COMMON DIGESTION PROBLEMS

1.Chronic constipation-Chronic constipation indicates a problem with getting rid of waste. This most often occurs when the colon can’t pass or move stools through the rest of the digestive tract. You may experience abdominal pain and bloating as well as fewer bowel movements (which are more painful than usual).

Chronic constipation is one of the most common digestive problems.Getting enough fiber, water, and exercise will likely help curb constipation.

2.Food intolerance-Food intolerance occurs when your digestive system can’t tolerate certain foods. Unlike food allergies, which can cause hives and respiratory problems, an intolerance only affects digestion.

Food intolerance is usually diagnosed by keeping and reviewing a food diary. Recording what you eat and when can help you identify which foods are triggering your symptoms.

Celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder, is one type of food intolerance. It causes digestive problems when you eat gluten (a protein in wheat, barley, and rye). People with celiac disease must follow a gluten-free diet to minimize symptoms and damage to the small intestine.

3.GERD-Heartburn is an occasional occurrence for many adults. This happens when stomach acids go back up into the esophagus, causing chest pain and the trademark burning sensation.

If you have more frequent heartburn, you might have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Such frequent episodes can interfere with your daily life and damage your esophagus.You may need medications to control heartburn. A damaged esophagus can make swallowing difficult and disrupt the rest of the digestive system.

4.Inflammatory bowel disease-Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a type of chronic swelling. It affects one or more parts of the digestive tract.

There are two types of IBD:

• Crohn’s disease: affects the entire gastrointestinal (GI) tract but most commonly affects the small intestine and the colon
• ulcerative colitis: affects only the colon

It’s important to diagnose and treat IBD as soon as possible. Not only will you be more comfortable, but early treatment also reduces damage to the GI tract.

SYMPTOMS

People with indigestion may have one or more of the following symptoms:

• Early fullness during a meal. You haven't eaten much of your meal, but you already feel full and may not be able to finish eating.
• Uncomfortable fullness after a meal. Fullness lasts longer than it should.
• Discomfort in the upper abdomen. You feel a mild to severe pain in the area between the bottom of your breastbone and your navel.
• Burning in the upper abdomen. You feel an uncomfortable heat or burning sensation between the bottom of your breastbone and your navel.
• Bloating in the upper abdomen. You feel an uncomfortable sensation of tightness due to a buildup of gas.
• Nausea. You feel as though you want to vomit.
• belching
• bloating and/or cramps
• Abdominal pain
• diarrhea
• headache
• heartburn
• irritability
• gas
• Vomiting
• chest discomfort
• sour taste in the mouth
• sore throat
• swallowing difficulties
• fatigue
• incomplete bowel movements
• loss of appetite and subsequent weight loss
• night sweats
• rectal bleeding

CAUSES

Indigestion has many possible causes. Often, indigestion is related to lifestyle and may be triggered by food, drink or medication. Common causes of indigestion include:

• Overeating or eating too quickly
• Fatty, greasy or spicy foods
• Too much caffeine, alcohol, chocolate or carbonated beverages
• Smoking
• Anxiety
• Certain antibiotics, pain relievers and iron supplements

Sometimes indigestion is caused by other digestive conditions, including: Sometimes indigestion is caused by other digestive conditions, including:

• Inflammation of the stomach (gastritis)
• Peptic ulcers
• Celiac disease
• Gallstones
• Constipation
• Pancreas inflammation (pancreatitis)
• Stomach cancer
• Intestinal blockage
• Reduced blood flow in the intestine (intestinal ischemia)

Indigestion with no obvious cause is known as functional or nonulcer dyspepsia

COMPLICATIONS

Digestion problems can be due to serious diseases, failure to seek treatment can result in serious complications and permanent damage. Once the underlying cause is diagnosed, it is important for you to follow the treatment plan to reduce the risk of potential complications including:

• Bowel infarction (severe injury to an area of the bowel due to decreased blood supply)
• Infertility
• Internal hemorrhage
• Intestinal obstruction and rupture of the intestinal wall
• Organ failure or dysfunction
• Ruptured appendix
• Spread of cancer
• Spread of infection

PREVENTION

To reduce the risk of indigestion , you can:

