Does indigestion cause constipation?

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 01, 2024
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Indigestion can cause constipation, as the gastrointestinal tract's ability to digest and absorb food decreases, preventing efficient elimination of feces. Indigestion is common among adolescents, often due to irregular and spicy eating habits, a preference for puffed food, and insufficient water intake. Prolonged periods can lead to constipation, so it is important to adjust dietary habits, eat more green vegetables, drink plenty of water, engage in outdoor activities, and develop the habit of defecating at regular times. These measures can effectively alleviate or prevent constipation.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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How to regulate indigestion caused by stomach acid?

Symptoms of excessive stomach acid and indigestion usually indicate insufficient gastric motility and hypersecretion of stomach acid. Many gastrointestinal diseases may present these symptoms, so it is advisable to first check with a gastroscopy and a test for Helicobacter pylori. Treatment should be targeted based on the results of the tests. At the same time, it is important to develop good living habits, ensure proper balance between work and rest, and have meals at regular times and in controlled amounts, or eat smaller, more frequent meals. Try to avoid extreme hunger or overeating, and excessive eating and drinking, while also quitting smoking and alcohol. The principle for diet is to consume light and easily digestible food, and to avoid raw, greasy, spicy, and irritating foods.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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What should I do if I have indigestion and feel like vomiting?

Symptoms of indigestion, nausea, and the urge to vomit should be treated differently based on the duration of the condition. If these symptoms appear in the short term and there is no history of stomach diseases, it might be suitable to take prokinetic drugs moderately, pay attention to a light diet, and recovery is often achievable. If the symptoms recur frequently, further examination is needed, with gastroscopy being the initial choice. Treatment should be based on the examination results, and combining prokinetic drugs, such as mosapride, often leads to significant effects. At the same time, dietary habits should focus on light and easy-to-digest foods, and it is best to avoid raw, greasy, and spicy foods that cause irritation. Additionally, quitting smoking and drinking, and maintaining a positive mindset are also helpful. (Note: The use of medication should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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What should a baby eat if they have indigestion?

If the baby has indigestion, first of all, in terms of diet, provide light and easily digestible foods, such as rice porridge and noodles as complementary foods. If the baby is breastfed, the mother should eat a light diet and avoid greasy and spicy foods. If the baby is fed with cow's milk, try to dilute it a bit to aid in digestion. At the same time, they can eat more vegetables and fruits, which are relatively easy to digest. Some traditional Chinese medicines can also be given for regulation, such as Shenqu, Ji Nei Jin, hawthorn, and malt, all of which aid digestion. Additionally, intestinal probiotics can be added to regulate gastrointestinal function and an appropriate amount of zinc can be supplemented to increase appetite.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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What tests should be done for indigestion?

Indigestion is relatively common in clinical practice. Patients can undergo several diagnostic tests to rule out other causes of indigestion. These tests include gastroscopy, complete blood count, liver function tests, Helicobacter pylori testing, and abdominal ultrasound. Generally, if these tests show no issues, especially if the patient's symptoms are persistent and not accompanied by any alarming signs such as fever, bloody stools, vomiting blood, decreased appetite, or weight loss, indigestion is usually considered. In terms of treatment, symptomatic treatment is emphasized. Typically, medications that protect the stomach, improve gastrointestinal motility, and aid digestion can be used and generally provide some degree of control. Of course, this is under the assumption that other causes of abdominal discomfort, such as ulcers, inflammation, or even tumors, have been ruled out. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Si Li Li
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Can I eat pumpkin with indigestion?

Patients with indigestion can eat an appropriate amount of pumpkin. Indigestion often occurs in several diseases, including gastrointestinal neurofunctional disorders, chronic gastritis, and peptic ulcers. An endoscopy can confirm the diagnosis. Patients with indigestion should pay attention to their diet; first and foremost, they should quit smoking and drinking. They should not consume strong tea, coffee, fatty and rich foods, spicy foods, fried foods, grilled foods, raw and cold foods, or sweets. Pumpkin is relatively easy to digest. Eating it in moderate amounts will not overburden the digestive tract or affect digestive functions, and generally does not cause symptoms of indigestion. Therefore, patients with indigestion can eat pumpkin in moderation.