Indigestion is a very common phenomenon—it affects thousands of people throughout the country.  Because it is so common, it does not come as much of a surprise that there is not one sole cause of indigestion.  In fact, there is a wide range of things that could be attributed with causing indigestion.  Knowing the causes of indigestion is an important part of overcoming it—by understanding the different causes, you can avoid the onset of the painful occurrence.

The Common Causes Of Indigestion

Indigestion has many root causes, and some of them are easier to address than others.  A few common causes of indigestion are: eating too fast, overeating, drinking too much alcohol, eating greasy or fatty foods, eating spicy foods, smoking tobacco, emotional trauma, and drugs such as aspirin or antibiotics.  Simply changing day-to-day habits or behaviors can stop indigestion that stems from these causes.

Other causes of indigestion are more serious and might require medical attention.  In fact, indigestion sometimes derives from other medical conditions.  More serious causes of indigestion include gastric ulcer, cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder), chronic or acute pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), duodenal ulcer, and acute or chronic gastritis (inflammation of the stomach).

What’s The Problem?

The large number of possible indigestion causes can be intimidating to some people.  After all, if there are so many possible causes, then how is one to know or find out what is causing their own indigestion?  It may be easier than you think.

The first step is to examine your own behaviors—alcohol and caffeine consumption, amount and speed of food consumption, or smoking habits.  Then, think about changes that may have recently occurred in your life.  Have you been going through an emotionally stressful time?  Did you recently begin taking medication?

If you have completed a self-assessment and still have no answers, then you should consult your doctor for help in determining the causes of your indigestion.  Although he or she may initially ask you the same questions that you previously considered, he will then be able to diagnose the underlying cause of your indigestion.  The doctor will also be able to provide relief for your symptoms by prescribing medication.

Life Lessons—Living Healthfully

The causes of indigestion often stem from destructive self-behaviors.  Determining the cause of your own indigestion can be an eye-opening experience, and it could cause you to question your own behavior and choices in the future.

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