Swallowed food descends through the chest in the esophagus into the stomach. Pain in the central chest may come from an inflamed esophagus. This pain is often burning in quality but may also be a severe ache, suggesting a heart attack. A hiatus hernia may show up on the x-ray, but treatment with diet revision will often help or resolve the problem. Many patients who benefited from proper diet revision have reported that their hearburn and indigestion only returns when they aet the worng foods - this food intolerance may last for many years.
Some patients induce vomiting to avoid discomforts after eating.
Recurrent irritation in the upper GIT is food-caused until proven otherwise. Symptoms from the upper digestive tract are often associated with lower abdominal pain, bloating, constipation and diarrhea. A trial of diet revision can provide prompt relief. If the clearing diet is unsuccessful, further investigation is always required. See Alpha Nutrition.