What are the common symptoms of indigestion. How is indigestion diagnosed and treated. Can indigestion be prevented or avoided. What lifestyle changes can help manage indigestion symptoms.

Understanding Indigestion: What Is It and Why Does It Occur?

Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, is a common digestive issue that affects many people. It occurs when the body has difficulty digesting food, leading to discomfort in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The GI tract comprises various organs involved in the digestion process, and indigestion can affect any part of this system.

Indigestion can be occasional or chronic, with symptoms and causes varying from person to person. When there is no identifiable cause for indigestion, it is referred to as functional dyspepsia.

What triggers indigestion?

Several factors can trigger indigestion, including:

• Consuming spicy, fatty, acidic, or high-fiber foods
• Eating late at night
• Excessive alcohol or caffeine consumption
• Certain medications
• Smoking
• Lack of sleep
• Stress

Recognizing the Symptoms: How Does Indigestion Feel?

Indigestion can manifest in various ways, often resembling a stomachache. Common symptoms include:

• Pain, discomfort, or a burning sensation in the chest or stomach
• Excessive burping
• Bloating and abdominal distension
• Gurgling stomach and flatulence
• Acid reflux
• Heartburn
• Nausea and occasional vomiting

While these symptoms are generally mild, it’s important to seek medical attention if they persist for more than two weeks or if you experience severe symptoms such as:

• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty swallowing
• Persistent vomiting or vomiting blood
• Sudden chest, arm, neck, or jaw pain
• Cold sweats
• Black or bloody stools

Underlying Causes: Medical Conditions Associated with Indigestion

While lifestyle factors often contribute to indigestion, several medical conditions can also cause or exacerbate symptoms:

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

GERD occurs when stomach contents, including acid, flow back into the esophagus. This can cause heartburn, regurgitation, and sometimes vomiting.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

IBS affects the intestines and can cause abdominal pain, bloating, gas, constipation, and diarrhea.

Helicobacter pylori Infection

This bacterial infection can lead to indigestion and, if left untreated, may cause ulcers or increase the risk of stomach cancer.

Gastroparesis

This condition slows or stops the movement of food through the digestive tract, leading to nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, bloating, and acid reflux.

Peptic Ulcers

Ulcers are sores that can develop on the lining of the stomach, small intestine, or esophagus, causing pain and discomfort.

Gastritis

Inflammation of the stomach lining can lead to indigestion symptoms.

Stomach Cancer

Although rare, persistent indigestion can be a sign of stomach cancer, especially in older adults.

Diagnosing Indigestion: What to Expect at the Doctor’s Office

When you visit a doctor for indigestion, they will typically start with a review of your symptoms and a physical examination. Depending on the severity and duration of your symptoms, they may recommend additional tests to determine the underlying cause:

• Blood tests to check for infections or other abnormalities
• Urine and stool tests to rule out certain conditions
• X-rays or ultrasounds to visualize the digestive tract
• Upper endoscopy to examine the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine

An upper endoscopy involves inserting a thin tube with a camera into the esophagus while the patient is under sedation. This procedure allows the doctor to directly observe the upper digestive tract and identify any abnormalities.

Prevention Strategies: Minimizing the Risk of Indigestion

While not all cases of indigestion can be prevented, there are several steps you can take to reduce your risk:

1. Identify and avoid trigger foods: Keep a food diary to track which foods cause discomfort.
2. Eat smaller, more frequent meals: This can help prevent overloading your digestive system.
3. Avoid late-night eating: Give your body time to digest before lying down.
4. Limit alcohol and caffeine consumption: Both can irritate the digestive tract.
5. Quit smoking: Smoking can worsen indigestion symptoms.
6. Manage stress: Practice relaxation techniques and prioritize sleep.
7. Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight can put pressure on the stomach and contribute to indigestion.

Treatment Options: Managing Indigestion Symptoms Effectively

The treatment for indigestion depends on its underlying cause. Your doctor will help determine the most appropriate approach for your situation. Common treatment options include:

Over-the-counter medications

• Antacids (e.g., Tums, Alka-Seltzer): These neutralize stomach acid to provide quick relief.
• Proton pump inhibitors (e.g., Prilosec, Prevacid): These reduce acid production in the stomach.
• Histamine blockers (e.g., Pepcid): These help reduce pain and symptoms but should not be used long-term.

It’s important to note that pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications (e.g., Aleve) should be avoided for indigestion, as they can worsen symptoms, especially with frequent use.

Prescription medications

For more severe cases or those caused by specific conditions, your doctor may prescribe:

• Stronger acid-blocking medications
• Antibiotics for H. pylori infections
• Prokinetics to improve stomach emptying in cases of gastroparesis

Lifestyle modifications

In addition to medication, lifestyle changes play a crucial role in managing indigestion:

• Dietary adjustments: Avoid trigger foods and eat smaller, more frequent meals.
• Stress reduction: Practice relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga.
• Sleep hygiene: Ensure you get adequate, quality sleep each night.
• Exercise: Regular physical activity can improve digestion and overall health.

Living with Indigestion: Long-term Management and Outlook

For most people, indigestion is a manageable condition that doesn’t significantly impact their quality of life. With proper treatment and lifestyle adjustments, many individuals can effectively control their symptoms. However, it’s essential to work closely with your healthcare provider to develop a comprehensive management plan.

Are there any long-term complications of chronic indigestion?

