Your risk of experiencing indigestion is higher if you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Why? Is there any link between these? Does IBS cause indigestion? Find out as you read further.
Occasionally experiencing symptoms of indigestion, especially after enjoying a favorite, heavy meal, should not be a cause for alarm. However, when it occurs more frequently with no obvious cause, it is necessary to figure out the cause.
Indigestion, medically called dyspepsia, is a gastrointestinal condition consisting of collective digestive symptoms like epigastric pain, nausea, bloating, and acid reflux. It affects 12–30% of the general population. Its symptoms usually occur after a large meal, but other underlying causes of this health condition include medical conditions like IBS.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is another gastrointestinal condition with constipation, diarrhea, and changes in bowel habits as its primary symptoms.
Some symptoms of indigestion and IBS often overlap, making you wonder how similar these health conditions are. This article explores the link between IBS and indigestion, the possible causes of indigestion, and how to relieve it.
Indigestion occurs when your body finds it difficult to digest food, causing pain or discomfort in your upper abdomen after eating. Things that can cause or trigger indigestion include:
Indigestion on its own is not a disease. Rather, it can be an indication that something is not quite right with the digestive system or that you have eaten something you shouldn't have eaten. And sometimes, it may have no explanatory cause.
Although indigestion is a common complaint, the symptoms differ for each person. Some of the symptoms of indigestion are:
IBS affects the digestive system and is one of the gastrointestinal conditions that is associated with indigestion. Yet no clear scientific or medical proof exists to show that IBS directly causes indigestion.
However, IBS and indigestion share several symptoms in common, including abdominal discomfort, bloating, and flatulence. These overlapping symptoms may be because both IBS and indigestion involve disruptions in the normal functioning of the digestive system.
Indigestion is usually triggered during or after a meal because your gastrointestinal tract or digestive system is generally put to work during these periods.
Researchers associate the link between IBS and indigestion with the severity and similarities of their symptoms.
A 2018 study to determine the overlap of functional dyspepsia and IBS in the clinical setting assessed the symptoms of 1127 outpatients using a questionnaire. Out of the 1127 outpatients, 120 were clinically diagnosed as having a functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID), which in this study includes functional dyspepsia, IBS, or overlap of both health conditions.
This study showed that 64% of the patients diagnosed with an FGID had an overlap of functional dyspepsia and IBS, and researchers observed an increase in the likelihood of this overlap in patients with severe symptoms of these health conditions.
This study concluded by associating the overlap of functional dyspepsia and IBS with the severity of their symptoms, as the severity of symptoms was higher in patients with an overlap of these two health conditions compared to patients with just IBS or functional dyspepsia.
Another study—an epidemiological review—revealed that two-thirds of people with IBS also experience symptoms of functional dyspepsia (a kind of chronic indigestion).
Additionally, both IBS and indigestion can occur due to increased gut sensitivity caused by disorders of how the brain interacts with the intestine and damage to the mucosa. For instance, symptoms like abdominal pain and bloating, common to both conditions, can occur due to increased gut sensitivity to things like gas or stomach distention.
Aside from IBS, other medical conditions can cause indigestion, such as:
GERD is a gastrointestinal disorder that occurs when your lower esophageal sphincter becomes weak, which causes acid to rise (reflux) and irritate your esophagus. GERD is also called chronic acid reflux, and it is associated with symptoms like chest pain, heartburn, and a severe cough.
Also known as stomach cancer, this health condition arises when the cells in your stomach grow out of control. This growth can happen in different locations in your stomach; most times, it starts from the lining of your stomach before penetrating deeper. Indigestion and other gastrointestinal manifestations like heartburn and trouble swallowing are possible symptoms of gastric cancer.
This occurs when open sores develop in the walls of the stomach or intestines. This can be caused by infection with H. pylori bacteria or overuse of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Ulceration of the stomach wall is called gastric or stomach ulcer, while ulceration of the upper part of the small intestine is called duodenal ulcer. Dyspepsia is a common symptom that ulcer patients experience.
This medical condition occurs when the stomach pushes past the diaphragm, a muscular wall separating the chest or thoracic region from the abdominal region. A hiatal hernia can interrupt the normal digestive processes of your body and cause indigestion.
This is a medical condition where food moves through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract slower than usual, and problems relating to the nerves and muscles of the GI tract may cause this condition. This interruption in the usual flow of food can cause indigestion. Its symptoms include nausea, bloating, abdominal pain, vomiting, and acid reflux.
Indigestion eventually gets resolved and gets better on its own. However, there are medications you can take to manage the symptoms.
Your doctor may prescribe medications depending on the cause and symptoms you experience. These include:
Medication is not the only way to treat indigestion. You can manage and relieve some of the uncomfortable symptoms of indigestion by changing your diet and lifestyle. Some of the changes that can be helpful are:
You can prevent frequent bouts of indigestion by avoiding certain foods. Some of the foods and drinks that may aggravate or trigger indigestion include:
Mild and infrequent indigestion is nothing to be worried about since, most times, you can manage it with OTC medication, lifestyle changes, and some home remedies. However, there are rare cases where indigestion can be a symptom of stomach cancer or ulcers, so it is advisable to seek immediate medical attention if:
People with IBS typically experience gastrointestinal symptoms like indigestion. While both conditions are linked, no concrete scientific evidence exists that IBS causes indigestion.
Indigestion is usually nothing to worry about, as it occurs mostly occasionally and rarely causes serious complications. However, it becomes a cause for concern when it occurs more often, as it can affect your quality of life and productivity.
You may want to consider home remedies like peppermint, chamomile, and over-the-counter medications to calm the symptoms of IBS and indigestion. You should see your doctor immediately if these symptoms persist or get intense even after OTC medications.
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