Indigestion
rick_chasey
Posts: 75,661
So I have a propensity to suffer from indigestion, inherited from my father.
However, I have noticed I am more prone to it day-to-day when I am riding hard during the week (not specifically during the ride, during the day generally).
I don't tend to change my diet much if I'm cycling or not.
There are also instances that are increasingly common where the limiting factor for riding hard isn't the pain in my legs but in my stomach - especially when riding on the drops.
Anyone have any broad advice or suggestions for the cause?
I've tried eliminating various food to experiment with no conclusive results.
I tend to get it more often when riding on an empty stomach in the evening ride home as opposed to the morning.
However, I have noticed I am more prone to it day-to-day when I am riding hard during the week (not specifically during the ride, during the day generally).
I don't tend to change my diet much if I'm cycling or not.
There are also instances that are increasingly common where the limiting factor for riding hard isn't the pain in my legs but in my stomach - especially when riding on the drops.
Anyone have any broad advice or suggestions for the cause?
I've tried eliminating various food to experiment with no conclusive results.
I tend to get it more often when riding on an empty stomach in the evening ride home as opposed to the morning.
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Eat slower, take time to chew your food, relax when you are eating, don't work while eating and don't scrunch forward.
All simple things but they work, you could also try peppermint tea.Now where's that "Get Out of Crash Free Card"0 -
Are we talking about stomach pain, or is it acid reflux - stomach contents making it back up into your oesophagus and burning?
If it's made worse by posture, eg you cite riding in the drops, it suggests the latter and a possible physical cause.
I've suffered with this for as long as I can remember and suspect it's inherited. For a while I coped by avoiding foodstuffs / drinks that made it worse but in the end I went to the GP. First checked for a stomach ulcer / H. pylori infection but negative. Then gastroscopy which revealed a hiatus hernia - the sphincter which should close the stomach doesn't work properly, so the hydrochloric acid comes back up and the oesophagus isn't designed for it. Not good to leave it like that as it can turn cancerous.
I'm now on lansoprazole daily, which reduces acid production, and means I can eat more or less normally. However, the physical defect is still there so I cannot eat / drink too much at once, or late at night unless I want to be woken by choking on my stomach contents. Similarly I have to be careful about doing too much DIY / gardening that has me leaning forwards / down.0 -
Stuff that used to upset me: high fat things like sausage rolls / pork pies / battered fish, fresh pastry, fresh bread, coffee, bananas, red wine, spirits, weetabix, tomato soup, and acidic things like orange / grapefruit juice and picallili.
Things which I was always told to avoid but which I could consume happily: spicy foods, full fat milk, hot drinks.
You can quickly see if it's excess acid by drinking a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in a glass of water. You'll burp like a cow for a few minutes but then if the pain's gone...0 -
keef66 wrote:Are we talking about stomach pain, or is it acid reflux - stomach contents making it back up into your oesophagus and burning?
If it's made worse by posture, eg you cite riding in the drops, it suggests the latter and a possible physical cause.
I've suffered with this for as long as I can remember and suspect it's inherited. For a while I coped by avoiding foodstuffs / drinks that made it worse but in the end I went to the GP. First checked for a stomach ulcer / H. pylori infection but negative. Then gastroscopy which revealed a hiatus hernia - the sphincter which should close the stomach doesn't work properly, so the hydrochloric acid comes back up and the oesophagus isn't designed for it. Not good to leave it like that as it can turn cancerous.
I'm now on lansoprazole daily, which reduces acid production, and means I can eat more or less normally. However, the physical defect is still there so I cannot eat / drink too much at once, or late at night unless I want to be woken by choking on my stomach contents. Similarly I have to be careful about doing too much DIY / gardening that has me leaning forwards / down.
I suspect it's reflux yes.
Sounds like there's not much of a solution, other than medication!0 -
Rick Chasey wrote:I suspect it's reflux yes.
Sounds like there's not much of a solution, other than medication!
