Home Remedies for Indigestion: Natural Ways to Treat at Home

10 Ways to Get Rid of Indigestion Fast

10 Natural Remedies for Indigestion That Really Work

Your favorite foods can delight your taste buds. But if you eat too fast or consume too much of these foods, you may experience occasional indigestion.

Symptoms of indigestion can include uncomfortable abdominal fullness after eating, or you may have a chest pain or a burning sensation in your upper stomach. Indigestion isn’t a disease but rather a symptom of other gastrointestinal problems, such as an ulcer, gastritis, or acid reflux.

Luckily, getting indigestion relief fast is fairly simple, as long as the condition isn’t the result of a chronic, underlying health problem. What helps indigestion fast? Read on for our top at-home remedies on how to get rid of indigestion fast.

Also see: The Best and Worst Foods for Acid Reflux and Heartburn

What Can I Take for Indigestion

Many people may not know they are dealing with indigestion. Some signs that may go unnoticed include hoarseness, feelings of throat pressure, nasal congestion, sour taste in the mouth, and a chronic cough.

Some commercially available medications and supplements can help cure indigestion fast. For soothing relief from stomach upset, bloating, diarrhea, and heartburn, try one of the following treatments.

Also see: What You Need to Know About Heartburn

1. Over-the-Counter Antacids

Commercially available antacids are probably the most widely used treatment to get rid of indigestion pain fast. Because they help increase the pH of your stomach, you can use antacids to ease indigestion discomfort caused by excess stomach acid. Acid reflux, upper GI pain, gas, bloating, and heartburn typically respond well to antacid medications.

Also see: The Ultimate Guide To Eating Well For Much, Much Less

2. Baking Soda

Baking soda has been known to improve indigestion. Because sodium bicarbonate has a high pH, it neutralizes acid in the stomach and can help alleviate bloating, gas, and upper GI discomfort. To use this treatment, mix one-half teaspoon of baking soda in about four ounces of water and drink it.

Too much sodium bicarbonate can cause uncomfortable side effects, including stomach cramps, nausea, constipation, or diarrhea. If you choose to use this treatment, you must wait at least two hours between doses.

Consuming too much baking soda to treat indigestion can also affect your health, especially if you’re older. According to experts, adults under the age of 60 should not consume more than seven-half teaspoons of baking soda in 24 hours. Those over 60 should not have more than three half teaspoons in 24 hours.

Also see: What to Eat to Reduce Stress, Anxiety and Depression

What to Eat When You Have Indigestion

Eating too quickly, consuming fatty or spicy foods, or overeating are the most common indigestion triggers. And just as you can provoke indigestion by eating, you can also treat indigestion by consuming certain stomach-soothing foods or beverages.

Here are the best foods and drinks for getting rid of indigestion pain fast.

Also see: 7 Foods That Are Bad For Lung Health

3. Peppermint or Chamomile

Researchers have found that peppermint is an effective natural remedy for reducing abdominal pain associated with indigestion. You can sip peppermint tea as the warm water will help soothe your stomach, or if you have mint essential oil, that can work too.

Chamomile can also help ease indigestion as it naturally reduces inflammation and spasms, so it can help lessen stomach pain. If you take a blood thinner, consult your doctor before using chamomile to help fix your indigestion.

Also see: 7 Tips to Lower Blood Sugar Naturally

4. Licorice Root

Licorice can help relieve your indigestion quickly because it contains compounds that help reduce inflammation in your digestive tract. While scientists don’t yet fully understand how the herb helps soothe stomach upset, research suggests it improves food movement through the digestive tract.

To relieve indigestion, you can chew on licorice root or add it to hot water to make tea. But be careful not to consume too much. Licorice can cause electrolyte imbalances when taken in higher doses, so stick with 2.5 grams or less per day.

Also see: 7 Foods That Are High in Vitamin D

5. Fennel

Fennel seed is another common food that has been known to improve indigestion quickly. The herb can naturally reduce stomach spasms, and researchers have also found it helps improve delayed gastric emptying that affects many people with dyspepsia. Chewing fennel seeds or sipping fennel tea can help soothe stomach cramps, bloating, and nausea associated with indigestion.