• Maintain a healthy weight. If you're overweight or obese, talk to your doctor about strategies to help you lose weight. Aim for a slow and steady weight loss of 1 or 2 pounds a week.
• Choose a diet full of fruits and vegetables. Try to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet each day. Choose a wide variety of colorful fruits and vegetables.
• Reduce the amount of salty and smoked foods you eat. Protect your stomach by limiting these foods.
• Stop smoking and alcohol. If you smoke and drink, quit. Smoking and drinking increases your risk of stomach cancer and other indigestion .
• Drinking plenty of water on a regular basis and eating a balanced diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
• Exercising regularly
• Getting screening exams for colon polyps and colon cancer
• Treating and controlling chronic conditions

DIAGNOSIS

If you are experiencing severe symptoms or are older than age 55, your doctor may recommend:

• Colonoscopy
• Upper GI endoscopy
• capsule endoscopy
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and
• endoscopic ultrasound.
• Laboratory tests, to check for anemia or metabolic disorders.
• Breath and stool tests, to check for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), the bacterium associated with peptic ulcers, which can cause indigestion. H. pylori testing is controversial because studies suggest limited benefit from treating the bacterium unless it is associated with a peptic ulcer.
• Imaging tests (X-ray or CT scan), to check for intestinal obstruction or another issue.

TREATMENT

Many surgical procedures are performed on the digestive tract. These include procedures done using endoscopy, laparoscopy, and open surgery. Organ transplants can be performed on the liver, pancreas, and small intestine.Lifestyle changes may help ease indigestion. Your doctor may recommend:

• Avoiding foods that trigger indigestion
• Eating five or six small meals a day instead of three large meals
• Reducing or eliminating the use of alcohol and caffeine
• Avoiding certain pain relievers, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve)
• Finding alternatives for medications that trigger indigestion
• Controlling stress and anxiety

If your indigestion persists, medications may help. Over-the-counter antacids are generally the first choice. Other options include:

• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which can reduce stomach acid. PPIs may be recommended if you experience heartburn along with indigestion.
• H-2-receptor antagonists (H2RAs), which can also reduce stomach acid.
• Prokinetics, which may be helpful if your stomach empties slowly.
• Antibiotics, if H. pylori bacteria are causing your indigestion.
• Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications, which may ease the discomfort from indigestion by decreasing your sensation of pain.

EFFECTIVENESS OF ACUPUNCTURE

Acupuncture works on this type of indigestion by manipulating the flow of energy through the digestive system.A pin, rather than a pill, could help those living with the most common form of recurring indigestion.Researchers say a 4-week course of acupuncture appears to relieve symptoms of postprandial distress syndrome (PDS), a form of indigestion characterized by early fullness after eating and upper abdominal bloating.Researchers say acupuncture could be a safe and effective alternative.

The study found that patients who received acupuncture were significantly more likely to report “improvement” or “extreme improvement” and complete resolution in their symptoms.The effects of acupuncture on the GI tract is unbelievable.

MECHANISM OF ACUPUNCTURE

Acupuncture manipulates the flow of energy along the meridians of the body and gets it moving in the direction it is supposed to be going.

Just as gastrointestinal disorders may be seen as problems with the movement of food through the stomach and intestines, Acupuncture seeks to address the “counterflow” of energy through the body.In Chinese medicine, stomach energy needs to move downward through the digestive tract.If there is something moving upward, then the qi (life energy) is rebelling. It needs to be balanced.

There is evidence that Acupuncture acts on the autonomic nervous system (in this case the vagus nerve) and this may alter stomach motility and relaxation.

Acupuncture also likely has effects on pain processing at both central and peripheral levels. Finally, there is a high placebo response to Acupuncture , and the subtle differences in how the needles were placed and manipulated could have biased the response somewhat.

Acupuncturists may treat conditions like PDS by inserting needles far from the source of the problem.There are a couple of Acupuncture points on the outer calf below the knee that are really great for digestive issues, and on the inner wrist for abdominal fullness.There is a promising results using Acupuncture to treat indigestion.Acupuncture target the autonomic nervous system and pain processing in the brain for indigestion.

BEST CURE FOR DIGESTION

Looking for the best relief for indigestion in Chennai, here’s why you should reach out to the expert Acupuncturist. A. Shaji Bharath from the best rated clinic Dr.Bharath’s Acu Heal. He is currently treating patients for a wide range of conditions. As a best acupuncture practitioner with 15 years of experience, and having worked with several urologists, Acupuncturist. A. Shaji Bharath can create the treatment plan for the best cure for indigestion to manage the condition that's tailored to your needs. As the top acupuncture doctor in Chennai he has witnessed acupuncture doing wonders for people suffering from indigestion . The effectiveness rate increases several times just with one course of Acupuncture. So, take some time to find the right pain management and best remedy for acupuncture approach that suits you. Most of the people swear by acupuncture, citing it as a best cure and a ‘miracle’ to improving their quality of life. To contact the top acupuncture doctor in Chennai, Dial: +91 9884746916 or Visit: drbharathsacuheal.com for more details.