I'd still say go to the doc. If it is an ulcer, chances are its caused by H. pylori infection, and it can be cured by a short course of 2 antibiotics. Step-Father-in law suffered all his working life then in his 70s finally got tested and was cured in a fortnight!
Even if you don't have an ulcer, a daily pill is extremely effective. Half the people I know are on them. And I suspect it's a cheaper option for the NHS than trying to sort out the complications of leaving reflux untreated...0 -
Yes.
I am very averse to being in a position to take a pill every day.
I do not want that. At all.0 -
Rick Chasey wrote:Yes.
I am very averse to being in a position to take a pill every day.
I do not want that. At all.
I was the same in my younger years, but I'm getting on a bit now.
I have to remember to take 5 different things daily. Reluctantly, but unfortunately I do need them all.0 -
I used to suffer from this greatly ..... and exercise, ie cycling, weights made it worse.
Effectively I lost weight, that was the biggest contributing factore if I stay under 80kg I am mostly fine, above 80kg .. BOOM acid reflux
going on this site though most people are far from fat, so that probably doesn't help
I get it slightly now if I have been drinking alcohol in any pleasurable amount, coke, chewing gum, or just eating a sensible amount of food
If I try to stay hungry it stays completely away0 -
My body fat % is on the border of being too low according to my health check up (I'm 55-56 kilos) so I doubt it's excess weight!0
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yeah I would lose anymore weight .... 55kg .... man you must climb like a scalded rabbit !0
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Worth getting it checked out properly...
I suffer from something similar, albeit only very occasionally and spoke to the doc about it earlier in the week (was in for a medical so thought I'd take the opportunity). She suggested if it happens regularly, get referred for an endoscopy so the can check the oesophagus out, particularly the valve at the bottom which doesn't always function correctly. This can effective leak acid back up into the oesophagus causing that acid reflux.
Mine is really irregular so I'll probably leave it until it happens again but if it's occurring regularly it's got to be worth the discomfort of a tube down your throat.
Btw - definitely seems hereditary... my Mum suffers, her mum did too and if you leave it that acid can do nasty things to the cells in the oesophagus.0 -
What they said!
I have a hiatus hearnia which is apparently hereditary. I take one tablet of Omepeazole a day to control the reflux it causes, have done since I was about 20. I was diagnosed via a gastroscopy after my older brother who ignored his symptoms was told he had Barrett's Oesophagus. Basically because he'd ignored the reflux for so long the stomach acid had damaged the cells in his oesophagus and caused them to become pre-cancerous.
Just get it checked, maybe enjoy the pleasures of having a camera rammed down your throat and then take a PPI tablet once a day and suffer non more.0 -
I've a number of stomach related auto immune conditions, one of the other things found via biopsy etc was eosinophilic esophagitis. Similar symptoms but omeprazole etc doesn't work... it's the least of my worries but I think that milk products don't help me personally.0
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I've been on Omeprazole for about 10 years because of Barrett's whatsit, and several endoscopies later it's still negligible. When I started, the figures were that they thought that something like 1 in 20 developed into cancer, now they think it's more like one on 10,000, as they think far more people have the condition but who never get diagnosed.Dan Walton wrote:I have a hiatus hearnia which is apparently hereditary. I take one tablet of Omepeazole a day to control the reflux it causes, have done since I was about 20. I was diagnosed via a gastroscopy after my older brother who ignored his symptoms was told he had Barrett's Oesophagus. Basically because he'd ignored the reflux for so long the stomach acid had damaged the cells in his oesophagus and caused them to become pre-cancerous.
