Indigestion (2024)

FAQs

Indigestion? ›

Indigestion — also called dyspepsia or an upset stomach — is discomfort in your upper abdomen. Indigestion describes certain symptoms, such as belly pain and a feeling of fullness soon after you start eating, rather than a specific disease. Indigestion can also be a symptom of other digestive disorders.

The main symptom of indigestion is pain or a feeling of discomfort in your upper abdomen (dyspepsia). People often experience the associated feeling of burning behind the breastbone (heartburn), but this may occur on its own.

Diet and lifestyle factors that may contribute to occasional dyspepsia include: Eating too much or too fast. Overeating stretches your stomach and makes it more likely for acid to escape through the top. Too much fat in your diet.

Duration of Indigestion

Most mild cases of indigestion do not require medical attention or even medication. In these instances, symptoms last only a few hours, and while they may recur for a few days, the symptoms either go away on their own or after making dietary or lifestyle changes.

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.

Heartburn-like pain is a common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but several other conditions can cause a burning feeling in your chest, including gallstones, stomach ulcer and esophageal cancer.

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.

Certain foods can help to prevent acid reflux from occurring by leveling the amount of acid in your stomach. These include high-fiber foods like vegetables, oatmeal, nuts, and non-citrus fruits. Additionally, probiotic-rich foods like yogurt can help to improve digestion and reduce inflammation.

When you have indigestion, you may have one or more of the following symptoms: pain, a burning feeling, or discomfort in your upper abdomen. feeling full too soon while eating a meal. feeling uncomfortably full after eating a meal.

Where is indigestion pain located? ›

Indigestion is a painful or burning feeling in your upper belly or abdomen. It is not the same thing as heartburn. Indigestion may be caused by health problems such as ulcers or lifestyle and eating habits. You should not have foods or medicines that cause indigestion.

Heart attack, indigestion, and other causes of chest pain

The chest pressure that accompanies heart attack is often confused with heartburn (acid indigestion or acid reflux). Chest pain also may indicate: Angina, when blood supply to the heart muscle is restricted but not blocked.