Bala J (name changed upon request), a 31-year-old web designer from Jaipur, remembers when he had recurring abdominal pain. He got truly worried when he also started experiencing nausea and vomiting, which left him drained.
Seeking a remedy, he approached Dr Vismita Kapila, consultant, Dr Vismita’s Homeopathy, Mumbai. According to homeopaths, the diagnosis is incomplete if they do not know what is troubling the person mentally as well as physically. And so, Dr Kapila took a complete history of what was troubling Bala.
Bala’s mental history revealed that he could not express his anger whenever something triggered him, and his colleagues would take advantage of this. Bala had a tendency to bottle up his anger and not share his true feelings with anyone. With the details in hand, Dr Kapila understood that all the suppressed anger had led to indigestion in Bala.
Often, indigestion itself is not a condition but rather a symptom of an underlying condition. Dr Kapila explains that when we suppress our emotions, it affects us physically. It can even lead to severe health conditions, she warns.
Therefore, it is as necessary to seek a comprehensive diagnosis. Ultrasound scanning, blood test, liver function tests, gastric enzyme test and endoscopy (invasive medical procedure that uses camera to view internal parts of the body for diagnostic purpose) reports are all required to ensure accurate diagnosis.
Bala’s medical reports later revealed he had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). An ultrasound scan also showed swollen lymph nodes in the abdomen, indicating an infection. While the root cause might have been suppressed anger, the problem had manifested as IBS and infection.
Taking these reports into consideration, Dr Kapila decided on a single management plan for Bala. “In homeopathy, even if the person has two health conditions, a single medicine is chosen while taking all the symptoms into account cumulatively,” explains Dr Kapila.
After just four days of homeopathic management, Bala’s abdominal pain came down to 20 per cent. He no longer had nausea and vomiting. His condition gradually improved thereafter. Now, his pain has reduced up to 70-80 per cent. He also took Dr Kapila’s counselling on how to deal with his emotions better and how not to suppress his anger. He is still on the homeopathic management, and pleased that he is getting better.
Symptoms of indigestion
According to the National Institute of Health, a person having indigestion can experience the following symptoms:
- Pain or discomfort in the abdomen
- Feeling of fullness too soon after eating (which can be uncomfortable)
- Bloating
- Burping
Causes of indigestion
Indigestion can be due to poor lifestyle habits as well as conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and peptic ulcer disease (PUD). It can also happen due to certain medications which must be discussed with a physician to see if that is the cause. Additionally, stress or strong emotions are also known to trigger indigestion.
In certain cases, doctors cannot pinpoint the reason behind indigestion, despite performing multiple tests. They might diagnose the condition as functional dyspepsia. If the physical cause of indigestion is not apparent in the tests (such as an endoscopy), it is called functional dyspepsia.
According to a research published in the Journal of American Family Physician, if there is minimum of one month of upper abdominal discomfort, without any physical issue found during an upper endoscopy, it can be diagnosed as functional dyspepsia.
As per the study, a diet low in FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) can help in relieving the symptoms of functional dyspepsia. As such, a person with functional dyspepsia finds it hard to digest foods high in FODMAP components. They tend to develop discomfort, gas, bloating and pain. For those with this condition, it is best to avoid garlic, onion, apples, dates, cabbage, and cauliflower. If in doubt, consult a dietician.
Is indigestion psychosomatic?
Whilst a dietary adjustment might be needed, it might be beneficial to see if the condition could be a psychosomatic response (interaction between psychological factors and physical symptoms).
There is a study by World Journal of Gastroenterology, which has found that functional dyspepsia could indeed have psychosomatic causes. It indicates a link between people with functional dyspepsia and their vulnerability to it based on their mental well-being. The study states, “It is generally recognised that early life-trauma and chronic severe stress in adulthood can cause long-lasting, potentially irreversible, changes in the stress response system. It is possible therefore that in vulnerable individuals the neurobiological substrates of stress, or maladaptive states thereof, operating on the BGA [Brain Gut Axis], form part of the link between psychosocial factors and FD [Functional Dyspepsia].”
Apart from dietary changes and homeopathic management, those with severe forms of indigestion might benefit from psychological therapy. “Since lifestyle plays such a significant role in the development of indigestion, homeopathic medications aside, it is important to take care of one’s mental well-being,” observes Dr Dheeraj Devgan, consultant, Happy Homeopathy Clinic, Firozpur.
Lately, the notion that gut health and psychological health are linked is strongly resonant. Given that homeopathy strongly vouches for psychosomatic nature of human health, it could go a long way in helping those with indigestion issues.
