Digestion remedies such as baking soda, aluminum hydroxide, or artichoke help relieve symptoms of poor digestion, such as excess gas or belching, heartburn, a full stomach, or nausea, as they quickly reduce acidity. stomach or stimulate the production of bile, speeding up digestion.
Poor digestion can occur after overeating and mixing high-fiber foods with high-fat foods, for example, but it can also occur due to more serious health problems such as gastritis, ulcers or fatty liver. Check out other causes of poor digestion.
Medicines for indigestion can be purchased at pharmacies or drugstores and are usually sold without a prescription. However, it is important to consult a general practitioner or endocrinologist to assess the cause of poor digestion and indicate the best remedy individually, as well as the most appropriate form of use.
pharmacy remedies
Remedies for bad digestion that can be purchased at the pharmacy can be based on natural products or artificial substances that help reduce heartburn and improve digestion, such as:
1. Sodium bicarbonate
Sodium bicarbonate when diluted in water has an alkalizing effect on the digestive tract, quickly neutralizing stomach acid and temporarily relieving the discomfort of poor digestion such as heartburn or a burning sensation in the stomach.
The use of sodium bicarbonate should not exceed 3 teaspoons per day, and can be used for a maximum of 2 weeks.
2. Sodium carbonate
Calcium carbonate remedies are usually associated with sodium bicarbonate and citric acid, as they work by neutralizing stomach acidity, allowing quick relief from poor digestion such as a feeling of heaviness in the stomach, heartburn or burning sensation.
These remedies can be found under the trade names Sonrisal or Eno Fruit Salt and should not be used for more than 14 days in a row as they can cause complications such as alkalosis, which is a condition that requires hospital medical attention. Thus, if symptoms persist, it is recommended to consult a doctor who can guide the most appropriate treatment.
3. Aluminum hydroxide
Aluminum hydroxide has fast antacid action, and is usually associated with magnesium hydroxide and calcium carbonate or simethicone, as together they help relieve symptoms of poor digestion such as a feeling of full stomach, heartburn, burning or excess gas or burping.
These drugs can be found under the trade names Estomazil or Mylanta Plus, for example, and should not be used by children or pregnant women.
4. Magnesium hydroxide
Magnesium hydroxide is an antacid that acts by quickly reducing stomach acidity, helping to relieve symptoms of poor digestion, such as heartburn or burning stomach, also having a laxative effect, improving intestinal transit, relieving constipation that can occur in the stomach. indigestion.
This remedy can be found under the trade name Milk of Magnesia and should not be used by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or people with kidney disease. Learn how to use milk of magnesia.
5. Bismuth Salicylate
Bismuth salicylate is an antacid and antidiarrheal remedy that helps to normalize stomach acid and fluids and is indicated to relieve poor digestion, especially when it happens due to gastritis or ulcer related to infection with the stomach. H. pylori.
This medicine can be found under the trade name Peptozil and should be used with medical indication, along with other medicines for the treatment of H. pylori. See how the treatment is done H. pylori.
6. Artichoke Pills
Artichoke is a remedy that helps to facilitate digestion and relieve abdominal discomfort, excess gas and belching, caused by poor digestion, especially in cases of deficiency in the production and elimination of bile, which is an enzyme that participates in digestion, especially of fats.
This remedy can be found in the form of tablets, under the trade name Artichoke Multilab, and should not be used by children under 12 years of age, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or by people who have gallstones or an artichoke allergy.
7. Cascara Sagrada Pills
Cascara sagrada is usually associated with rhubarb and boldo, as they act by stimulating the production and elimination of bile, helping to relieve the symptoms of poor digestion. In addition, this remedy also has a mild laxative effect, which allows you to increase bowel movements and relieve constipation related to poor digestion.
This remedy can be found in tablet form under the trade name Eparema and should not be used by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or by people who have gastrointestinal problems such as ulcers, acute inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome. or intestinal obstruction.
home remedies options
Some home remedies, such as peppermint tea, boldo tea or fennel tea can be used to relieve poor digestion, as they reduce the production of stomach gas, improve the feeling of a full stomach or detoxify the body, providing relief from bad digestion.
These teas can be consumed warm or cold but should not be sweetened with honey or sugar as these can aggravate indigestion. See how to prepare home remedies for indigestion.
Poor digestion in pregnancy
Medicines for indigestion, available over-the-counter in pharmacies, should not be used during pregnancy, without the obstetrician’s knowledge and indication.
In this way, some measures can be taken to relieve poor digestion during pregnancy, such as:
- Drink ginger tea to relieve symptoms;
- Take small sips of cold water with a few drops of lemon;
- Avoid consumption of high-fat products such as pizza, lasagna, bacon, sausage and red meat;
- Avoid drinking liquids with meals, as they make the stomach fuller and slow down digestion;
- Chew your food well and eat slowly;
- Eat in small amounts and at shorter intervals of 2 to 3 hours;
- Avoid the consumption of alcoholic beverages;
- Place a 10 cm wedge at the head of the bed to prevent poor digestion at night.
You should also avoid wearing tight clothes that compress the stomach, and lying down right after meals, as this slows down digestion and increases the risk of reflux. When this discomfort is frequent, the obstetrician should be informed. See other ways to relieve poor digestion in pregnancy.
