Difficult digestion in medical terms is called dyspepsia, it causes an alteration of the gastric or intestinal digestive function and can be of an ornamental or functional nature. Let's find out better.

Symptoms of difficult digestion

It is an alteration of gastric or intestinal digestive function, characterized by drowsiness, heaviness in the stomach, headache after meals. Sometimes there is pain or chronic discomfort in the upper abdominal part or back sternum, aerophagia, flatulence, heartburn (heartburn, stomach acid), borborigmi, nausea, vomiting.

Causes

It may be organic (such as acute and chronic gastritis, which is an inflammation of the gastric mucosa) or functional (such as gastric ulcer, which is an erosion of the gastric mucosa or in severe cases a perforation of the stomach wall ).

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of poor digestion requires a prior investigation of factors such as: use of medicines (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs such as aspirin, iron, theophylline etc.), helicobacter pylori, gastric ulcer (stomach), gastritis (inflammation of the internal mucosa of the stomach), poor diet (diet), obesity, disease from gastroesophageal reflux

NATURAL CARE AGAINST DIFFICULT DIGESTION

Feeding in case of difficult digestion

Difficult digestion can involve the stomach or pancreas.

When digestion is particularly laborious with protein-rich foods such as meat and its derivatives, it means that the stomach cannot produce enough digestive juices. Useful in this case is a supplementation of B vitamins to reactivate its production, something that is difficult to achieve only with the introduction of foods that are rich in it such as whole grains, legumes, eggs, vegetables, nuts and hazelnuts.

If on the other hand it is the entire digestion that is difficult and manifests itself with heaviness in the stomach and drowsiness after a meal, it is more likely due to a poor production of digestive enzymes by the pancreas. It is necessary for the first month to support the organ function with a digestive enzyme supplement based on fermented rice starch, fermented maltodextrin or papaya .

In both cases it is possible to help digestion by observing some precautions:

• Avoid boiled or over-prolonged and watery cooking methods (eg minestrone);
• Start the meal with a raw vegetable: fennel, carrot, celery, cucumber;
• Accompany the meal with an orange juice when it is in season;
• Season the meat or fish with fresh lemon juice or chopped extra virgin olive oil, salt, rosemary, parsley, garlic and vinegar (to evaporate after cooking)
• Use cooking methods by turning over the food in a pan with extra virgin olive oil, garlic or onion.

A food intolerance test is useful to understand if the bad digestion is caused by one or more foods.

You can learn more about proper nutrition for poor digestion

Herbal remedies

Among the medicinal plants that help in case of difficult digestion:

• Licorice: ( Glycyrrhiza Glabra ) the root has digestive, anti-inflammatory and protective properties for the mucous membranes;
• Anise: ( Pimpinella anisum ) its seeds, such as those of Fennel ( Foeniculum vulgare ), cumin ( Cuminum cyminum ) and coriander ( Coriandrum sativum ), are traditionally used to promote digestive functions, especially in people who make large meals and rich in fat. The carminative action depends both on the ability to inhibit the fermentative processes in the large intestine; both from their antispastic action on the smooth muscle of the colon. In fact during the intestinal fermentation, in particular that of the sugars, high quantities of gas are produced, which make the intestine swell and stimulate the contractions of its smooth muscles, causing a sense of swelling, flatulence and abdominal pain;
• Gentiana: ( Gentiana Lutea ) the root is used in different formulations to promote digestion, as it increases the motility and gastric secretion, acting as a stimulating reflex on the taste buds, and not on the cells of the stomach mucosa. For this reason the digestive action of the plant is not irritating. Furthermore, gentian is used in the treatment of anorexia, gastric atony, long and laborious digestions due to insufficient gastric secretion.
• Chervil: ( Anthriscus cerefolium ) has tomachic properties as it stimulates gastric secretion, favoring digestion.

Bach flowers for difficult digestion

Bad digestion can be the psychosomatic consequence of situations that have not been "digested" ; realities that we reject, or that we find unjust, and therefore send us into anger. The stomach absorbs all the impressions that come from the outside, that is, it welcomes what must be "digested".

