyspepsia – or burning pain behind the breastbone – commonly known as heartburn.
They can occur together or on their own after eating, leading to pain and inflammation.
There are several reasons why you can feel as though you get indigestion after a meal but stomach acid irritating the lining or refluxing into the food pipe and up into the throat is usually the main cause.
Indigestion is usually associated with food because eating increases stomach acid production.
Eating large meals – especially fatty or spicy foods – can make this worse. Drinks that cause indigestion include coffee and alcohol.
Other factors including smoking, stress or taking certain medications, can trigger it too.
The first hour after meals checklist
If you do suffer with the feeling of a burning stomach sensation after eating, there are things you can try to help relieve the discomfort of indigestion.
Staying upright after eating
Gravity can come to the rescue here if your stomach feels full after a small meal. Remaining upright after eating can keep the acid down in the stomach where it belongs. For the same reason, if you suffer from reflux at night you could try raise your head and shoulders in bed so they’re above your waist to help stop acid from travelling upwards.
Exercise to support digestion
Moderate exercise can help to support better digestion. Activities such as walking or yoga can help move food and gas through the digestive tract, to alleviate bloating and indigestion after eating.
Avoiding tight clothing
Restrictive clothing, particularly tight waistbands, can induce symptoms ranging from gas and bloating to acid reflux. If indigestion is a regular problem try wearing loose fitting clothing to help reduce the pressure on the stomach.
Limiting additional coffee, alcohol or fizzy drinks
Drinks that can cause indigestion include alcohol, as it may relax the muscle that keeps acid in the stomach, which can lead to reflux. Caffeine and soft drinks are also known triggers for some people.
Drink water
Keeping well-hydrated has multiple benefits but for heartburn and indigestion it can help to dilute the acid.
Allowing time before lying down
When you lie down too soon after eating, it becomes easier for stomach acid and food to flow back up into the food pipe, which can cause reflux and discomfort. Medical guidance recommends waiting around 3-4 hours after eating before lying down to reduce this risk and allow the stomach to empty more effectively.
Bisodol
For relief from occasional indigestion after eating, you can try Bisodol, which can help relieve indigestion and its symptoms. You should also note your common triggers and make smarter choices regarding the foods and drinks you consume.
Over the counter treatments
Making some simple lifestyle and dietary changes can help to relieve or prevent indigestion symptoms.
If you need further advice speak to your pharmacist about suitable over the counter remedies such as antacids.
Bisodol Indigestion Relief Tablets contain a unique triple action formula to help quickly relieve the symptoms of acid indigestion. They work by helping to neutralise excess stomach acid which helps to treat the pain and discomfort of acid indigestion, heartburn and trapped wind.
Conclusion
Indigestion after every meal can be more manageable with some practical adjustments.
Identifying and limiting or cutting out trigger foods can help alongside improving mealtime habits, such as not rushing food or overeating, eating smaller more frequent meals instead.
Bisodol Indigestion Relief Tablets are for the relief of the symptoms of gastric hyperacidity, variously called indigestion, heartburn, dyspepsia and flatulence. Always read the label.
