Remedies for poor digestion, such as sodium bicarbonate, aluminum hydroxide or artichoke, help alleviate symptoms of poor digestion, such as excessive gas or belching, heartburn, a feeling of 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 foods rich in fiber with foods rich in fat, 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.
Remedies for poor digestion can be purchased at pharmacies or drugstores and are generally sold without a prescription. However, it is important to consult a general practitioner or endocrinologist to assess the cause of poor digestion and recommend the best individual remedy, as well as the most appropriate form of use.
Pharmacy remedies
Remedies for poor 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. Baking soda
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 spoons (of coffee) per day, and can be used for a maximum of 2 weeks. See how to take sodium bicarbonate correctly.
2. Sodium carbonate
Remedies with calcium carbonate are generally associated with sodium bicarbonate and citric acid, as they act by neutralizing stomach acidity, allowing quick relief from poor digestion such as a feeling of heaviness in the stomach, heartburn or a 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. Therefore, if symptoms persist, it is recommended to consult a doctor who can advise the most appropriate treatment.
3. Aluminum hydroxide
Aluminum hydroxide has a rapid antacid action, and is usually associated with magnesium hydroxide and calcium carbonate or simethicone, as together they help to alleviate the symptoms of poor digestion such as a feeling of a full stomach, heartburn, burning or excess gas or belching.
These medicines 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 to quickly reduce stomach acidity, helping to alleviate the symptoms of poor digestion, such as heartburn or stomach burning, also having a laxative effect, improving intestinal transit, relieving constipation that can occur in indigestion.
This medicine can be found under the trade name Milk of Magnesia and should not be used by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women or people who have kidney disease. Learn how to use milk of magnesia.
5. Bismuth salicylate
Bismuth salicylate is an antacid and antidiarrheal remedy, which helps to normalize stomach acid and fluids, being indicated to alleviate poor digestion, especially when it occurs due to gastritis or ulcers related to yeast infection. H. pylori.
This medicine can be found under the trade name Peptozil and must be used under medical advice, along with other medicines for the treatment of H. pylori. See how the treatment is carried out H. pylori.
6. Artichoke Pills
Artichoke is a remedy that helps 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 medicine can be found in the form of tablets, under the trade name Alcachofra 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 allergy to artichokes.
7. Cascara Sagrada Tablets
Cascara santo is generally associated with rhubarb and boldo, as they act to stimulate the production and elimination of bile, helping to alleviate 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 medicine can be found in the form of tablets with 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 diseases, irritable bowel syndrome or intestinal obstruction.
Home remedy options
Some home remedies, such as mint tea, boldo tea or anise tea, can be used to alleviate poor digestion, as they reduce the production of stomach gases, improve the feeling of a full stomach or detoxify the body, providing relief for poor digestion.
These teas can be consumed warm or cold but should not be sweetened with honey or sugar as these can worsen indigestion. See how to prepare home remedies for poor digestion.
Poor digestion during pregnancy
Remedies for poor digestion, available over the counter in pharmacies, should not be used during pregnancy, without the knowledge and advice of the obstetrician.
In this way, some measures can be taken to alleviate 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 consuming products rich in fat, 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 food well and eat without rushing;
- Eat in small quantities and at intervals of less than 2 to 3 hours;
- Avoid the consumption of alcoholic beverages;
- Place a 10 cm wedge at the head of the bed to avoid 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, you should inform your obstetrician. See other ways to alleviate poor digestion during pregnancy.
