Eid-ul-Fitr is a religious festival for Muslims and no festival is complete without delectable food. After fasting for a month, we binge on some tasty and heavy meals. Sometimes our body doesn’t accept a sudden surge in food consumption and reacts differently, which causes heartburn and acid reflux, or indigestion. We inadvertently happen to overeat during Eid no matter how hard we try to avoid it. Our post-Ramadan eating patterns have a huge impact on our stomach conditions.

What is Indigestion?

Indigestion is a very common health problem that refers to digestive issues such as feeling full or discomfort in the upper abdomen, heartburn and acid reflux, nausea, and release of stomach acid. This condition may occur when a person eats large meals, consumes unhygienic or rotten food, or eats something their body is not used to.

Remedies for Indigestion

There are many home remedies that can work to improve indigestion. According to doctors, many people complain about indigestion during Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha due to the consumption of big meals and oily or salty foods. Therefore, to get back to normal eating patterns post-Ramadan, they recommend taking small portions of food frequently rather than having them all in one go.

1.     Take Proper Diet and Plenty of Water

You must also take high protein diet such as fish, chicken, more fresh fruits, and leafy vegetables. During Eid, junk food becomes inevitable, which is why you must not let go of your healthy eating pattern. Additionally, during the month of Ramadan, our water intake tends to get less due to the long fasting duration; therefore, you must drink plenty of water to avoid dehydrationas well as constipation.  

2.     Say No to Processed Foods

Food-borne illnesses may cause abdominal pain, stomach ache, vomiting, and diarrhea. So, if you wish to avoid indigestion during Eid and enjoy your time without the hassle of over-the-counter medicines, you may want to limit the consumption of processed food. Try to refrain from fat-free meats and make sure food you are eating is safely prepared and organic.

3.     Don’t Binge-eat Sweets

It is fair to celebrate this festival with sweets and desserts, but you must try not to binge-eat them. Cakes, biscuits, and heavy desi desserts have a good chance of causing your stomach to bloat without adding anything to the nutritional value. So, you may want to eat them in small portions and not the whole bowl at the same time.

4.     Green Tea and Ginger

When it comes to indigestion, green tea and ginger are your best friends. Therefore, after you eat in small portions, drink hot green tea and add ginger to it. You may also prepare ginger tea for yourself to avoid stomach issues and resorting to over-the-counter medicines later on. 

5.     Destress Yourself

Stress is the root cause of many health problems; it also contributes significantly to causing indigestion. Anxiety and stress release stomach acids that make you feel nauseous and bloated. Therefore, people are advised to practice anti-stress methods or take therapy to control their stress and anxiety.

6.     Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine

Alcohol or caffeine users may have a higher risk of developing indigestion. Caffeine doesn’t suit many people and becomes the cause of a bloated stomach which eventually leads to indigestion.

7.     Use Painkillers Judiciously

Many times, pain relievers such as aspirin, naproxen sodium ibuprofen also trigger indigestion. Antibiotics used for the treatment of bacterial infections may also trouble the digestive system. That’s why doctors advise agsinst consuming any medicine without a prescription. Speak to your doctor and find alternatives to the painkillers that you know don’t suit you.

8.     Get Rid of Unhealthy Lifestyle

A bad lifestyle may lead to many health problems. You may experience indigestion when you have a poor lifestyle as it impacts your entire digestive system. This is due to eating a lot or eating too fast; therefore, it’s best to chew our food 32 times.

Your late-night munching can be your stomach’s enemy. When you eat late and go to sleep, your food may experience digestion delays, causing abdominal discomfort and vomiting the next morning.

9.      Make Physical Activity Part of Your Routine

Lack of physical activity may cause digestive issues. When you exercise, walk, or jog, your metabolism gets active and helps digest the food you eat fast. Physical activity may not only help you stay energetic, but it also helps digest food quickly and reduce the amount of acid that causes digestive imbalance. Therefore, walking for at least 30 minutes every day to avoid indigestion is highly advisable.

Over-the-Counter Medicines for Indigestion

Indigestion can be treated at home with the remedies listed above. However, if your problem persists or gets worse, don’t waste any more time and visit the doctor immediately. Some doctors may also prescribe over-the-counter medicines or some digestive supplements that are easily available in Pakistan. Some of them include

1. Bismol Suspension
2. Actiflor Sachet
3. Amybact Sachet
4. Citro Soda (Orange and Lemon)
5. Digas Antacid
6. Digas classic

The list of antibiotics that doctors prescribe may include

1. Flagyl
2. Amoxil
3. Tindamax
4. Sumycin
5. Biaxin

The Bottom Line

Indigestion can be the root cause of many health problems. The good news is, you can control it. Therefore, save yourself hospital visits and watch what you eat, its quantity, and incorporate exercise into your routine. However, if your indigestion issue persists, do not rely on home remedies. Visit your doctor as soon as possible, because indigestion may be the cause of other health problems you are unaware of.