Unknown disease affecting half of Spain’s population

It has happened to all of us: after eating, we start to notice pain in the “pit of the stomach”, a very common ailment that usually occurs after eating. In many cases it is caused by heartburn, which is accompanied by pain,cause burning, heating or ignition, Although there is no obvious reason to be alarmed by this.

When stomach pain is chronic, everything makes a difference, This is called indigestion. This disease affects half of the population, but few people know about it.

When we talk about indigestion, we are talking about a functional digestive disorder that causes different discomforts and symptoms in the upper abdomen (mainly the central area where the stomach is located). In the most severe cases, it may be accompanied by nausea, abdominal swelling, and even vomiting. Pain that begins after eating is associated with a prolonged and heavy feeling of digestion.

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In this sense, consideration must be given to the Spanish Society of Digestive Pathology (SEPD) to ensure that these symptoms are not related to any organic changes that may result. Detection is done through ultrasound or endoscopy.

Functional dyspepsia occurs when changes occur in the nervous system of the digestive tract that affect the stomach.

Indigestion cases in Spain

In Spain, dyspepsia (commonly known as dyspepsia) is a common cause of consultation in primary care and professional services. In Spain’s latest disease study, some 578,000 cases of dyspepsia, or indigestion, were recorded across the country.

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The prevalence of dyspeptic symptoms in the general Spanish population is estimated to be between 24% and 28%. Additionally, a significant number of people, despite experiencing symptoms, choose not to see a doctor and decide to self-medicate.Approximately 5% of people experience indigestion symptoms each year They consulted a doctor and 1% were referred for endoscopy.

These data reflect the relevance of dyspepsia as a common health problem in Spain, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and appropriately managing this condition.

Indigestion Symptoms and Diagnosis

Symptoms of functional dyspepsia can be confused with those of other conditions such as gastritis or ulcers, which can also cause abdominal pain, vomiting and nausea, as well as intestinal disorders such as celiac disease.For this purpose, it is necessary to use different Clinical tests can rule out the presence of other pathologies, Because there is no specific test to diagnose indigestion.

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In this way, the diagnosis is a clinical one, since it is based on the presence of typical symptoms and the presence of other digestive system disorders. Digestive endoscopy is usually performed using an endoscope, a flexible instrument with a lens and camera on the end that is inserted through the mouth to see the lining of the upper part of the digestive system.

Indigestion treatment

Faced with this health problem, experts recommend visiting your family doctor if abdominal pain persists for more than a month, because in this case it will start to be considered a chronic problem.However, there is a real need to know more about indigestion Diagnosis and treatment begin from the first consultation.

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In this sense, the first recommendations to consider are a series of changes that must be made in diet and lifestyle, although these are general recommendations since they must vary from person to person. Find the best solution in every situation:

• You should try to avoid large meals and follow a diet rich in fat and fiber.
• Food should not be eliminated regularly as this may lead to the presence of different nutritional deficiencies. You also should not choose a diet based on a group of foods considered healthy, as nutritional deficiencies may occur.
• It is recommended to drink small amounts of water throughout the day and avoid drinking too much fluid before and after meals.
• It’s better to steam, boil or grill food than other types of cooking.
• Although it doesn’t get the attention it deserves, eating with good posture, calmly and without distractions, and don’t forget to chew your food properly.
• Engage in moderate physical activity and maintain a varied and balanced diet, giving priority to the Mediterranean diet, which is considered the healthiest.
• Adequate sleep hygiene must be maintained, including having a regular sleep schedule and not using your phone or computer within two hours of bedtime.
• Alcohol consumption and other toxic and health-damaging habits such as smoking should be avoided. Both are the two main reasons for this.

In addition to these general recommendations, if you suffer from indigestion problems, you may end up with Medication may be needed, such as:

• Prokinetic, designed to stimulate gastric motility.
• Antacids and proton pump inhibitors, designed to stimulate gastric motility.
• Neuromodulator, used to treat discomfort in the abdominal area.

Depending on each specific case, only one of these drugs or a combination of them may be included. despite this, It is important to avoid self-medication, Because in these cases it may be masking a more serious problem or creating a chronic condition that could be treated in a more appropriate way.