What is indigestion?

Indigestion (dyspepsia) is a pain, general discomfort, or burning feeling in your upper belly (abdomen). It's common in adults. Indigestion is not the same as heartburn. Heartburn happens when stomach acid goes out of your stomach and back into your food pipe (esophagus). Indigestion may be linked to stomach acid. You can have symptoms of indigestion and heartburn at the same time.

What causes indigestion?

Indigestion can be caused by health problems, lifestyle issues, or medicines.

Health problems or diseases include:

• Sores or ulcers in your stomach or small intestine.

• Redness and swelling or inflammation in your stomach (gastritis).

• Acid flowing from your stomach into your esophagus (GERD).

• Bacterial infection in your stomach (H. pylori).

• Inflammation of your gallbladder (cholecystitis).

• Lumps of solid material (gallstones) in your gallbladder.

• Swelling of your pancreas (pancreatitis).

• Food moving too slowly out of your stomach (gastroparesis).

• Lactose, gluten, and other intolerances.

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

• Gastric cancer.

• Anxiety or depression.

Lifestyle issues include:

• Smoking.

• Having too much caffeine.

• Drinking too much alcohol.

• Eating too fast.

• Eating too much.

• Eating spicy, fatty, or greasy foods.

• Eating too many high-fiber foods.

• Feeling very stressed.

Medicines include:

• Bacteria-fighting medicines (antibiotics).

• Aspirin and over-the-counter pain and fever medicines (NSAIDs). 

• Some medicines for osteoporosis (bisphosphonates).

• Certain medicines, such as iron and potassium tablets.

What are the symptoms of indigestion?

Each person’s symptoms may vary. Symptoms may include:

• Feeling full too soon while eating.

• Feeling pain, burning, and discomfort in your upper belly or abdomen.

• Feeling bloated.

• Burping and loud stomach gurgling.

• Having an upset stomach or vomiting.

• Having diarrhea.

• Having gas.

The symptoms of indigestion may look like other health problems. Always see your health care provider to be sure.

How is indigestion diagnosed?

Your health care provider will look at your past health and give you a physical exam.

To make sure other health problems aren’t causing indigestion, you may have tests. These may include:

• Blood tests.

• Stool or breath tests. These are done to check for stomach bacteria (H. pylori).

• X-rays of your stomach and small intestine .

• Upper endoscopy. This can diagnose reflux esophagitis, ulcers, inflammatory diseases, H. pylori infection, and gastric cancer.

• Ultrasound of your gallbladder or belly (abdomen) .

• Stomach emptying scan.

How is indigestion treated?

You will need to avoid foods or medicines that cause indigestion. It is also helpful to stay away from stressful situations.

Your symptoms may feel better if you:

• Quit smoking.

• Take medicines that weaken or offset stomach acid (antacids).

Your health care provider may suggest that you take medicines to:

• Help your stomach move food more quickly into your small intestine, called prokinetics.

• Decrease the amount of acid in your stomach.

• Kill bacteria (antibiotics) if tests show that you have the H. pylori bacteria in your stomach.

• Help calm the gut's nervous system.

What can I do to prevent indigestion?

There are many things you can do to try to prevent indigestion.

Making changes in your diet and eating habits can help. These include:

• Eating several small, low-fat meals each day instead of 3 large meals.

• Eating slowly and giving yourself enough time for meals.

• Limiting spicy, fatty, greasy, and high-fiber foods.

• Chewing your food well.

• Limiting or not having any coffee, soda, or alcohol.

Don't use medicines that may trigger indigestion unless they are medically necessary. These include aspirin and over-the-counter pain and fever medicines (NSAIDs).

Other lifestyle changes that may keep indigestion from happening include:

• Quitting smoking.

• Getting enough rest.

• Finding ways to lower your emotional and physical stress, such as meditation or yoga.

• Exercising before a meal or waiting at least 1 hour after eating.

• Stopping or limiting how much alcohol you drink.

When should I call a doctor?

Indigestion can be a sign of a serious health problem. Call your health care provider or seek medical care right away if you have indigestion and any of these symptoms:

• Frequent vomiting

• Blood in vomit

• Weight loss or not feeling hungry

• Bloody, black, or tarry stools. This may mean you have blood in your stool.

• Sudden sharp pain in your belly (abdomen)

• Trouble breathing (Call 911)

• Sweating

• Pain that spreads to your jaw, neck, or arm (Call 911)

• Difficult, painful swallowing

• Yellow coloring of your eyes or skin (jaundice)

Also call your provider if you have indigestion that lasts longer than 2 weeks.

Key points about indigestion

• It's a discomfort, painful, or burning feeling in your upper belly (abdomen).

• It's not the same thing as heartburn. But you can have both.

• It may be caused by health problems, such as ulcers.

• It may also be caused by lifestyle and eating habits.

• You should not have foods or medicines that cause indigestion. It's also helpful to stop smoking and limit or stop alcohol use.

• Try to stay away from stressful situations. Regular exercise, meditation, or yoga can also help decrease stress.

Next steps

To help you get the most from a visit to your health care provider:

• Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.

• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.

• Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.

• At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new directions your provider gives you.

• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are and when they should be reported.

• Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.

• Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.

• Know what to expect if you don't take the medicine or have the test or procedure.

• If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.

• Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions.