Digestive disorders are health problems that result commonly due to overeating or eating the wrong kinds of food. These are nausea and or vomiting, heartburn, abdominal bloating, hiccoughs, and constipation. One may develop either one or more of these disorders. At times, some persons can develop diarrhoea after a binge of overeating.

Digestion can be impaired by eating too much fried or spicy food, particularly when one is not habituated to it. Eating a large quantity, more than one’s usual intake, or eating very fast also results in digestive disorders. Vomiting can occur due to excess alcohol. Some persons are not able to tolerate large quantities of tea and coffee and can develop dyspepsia due to it.

Vomiting also occurs after overeating, eating fried food, or food containing pepper to which one is not accustomed. The quantity of food which cannot be accommodated by the stomach is usually thrown out. Nausea, uncomfortable bloating sensation in the abdomen, and burning sensation in the chest and or abdomen may precede actual vomiting.

There may be associated complaints of a sour taste in the mouth. Chronic constipation, where one does not clear their bowels regularly, also leads to a sense of bloating and fullness in the abdomen along with heartburn. It can cause vomiting as well.

Taking small, frequent quantities of food is always recommended to prevent digestive disorders. A small quantity of food taken is always better tolerated and digested as compared to a big heavy meal. Acid is present in small quantities, in the inner lining of the stomach. This is also neutralised by food taken. When one does not eat for long, this acid tends to build up causing burning pain. Taking a heavy meal after long hours loads the stomach, adding to the discomfort.

Hence, it is advisable to take small meals more frequently, as compared to taking food one time in heavy quantity. If one is not used to eating very hot or spicy food, one should avoid it.

Alcohol is harmful to the overall health of an individual and, therefore, is best avoided. One should also avoid taking excess tea or coffee. All these can cause burning pain in the chest and or abdomen with nausea and vomiting.

Many home remedies have been proven useful by people's experiences. Drinking hot water with half a teaspoon of lemon juice or a pinch of baking soda can help reduce uncomfortable bloating of the abdomen.

Taking cold milk in small quantities is suitable to reduce nausea and heartburn. Drinking hot water before sleeping or as the first thing in the morning clears the bowels and cures constipation. They are very beneficial as first aid remedies when somebody has a digestive disorder. In mild problems, it can serve as a cure also by reducing the symptoms and preventing its exacerbation. Numerous spices like mint, cumin, anise, etc., aid in digestion. Drinking 8-10 glasses of water per day is useful for digestion.

Nausea and vomiting along with heartburn can be treated symptomatically with medicines that reduce the increased acid production of the abdomen. Anti-emetic drugs like metoclopramide or domperidone are useful to stop vomiting. A high-fibre diet with more green vegetables and fresh fruits helps in preventing and curing constipation.

Mild laxatives can be used occasionally to treat constipation. However, one should be careful not to take laxatives continuously for long. Using laxatives continuously for a long time makes the bowels dependent on it. Then the dose being used stops being effective and higher doses have to be taken to clear the bowels. The large intestine tends to become sluggish and dilated.

After recovery from a bout of digestive disorder, one should take a light meal to give rest to the digestive system and allow it to recuperate very well.

Dr Rachna Pande is a specialist in internal medicine.