Belly Pain From Indigestion: What To Do To Relieve It?
Empacho is the colloquial term that is given to the set of various discomforts derived from a copious intake, that is, to dyspepsia. This usually happens especially during times of celebration, such as Christmas, for example.
Committing excesses is always harmful to the body. Therefore, it is important to prevent them. However, when no type of preventive measure has been carried out (due to forgetfulness or other factors), the consequences appear and it is necessary to give them a treatment.
Empacho or dyspepsia
Dyspepsia is mainly characterized by a feeling of fullness and pain (at the level of the pit of the stomach) and inflammation in the abdominal area. It can often be accompanied by gas, heartburn, headache, dizziness, diarrhea or constipation, vomiting, among other symptoms.
Among the most common causes are:
- Copious meals.
- Excessive coffee consumption.
- Ingestion of food in poor condition or prepared without hygiene.
- Taking certain medications (antibiotics or pain relievers).
- Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages or irritating foods (spicy or greasy).
In addition to this, negative emotional states and other bad habits can influence the appearance of dyspepsia. For example, skipping meals, eating quickly, not chewing food well, drinking too much liquid between bites, not resting after meals, and so on.
Dyspepsia is usually a temporary annoyance. However, when it occurs regularly, it is necessary to see your doctor, as it can be a symptom of a larger problem, such as biliary colic.
How to treat empacho?
Empacho can be treated with an herbal infusion of spearmint, chamomile, peppermint, pennyroyal, anise seeds, or a combination of these. Some people recommend drinking a glass of warm water with lemon juice or a little soda water about three times a day. You can also go for over-the-counter antacids or acid blockers and antispasmodics.
Perform gentle massages with circular movements to facilitate the expulsion of accumulated gases and, thus, little by little, relieve inflammation.
Preventing empacho is the best
- Get enough sleep and manage stress.
- Do not fall asleep or lie completely horizontal immediately after eating; Try to wait at least 20-30 minutes before doing this.
- Do not eat large amounts of food, try to chew food slowly and avoid drinking plenty of fluids between bites. It is preferable that you take small sips.
- To avoid drinking too much fluids while eating, drink a glass of water about 15 minutes before eating.
- Don’t do activities that make you swallow air: smoking, talking while eating, chewing gum, or eating too fast.
- Avoid fatty foods, excessively seasoned, salty, spicy, as well as alcoholic beverages, sodas and caffeine.
- Consume a lot of fiber, as this helps in the process of digestion of food and produces satiety. They are found in whole wheat bread, legumes, fruits and vegetables.
In short, the goal is to mitigate the severe stomach pain caused by satiety that occurs in the stomach. In addition, properly reincorporate intestinal function so that you can enjoy eating food without having unwanted effects. Don’t forget these tips!
