There is much confusion over indigestion and heartburn. however, avoiding this confusion will help to successfully treat the condition.

Indigestion refers to an upset stomach with gastric complaints such as belching, nausea, discomfort or stomach pain that spreads across the chest, giving a feeling of food trapped in the stomach and, occasionally, vomiting. This condition is generally caused by too little stomach acid (hypochlorhydria).

Heartburn is a burning sensation in the stomach caused by too much stomach acid (hyperchlorhydria), inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis), stomach infection due to Helicobacter pylori, or an ulcer in the stomach (peptic ulcer).

As we can see, the two conditions are opposites. one with too much stomach acid and one with too little. Treatment can be complicated as there is a tendency to confuse the two.

Indigestion is helped by taking a stomach acid supplement, which if taken for heartburn could make the condition worse. Heartburn is usually relieved by taking antacids or alkalizers, but this approach to indigestion will reduce the already inadequate amount of stomach acid.

Dr Jonathan Wright, an internationally acknowledged expert on this subject, says that “encouraged by the legal drug industry, medical students are not taught that hypochlorhydria (inadequate stomach acid production) is treatable only with unpatentable, natural replacement therapies. instead their education concentrates on hyperchlorhydria (excess stomach acid production) and its treatments with patentable acid blocker drugs and highly profitable over the counter antacids.”

It seems there has been a great deal of research carried out on the acid-alkali balance over the past 150 years. it was believed acidosis was so important that it was the primary cause of all illness and disease. The great Louis Pasteur was included in this debate, along with a contemporary of his, Claude Bernard.

This debate was taking place in the mid-1800s. Dr Bernard had a theory that the “internal environment”, as he called it, was the key to any disease of the body. Therefore if we were okay internally then we were less likely to catch anything.

Bernard’s work related more to the state of the body; one important factor was the alkalinity rather than the immune system. He believed the avoidance of toxins, good nutrition and a state of alkalinity was the answer. by contrast, Pasteur believed disease was caused by invading microbes and felt the immune system was the important factor which fought off all disease.

If there is insufficient or no stomach acid, the symptoms are caused in the following way:

The stomach is connected to the small intestine by the pylorus, which is controlled by a valve. This is programmed to open only when the stomach contents are well and truly acidic. The right level of acidity is necessary for it to be successfully neutralised by bile and pancreatic juice, which have a fixed alkalinity. So the valve stays shut till the right level of acidity is reached.

Drinking water, fruit juice or alcohol reduces the degree of acidity in the stomach. Therefore, the food may become trapped in the stomach for hours – sometimes even until the next day (hence the symptoms often occurring the following day after a rather hefty meal).

Consuming more food does not help. as the stomach expands, only burping can relieve the symptoms. If you are drunk or lying down, serious symptoms can cause choking.

In addition, expansion of the stomach causes pressure on the cardiovascular system, provoking palpitations and sweats. If it continues the stomach may send a message, in the form of nausea, to say that if all the food doesn’t move into the gut, it will have to go back out – and we know what that means!

To avoid serious indigestion, it is advisable to drink moderately when eating, eat food in small portions and chew well so that the stomach has less work to do. Wheat, rye, oats and barley require a lot of acid to prepare them for digestion in the small intestine, so consider that when looking at your diet.

Also, stomach acid secretion tends to decline with age. There are natural ways to improve your stomach acid production, gentian being one of them. however it is also said that gentian increases the appetite.

Homeopathic remedies such as carominthe may be taken alongside stomach acid supplements to stimulate stomach acid secretion.

In some cases, indigestion can be a sign of a more serious underlying health problem, such as stomach cancer.

Seek immediate medical attention if you have recurring indigestion and you are 55 years old or over; have lost a lot of weight without meaning to; find it increasingly difficult to swallow; persistently vomit; have iron-deficiency anaemia; have a lump in your stomach; or have gastrointestinal bleeding (which is bleeding in your stomach and intestines – you may see blood in your vomit or stools and you may feel tired, breathless and dizzy).

After a visit to the emergency vets i was told my dog had a temperature and a stomach infection due to vomitting, panting, and lethargic symptoms, i have to take her back in a day if she hasn't perked up… She's been given antibiotics and hasn't moved very much all day and constantly sleeps… is this normal for a dog with this diagnosis and would the medications make her sleepy?

This can and does kill dogs. the best advise I can give you is leave food down but don't panic if she doesn't eat it. the main thing is to give her water every 15 minutes. Every 5 minutes or so pinch and pull up the skin at the back of her neck (it will not hurt her) once pulled up see how long it takes to go down. If it goes down straight away shes ok. however if it goes down slowly get her straight to the vets DO NOT WAIT TILL MORNING PLEASE because it means she is dehydrated and the slower it goes down the worse it is. I lost a 6 week old puppy 3 weeks ago with the same thing. Its not nice. please post another one to say how she goes on THANKS AND GOOD LUCK x

Oh dear, that must be so worrying for you. I can't help you but, but I really feel for you. I love my dog (and the one that has passed), but they are your babies and when you see them in pain and can't ask them what is wrong you feel so helpless. I really hope that she gets better. good luck xx

hi yes, my dog had the same last week, he was given paste to dry him up, antibitoics, injection for pain then pain releif tablets. my dog responded on day 3, you need to make sure she doesnt get dehyrated, feed on small amounts of boiled chicken and rice. he was very quit, sleepy, no energy, painful stomach, not a happy little pomeranian at all.
I think the gerneral feeling poorly makes your dog more sleeply just the same for us, we only want to lay down and sleep. If she doesnt pick up in 5 days take her back.
Do you no what caused it? because she could be still eating it etc. a lot of plants in your garden can cause this so go careful. I no that my baby got it from eating a stuffed soft bone type chew i brought from pets at home, so thats a no no from now on.
Hope she feels better soon, lots of water and TLC.

The biggest problem is dehydration try and get her to drink .If she continues to be sleepy and unresponsive take her back to the vets

Get the dog to the vet – if you can't right away – go to the grocery store to the baby food department and pick up some Pedialyte – it is electrolites. You may need to fill a syringe and squirt some directly in the side of your dogs mouth if she won't drink it directly. You have to force fluids and now.

LIft up her lips and look at her gums – are they pale? If so get some Molasses or dark Corn Syrup and dab some on her tongue.

NONE OF THIS IS SUBSTITUTE FOR VET CARE BUT MIGHT HELP SHORT TERM.

Make sure she goes back – even if she seems a little better. Gastroenteritis, by experience, is often 'mild' but can be far more serious, depending on the age and condition of the dog. A little chicken can help encourage a dog to eat, as can 'chicken flavoured water to encourage drinking. on one occasion, the vet gave my dog medication to encourage sleepiness, to just break the cycle of sickness. If she has been drinking and is in no pain, leave sleeping dogs lie, until the next appointment… good luck.

Some of the meds given to settle her stomach can make her sleepy. Gastroenteris can be very severe and life threatening if it stops them from eating and being able to absorb nutrition. If you are concerned call your vet.