The person who has digestive disorders must learn to become aware of their feelings, to consciously process their impressions and feelings, in a balanced way. Very useful for the flower-therapy treatment of this disorder will be:

• Holly : it is indicated to those who, considering themselves little, believe they have the world against, and therefore see only negativity and opposition on the whole. Touchy and fussy, susceptible, overbearing, these individuals experience anger, resentment, jealousy and envy towards others. This flower eliminates or attenuates negative feelings towards others. It develops love for oneself, that is self-esteem, silencing that acidic voice that drives us to continually measure ourselves against others and to suspect them.
• Chicory : suitable for those who feel hurt by a sense of betrayal, ingratitude, little gratitude, and the feeling of never being loved or truly desired. Those who fall into this typology often burst into tears and feel anger whenever the other "disappoints" his ambitious expectations. Wrangler if hindered, he is full of suspicion, anger, envy, judgments and prejudices. The remedy teaches us to give without asking anything in return, so that love, given and taken, can really flow freely and spontaneously.
• Willow : indicated for those who live with prejudice, thinking about how it would have been if that unpleasant, "not digested" event had happened. He does not resign himself, mulls the wrongs suffered, renews pains, bitternesses, recriminations and hopeless rancor. He does not admit his mistakes, he blames all others for refusing to assume his responsibilities, thinking he is the target of an adverse destiny. The remedy promotes the control of suffering, the recovery of a globally positive vision of existence and gives the ability to create one's own destiny.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Difficult digestion even in Traditional Chinese Medicine is linked to internal organs, which have an indissoluble link with the emotional sphere. The stomach controls the maceration and maturation of food, regulates the transport and the diffusion of the energy of the food Jing. In traditional Chinese medicine in the stomach we find the origin of the fluids and it is this organ that controls the descent of the Qi (whereas instead the Qi of the Spleen for example must come down, not go up, because the functions are correctly distributed).

Stomach and Spleen, however, in MTC are inextricably linked: the toning through acupuncture of both organs is fundamental in all convalescences.

Aromatherapy for difficult digestion

Aromatic plants are used in phytotherapy to promote digestive processes, thanks to the essential oils they contain. Aromatherapy uses the pure essences directly, applying 1-2 drops on the abdomen diluted in a tablespoon of sweet almond oil, or, for internal use, 2 drops in a teaspoon of honey taken after meals.

• Laurel essential oil : promotes digestion and calms stomach pains, because it has a relaxing effect on the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal system. It is effectively used in the presence of spasms, irritable bowel and to eliminate the gases that cause meteorism and flatulence.
• Mint essential oil : it is considered one of the best digestives present in aromatherapy, because it has a stomachic, carminative, cholagogue and antispasmodic action. It is useful in case of meteorism, flatulence, indigestion, spasms, dyspepsias and almost all the disorders related to the digestive system.
• Fennel essential oil : recommended for its digestive, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, carminative properties, it is used effectively in the presence of meteorism, flatulence, aerophagia and poor digestion;
• Essential oil of hyssop : it intervenes with efficacy on digestion, especially if slow, and on the problem of aerophagia, since it eliminates the gases that form in the intestine, and is therefore useful in intestinal catarrhs ​​and dyspepsia.
• Cumin essential oil: it is digestive, stimulates gastro-hepatic activity, promotes digestion and calms nausea.

Homeopathy

In the case of digestion associated with subsequent drowsiness and heaviness, the homeopath may decide to proceed with the administration of Nux Vomica 9 CH , 5 granules three times a day. Lycopodium 9 CH is also useful, especially if meteorism and a sense of swelling are combined with drowsiness and heaviness.

The Antimonium Crudum 9 CH should instead be taken in case of nausea and reflux due to the so-called "binge eating", when the food intake was excessive.

Exercises in case of difficult digestion

The recommended motor therapy directly involves the teeth (which is closely related to the posture) and is based on a single, important imperative: chewing, chewing and then chewing again.

Also good are all the techniques that help release abdominal and thoracic levels, such as yoga.

Among the best asanas the position of Matsya ( Matsyendrasana ), or "position of the fish", facilitates digestion, is a real massage to the abdominal organs and stimulating the production of bile.

The position of Vajra ( Vajrasana ), "the lightning", is simple to perform and improves digestion by acting on the meridians linked to the digestive system. Self-massage is also very useful . From the lying position, place the palm of the hand on the abdomen .

Create a clockwise circle on your stomach. Begin with a slight pressure to then accentuate progressively.

Then describe ever larger circles with the palm covering the entire abdomen. The movement must be decided and always clockwise to follow the circuit of the large intestine. Finish by gently kneading the abdomen with the thumb and forefinger, pinching the skin first with the fingers of one hand then with the fingers of the other.

Listen to your breathing throughout the practice of self-massage, adjust the pressure with exhalation and try to accomplish the whole with maximum relaxation with the least conscious effort.

With the collaboration of Veronica Pacella for nutrition, Alessandra Romeo for phytotherapy, flower therapy, aromatherapy