Also see: 15 Foods You Can Eat Without Gaining Weight

6. Ginger

Ginger has a centuries-long history of medicinal use for a wide variety of health conditions, including indigestion. The herb contains compounds that researchers have found can help speed up stomach contractions. When consumed, it can help move indigestion-causing foods through your digestive tract more quickly, giving you soothing relief.

Compounds present in ginger can also help alleviate nausea and diarrhea that may accompany indigestion and reduce vomiting. For fast relief, you can drink ginger tea or, if you can stomach anything, you can add ginger to bland food like white rice. Be sure to eat slowly to avoid worsening your symptoms.

Also see: Stress Relieving Foods

7. Apple Cider Vinegar

Some people get indigestion because their stomach doesn’t produce enough acid to digest their food properly. If you’re one of those people, taking one to two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in water can help get rid of indigestion fast.

Because apple cider vinegar is naturally acidic, it can help stimulate your body’s production and secretion of stomach acid. With more acid in your stomach, your body can digest your food faster, which can help alleviate the discomfort, bloating, and heartburn associated with indigestion.

Also see: Artificial Sweeteners: Good or Bad?

8. Aloe Vera

Researchers have found that aloe vera is an effective natural treatment for several symptoms of indigestion, including:

  • Heartburn
  • Flatulence
  • Acid regurgitation
  • Food regurgitation
  • Belching
  • Nausea
  • Trouble swallowing (dysphagia)

Also see: The Incredible Potato for Vitamins and Minerals

How to Get Rid of Indigestion at Night

If you eat dinner too fast or choose foods that are too greasy, fatty, or spicy, you may suffer from indigestion in the evening. Consuming a lot of alcohol at night can also cause stomach inflammation, which may lead to symptoms of indigestion like heartburn, upper abdominal pain, or nausea.

To get rid of indigestion at night, you should keep the head of your bed elevated, avoid late-night meals or eating within two hours of bedtime, avoid exercise before bedtime, avoid a nightcap (alcoholic beverage), and no smoking before bedtime.

Other ways to fix indigestion at night include:

Also see: Cooked or Raw? The Best Ways to Eat 9 Healthy Veggies

9. Elevate Your Upper Body

You might feel like laying down and going to sleep, but unfortunately, lying horizontal will only make your indigestion symptoms worse. When you lie down, stomach acid is more likely to travel backward and into your throat, where it can cause serious heartburn pain. To avoid that discomfort, use a few pillows to prop up your upper chest, neck, and head.

If possible, it’s best to avoid laying down at all if your stomach is still full. Sitting or standing can help your food digest faster and minimize your indigestion symptoms.

Also see: Is It Indigestion or Heart Attack?

10. Take a Warm Bath or Apply a Warm Compress

Heat can help ease indigestion by relaxing tension and cramping and alleviating bloating. When you’re ready for bed and indigestion strikes, a warm bath will not only help you unwind and get ready for sleep, but it can also provide indigestion relief fast. That’s especially true when you combine it with one of the indigestion treatments mentioned above.

If you’re not a fan of baths and it’s the middle of the night, you can also try applying a warm compress or heating pad to your abdominal area to help soothe cramping and pain.

Also see: Three Effective Home Remedies Whiten Your Teeth Naturally

When to See an ER Doctor for Indigestion

Mild and infrequent indigestion isn’t usually a cause for concern. Suppose your indigestion is causing severe pain, lasts for longer than two weeks, or causes unintentional weight loss. In that case, you should see your medical provider or go to the nearest ER of Texas emergency center.

If you are suffering from severe symptoms associated with indigestion, please visit one of our emergency room locations immediately. ER of Texas has top-rated freestanding emergency rooms in the DFW area, including Highland Village, Little Elm, Frisco, Hurst, Colleyville, Mansfield, Hillcrest, Sherman, and Uptown.

Our ERs and walk-in clinics are open 24/7, and our board-certified doctors treat all minor and major medical emergencies.

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