Indigestion symptoms and treatments (2024)

FAQs

How to make indigestion go away? ›

When to see a doctor. Mild indigestion is usually nothing to worry about. Consult your health care provider if discomfort lasts for more than two weeks.

These symptoms accompanying acid reflux (or any time) should always mean a trip to the emergency room: Squeezing/tightening in the chest. Feeling out of breath. Pain, aching, or discomfort radiating from the chest to the arms, back, or neck.

Acid reflux causes a burning sensation in the throat and chest. Drinking water, low fat milk, and herbal teas may help manage it. Alcohol, caffeinated drinks, and sodas may worsen symptoms. Acid reflux, or heartburn, occurs when stomach acid flows back up into a person's esophagus.

How long does indigestion last? You may have symptoms of indigestion for a few minutes to a few hours after eating. It takes 3-5 hours for your stomach to digest a meal before passing it on to your intestines. During that time, your pancreas and gallbladder send bile and enzymes to your stomach to help with digestion.

Indigestion that lasts longer than one meal or that comes and goes may be caused by your lifestyle, a medical condition, or a medicine you take regularly. Sometimes, people have persistent indigestion that's not related to any of these factors. This type of indigestion is called functional or non-ulcer dyspepsia.

Heartburn and indigestion are often used interchangeably, but they're actually different conditions. Indigestion is a general term that speaks to a wide range of digestive issues. Heartburn, on the other hand, occurs when stomach acid escapes into your esophagus. It's one type of indigestion.

Check if you have indigestion

heartburn – a painful burning feeling in the chest, often after eating. feeling full and bloated. feeling sick. burping and farting.

1ndividuals with nighttime GERD may wake up more often choking or coughing or with regurgitation (ie, an acid or sour taste in their mouth) at nighttime. A recent study has also shown that individuals with nighttime heartburn tend to have more severe GERD symptoms.

How do doctors treat severe indigestion? ›

Your doctor may prescribe acid-suppressing medicines that are stronger than the ones you can buy, antibiotics, prokinetics, or psychological medicines. Antibiotics.

Once acid reflux starts, you can use over-the-counter medications like antacids or ranitidine to stop the symptoms fast. Home remedies like drinking milk or eating a banana may help relieve heartburn symptoms. If medications don't relieve heartburn, and the pain is very severe, you may need to get medical care.

There is no evidence to explain how the temperature of beverages affects acid reflux. Some individuals find cold drinks provide immediate relief from the burning sensation acid reflux can cause. Others may find that warm or hot drinks, like ginger infusions, help soothe your symptoms.

Some lifestyle factors that may cause indigestion that comes and goes include regularly: Eating too much, eating too fast, or eating during stressful situations. Eating foods that your body has a hard time digesting (food intolerance) Smoking or using other tobacco products.

Burping is a common symptom of indigestion and can occur due to an increased production of gas. This gas gets released via the oesophagus and mouth as a burp, providing temporary relief. There are a number of steps you can take to reduce this symptom, such as altering what you eat or the way that you eat it.