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Sam Anderson is president of Bay & Bay Transportation and directs its Healthy U driver wellness program.

For many people, Thanksgiving kicks off more than just the season for gift giving.  It can launch you into weeks of over indulging in holiday food and drink during home time.  And it comes with a price:  Indigestion.  

Truckers are particularly vulnerable to this discomfort, and not just during the holidays.  I don’t blame you. Who wouldn’t want to fill up on tasty, home cooking before climbing behind the wheel again?  Regardless, it’s important to know what indigestion is – and isn’t –how to treat it and, more so, how to prevent it.

Indigestion or Heartburn?
An affiliate of the National Institutes of Health describes indigestion (also known as upset stomach or dyspepsia) as a discomfort or burning feeling in your upper abdomen.  

Some people also use the term indigestion to describe the symptoms of heartburn.  Heartburn is a painful, burning feeling in the chest, and is often caused by stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus.  Heartburn is the most common symptom of a disease called acid reflux (more on that in a future column).

Indigestion is not a disease, but rather a collection of symptoms that include heartburn, abdominal bloating, belching, and sometimes vomiting.  Sound familiar?  If so, you’re not alone.  More than 60 million Americans experience heartburn symptoms at least once a month, according to The American College of Gastroenterology.

Indigestion Triggers
The Mayo Clinic reports that indigestion usually results from eating too much, eating too quickly, eating high-fat or spicy foods, or eating during stressful situations.  Smoking, drinking too much alcohol, using medications that irritate your stomach lining and being tired can also cause indigestion or make it worse.

Treatment and Prevention
Treatment of indigestion depends on what’s causing your symptoms.  As always, your best bet is to be proactive and prevent discomfort by following some basic rules.

• Eat smaller, more frequent meals, and eat slowly
• Maintain a healthy weight (extra pounds on your abdomen push stomach acid back up into your esophagus)
• Exercise regularly
• Manage stress

When to Consult a Doctor
Mild indigestion is nothing to fear.  But get your doctor involved if you experience severe discomfort, weight loss, vomiting, black stools, or heart attack symptoms:  shortness of breath, sweating, or pain radiating to your jaw, neck or arm.

If you have comments or ideas on what you’d like to read in “Healthy U for Truck Drivers,” send them to healthyu@bayandbay.com. Until next time, remember, small steps can lead to big change and a healthier you.  Have a blessed holiday season.