Just get it checked, maybe enjoy the pleasures of having a camera rammed down your throat and then take a PPI tablet once a day and suffer non more.0 -
Give some apple cider vinegar a try. Whilst I don't know if it will help with your specific problem it was a revelation for me in terms of settling the stomach and is recommended as a possible cure for acid reflux. Tastes foul but it's cheap so can't hurt to try. Couple of tablespoons in a glass of water does the job.0
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briantrumpet wrote:
I've been on Omeprazole for about 10 years because of Barrett's whatsit, and several endoscopies later it's still negligible. When I started, the figures were that they thought that something like 1 in 20 developed into cancer, now they think it's more like one on 10,000, as they think far more people have the condition but who never get diagnosed.Dan Walton wrote:I have a hiatus hearnia which is apparently hereditary. I take one tablet of Omepeazole a day to control the reflux it causes, have done since I was about 20. I was diagnosed via a gastroscopy after my older brother who ignored his symptoms was told he had Barrett's Oesophagus. Basically because he'd ignored the reflux for so long the stomach acid had damaged the cells in his oesophagus and caused them to become pre-cancerous.
Just get it checked, maybe enjoy the pleasures of having a camera rammed down your throat and then take a PPI tablet once a day and suffer non more.
Same here;found that some of the powders and tabs for water can set it off(indigestion that is)so have been just using water or a very weak mix;have to be careful eating too so take my time when I need a snack on the bike.Ridley Helium SL (Dura-Ace/Wheelsmith Aero-dimpled 45 wheels)
Light Blue Robinson(105 +lots of Hope)
Planet X XLS 1X10(105/XTR/Miche/TRP Spyre SLC brakes
Graham Weigh 105/Ultegra0 -
I had a self inflicted bout yesterday. Spent the morning grouting kitchen tiles which seemed to involve a lot of leaning over the worktop / under the wall cupboards, then had a bacon and egg bap for lunch (god, it was tasty!) and some of the Christmas shortbread with the inevitable mug of tea. Agony all afternoon..0
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You could talk to your Doctor and ask about a Laparoscopic Fundoplication, assuming your gastroscopy shows you have a functional Hiatus Hernia with reflux.0
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FatTed wrote:You could talk to your Doctor and ask about a Laparoscopic Fundoplication, assuming your gastroscopy shows you have a functional Hiatus Hernia with reflux.
Ah yes, I remember being offered this... I think the doc said you can't eat solids after the surgery, but that usually improves and you won't be able to vomit... umm, I don't mind not vomiting but I am a fan of solid food, so I'll just take the tablets thanks!0 -
Have you tried food supplements that aid digestion? Try slippery elm, 2 caps before or after each meal and you will notice the difference right away.0
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Was your doctor Professor Stanley Unwin?FatTed wrote:You could talk to your Doctor and ask about a Laparoscopic Fundoplication, assuming your gastroscopy shows you have a functional Hiatus Hernia with reflux.0 -
briantrumpet wrote:
Was your doctor Professor Stanley Unwin?FatTed wrote:You could talk to your Doctor and ask about a Laparoscopic Fundoplication, assuming your gastroscopy shows you have a functional Hiatus Hernia with reflux.
Had to look him up, still none the wiser.0 -
FatTed wrote:briantrumpet wrote:
Was your doctor Professor Stanley Unwin?FatTed wrote:You could talk to your Doctor and ask about a Laparoscopic Fundoplication, assuming your gastroscopy shows you have a functional Hiatus Hernia with reflux.
Had to look him up, still none the wiser.
If you listen to him the relevance of the post will become apparent.0 -
I get the same problems to varying degrees, I take bisodol, or your favourite anti acid and take them as required, can be a pain fishing them out of a pocket, sometimes i pop them up a sleeve by my wrist or in the bottom of the legs in my shorts, better than suffering0
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Actually, being able to vomit is way more important as it's organism's defensive mechanism against poisoning.
Tea is acidic beverage, most folks suffering from reflux would do well to switch to something else.
While apple vinegar is acidic, it has alkalising effect after metabolising, so could reduce acidity issues. Reducing stomach acid levels has dangers in itself as it can compromise digestion process. If compared to many other animals, humans have weak stomach acid and short bowel tract.
While me stomach issues mostly went away after I stopped using milk, this sounds like a different problem from OP's. None of us here are specialists and a proper doctor's test would be advisable.0 -
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This is basic chemistry.0
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