BEST ACUPUNCTURE DOCTOR NEAR ME

To choose the Best doctor for Acupuncture, it's important that the Acupuncturist should have a decade of experience and treated at least 1000 to 2000 patients.

You can also search for the Best Acupuncture Doctor near me or ask your primary care physician to refer an experienced Acupuncturist nearby. Once you find the Best Acupuncture Doctor in Chennai, you may go through their google reviews first and then fix an appointment with the doctor only when you are satisfied with the reviews.

The Best Acupuncture Doctor should address your concerns and help you feel more comfortable before your first session. Acupuncture usually takes numerous sessions or several weeks to get a complete cure in any ailment but within 3 or 4 sessions the patients will experience positive differences.

BEST ACUPUNCTURE CLINIC NEAR ME

There are numerous clinics popping up and it is sometimes skeptical to choose the best or even the safe one. To address such concerns, you can look into the following points to choose the best acupuncture clinic for treating indigestion problems . Acupuncture is also offered in hospital, pain clinics and by healthcare organizations but it is ideal to visit the best Acupuncture Clinic. If you are not sure, it would be a good idea to contact your local doctor to see if they would be prepared to refer to the best rated acupuncture clinics.Acupuncture is offered in top rated acupuncture clinics near me because conventional treatment has failed or produces unacceptable side effects. Most of the best acupuncture clinics will spell out very clearly what type of acupuncture they practice and how professional they are - at present anyone can set themselves up as an acupuncturist but reputable practitioners will belong to an organization. So while you are filtering the best clinics for acupuncture that treats indigestion, you can look out for these factors. Treatment without surgery for indigestion is possible through acupuncture and it gives the best result.

We have been rewarded a 5-star rating from Google & Practo. You can also check the reviews there.

THE BOTTOM LINE

You may be able to overcome digestion problems with treatment and lifestyle changes. Certain diseases of the digestive system might be long-term, but acupuncture can help alleviate symptoms.

Dr.Bharath, can Identify the specific digestion problems and can give you a proper diagnosis and best treatment. Dial +91 9884746916 or Visit: drbharathsacuheal.com to get the best remedy. Remember, you don’t have to put up with constant digestive issues.

SCIENTIFIC REFERENCES

• Li DD, Yue ZH, Chao XL, Xie T, Hu GZ, Yang J. (2014). Evaluation of Long Term Effect of Electroacupuncture on Patients with Functional Dyspepsia. Journal of Clinical Acupuncture and Moxibustion. 30 (2).
• Feng GX, Zhu Y, Jiang FD. (2004). The efficacy of conventional and auricular Acupuncture in treating Functional Dyspepsia (35 cases). Journal of Modern Chinese Medicine. 36(1): 48-49.
• Li YY. The effect of acupuncture on gastric acid secretion. (1991). Chinese Journal of Digestion. (6): 358.
• Hong Feng. Observations on the Efficacy of Electroacupuncture at Points Gongsun and Neiguan in Treating Functional Dyspepsia[J]. Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, 2016.

FAQ:

What are the services provided for digestion by Dr. Bharath’s Acu Heal?

After a thorough investigation by pulse and tongue diagnosis, the Acupuncturist will understand the condition of the disease. Acupuncture treatment will be given based on the disease’s chronicity and acuteness. In the first few sessions, there will be positive changes in the symptoms and after few more sessions, there will be a 90% to 100% chance that the patient will get cured of digestion. The patient will be advised on a diet with food restrictions, exercise regime which includes a sound sleep that plays a vital role in reversing the disease.

What are the benefits of acupuncture for digestion?

This is a drugless therapy and so no side effects. Before starting the treatment, the cause for indigestion is analyzed so that the treatment can be given from the root cause of the problem. By doing this, digestion, metabolism gets improved and also eradicate constipation. After completing the course of treatment any form of medication can be stopped.

How many sessions do you need for digestion?

It takes around 20 to 30 sessions in a period of 2 to 3 months.