Causes:
Imbalance of acidity levels in the stomach is a common cause of indigestion. The optimal pH range in the stomach is 1.5 to 2.5. Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is the agent that controls stomach acidity. If the acidity level in your stomach is too low (pH greater than 2.5), protein digestion becomes inhibited, thus irritating your stomach. Pepsin, the enzyme that helps break down protein, becomes less efficient if optimal pH levels are not present.
To determine whether you lack adequate acidity in your stomach, drink a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. If this soothes your indigestion, you have a lack of stomach acid. If this only aggravates the problem, you have too much acidity in your stomach. Chronic heartburn may be the sign of a hiatal hernia.
The presence of Helicobacter pylori bacteria is attributed to gastric problems including indigestion. H. pylori colonization increases pH in the stomach and inhibits digestive enzymes from breaking down proteins. The presence of H. pylori is also determined by age: about half of people over the age of fifty test positive for the bacteria. Low levels of Vitamins C and E, along with a lack of other antioxidant factors, promote H. pylori growth. Low acidity levels in the stomach promote growth of H. pylori as well.
"Air swallowing" is another cause of indigestion. Smokers, people who eat quickly or while talking, and people who chew with their mouths open fall into this category. The consumption of carbonated beverages with a meal also slots you as a candidate. Air swallowing can make you feel full and bloated, as well as causing abdominal pain.
Some foods are more likely to cause indigestion than others. These include: greasy, fried or spicy foods, dairy products, alcohol, vinegar, caffeine, and refined foods. It is important to be tested for food allergies and intolerances, which are both causes of indigestion. Simply put, people's bodies react differently to certain foods. Listen to your body. You know best what foods you can or cannot tolerate.
Existing conditions such as peptic ulcers, Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD), and disorders of the pancreas, liver, and gallbladder are likely to cause indigestion. Stress, anxiety, and other emotional concerns can disturb the function of intestinal and stomach muscles, leading to what is often called a "nervous stomach".