While indigestion itself is not typically associated with serious complications, chronic or severe cases may lead to:

• Reduced quality of life due to persistent discomfort
• Difficulty maintaining a healthy diet
• Anxiety or depression related to ongoing symptoms
• Potential nutritional deficiencies if certain foods are consistently avoided

In rare cases, persistent indigestion may be a sign of a more serious underlying condition. This is why it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare professional if symptoms are severe or long-lasting.

How can I effectively manage indigestion in daily life?

Successfully managing indigestion often requires a multifaceted approach:

1. Maintain a food diary to identify and avoid trigger foods
2. Practice mindful eating, chewing slowly and thoroughly
3. Stay upright for at least two hours after meals
4. Wear loose-fitting clothing to reduce pressure on your stomach
5. Manage stress through relaxation techniques or counseling if needed
6. Take medications as prescribed by your doctor
7. Stay hydrated, but avoid drinking large amounts of fluid with meals
8. Engage in regular, moderate exercise

By incorporating these strategies into your daily routine, you can minimize the impact of indigestion on your life and improve your overall digestive health.

When to Seek Medical Attention: Recognizing Serious Symptoms

While indigestion is often a benign condition, there are instances where medical attention is necessary. It’s important to be aware of red flags that may indicate a more serious underlying issue:

What symptoms warrant immediate medical care?

• Severe, persistent abdominal pain
• Difficulty swallowing or pain when swallowing
• Unexplained weight loss
• Persistent vomiting or vomiting blood
• Black, tarry stools
• Chest pain that radiates to the jaw, neck, or arm
• Shortness of breath or sweating along with digestive symptoms

If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention promptly. They could be signs of more serious conditions such as ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, or even heart problems.

How often should I follow up with my doctor for chronic indigestion?

For individuals with chronic indigestion, regular follow-ups with a healthcare provider are important. The frequency of these visits may vary depending on the severity of your symptoms and any underlying conditions. Generally, it’s advisable to:

• Schedule an initial follow-up 4-6 weeks after starting treatment
• Have regular check-ups every 3-6 months if symptoms are well-controlled
• See your doctor more frequently if symptoms worsen or new issues arise

During these follow-ups, your doctor can assess the effectiveness of your treatment plan, make necessary adjustments, and monitor for any potential complications.

Emerging Research: New Insights into Indigestion Management

The field of gastroenterology is constantly evolving, with ongoing research providing new insights into the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of indigestion. Some promising areas of study include:

Microbiome and Indigestion

Researchers are exploring the role of gut bacteria in digestive health. Probiotics and prebiotics are being studied for their potential to alleviate indigestion symptoms by promoting a healthy gut microbiome.

Mind-Body Connection

The link between mental health and digestive function is becoming increasingly recognized. Techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and hypnotherapy are being investigated as potential treatments for functional dyspepsia.

Personalized Medicine

Advances in genetic testing and biomarker identification may lead to more personalized treatment approaches for indigestion, allowing doctors to tailor therapies to individual patients based on their unique biological profiles.

Novel Pharmacological Approaches

New medications targeting specific receptors in the digestive system are in development, potentially offering more effective and targeted treatments for various forms of indigestion.

As research continues, it’s likely that our understanding and management of indigestion will continue to improve, offering hope for more effective treatments and better quality of life for those affected by this common condition.

What Causes Indigestion (Dyspepsia)? – Symptoms

What is indigestion (dyspepsia)?

Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, is a common condition. It can happen when your body has trouble digesting food. It occurs in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The GI tract is a group of organs that plays a part in digestion. Anyone can get indigestion. You can get it on occasion, or it can be an ongoing problem. The symptoms and causes vary by case. If there is no known cause for indigestion, it is referred to as functional dyspepsia.

Symptoms of indigestion

Indigestion can feel like a stomachache. You can have a range of symptoms including:

• Pain, discomfort, or a burning feeling in your chest or stomach
• Burping
• Bloating
• Gurgling stomach and/or gas
• Acid reflux
• Heartburn
• Nausea and/or vomiting

Talk to your doctor if symptoms continue for more than two weeks. Seek medical care right away if your symptoms are severe, such as:

• Shortness of breath
• Trouble swallowing
• Ongoing vomiting
• Throwing up blood
• Sudden pain in chest, arm, neck, or jaw
• Cold sweats
• Thick, black, or bloody stool

What causes indigestion?

A lot of factors can cause indigestion. These include:

• Eating certain foods, such as those that are spicy and fatty, and those with lots of acid or fiber
• Eating too late in the day
• Drinking alcohol or too much caffeine
• Taking certain medicines
• Smoking
• Not sleeping

Problems in your GI tract or other health issues also can cause indigestion. These include:

• Acid reflux, gastroesophageal reflux (GER), or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): This is when your food and drink comes back up from your stomach after eating or drinking. It’s in the form of acid and can come into your esophagus, the tube-like organ connecting your mouth and stomach. Acid reflux also can produce vomiting. This condition also may cause heartburn.
• Irritable bowel syndrome: This disorder affects your intestines. Symptoms include stomach pain, bloating, gas, constipation, and diarrhea.
• Infection: A bacterial infection from Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) can cause indigestion.
• Gastroparesis: This condition affects digestion. If muscles in your GI tract stop working, your body slows down or stops the movement of food. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, bloating, and acid reflux.
• Ulcer: This is a sore on the lining of your stomach (peptic ulcer), small intestine, or esophagus.
• Gastritis: This is inflammation of your stomach lining.
• Stomach cancer: This is a rare condition, but indigestion can be one of its signs.

How is indigestion diagnosed?

Your doctor will review your symptoms and perform a physical exam. They may order tests to determine the cause of indigestion. Those tests can include blood work, urine/stool tests, or an X-ray or ultrasound. Sometimes your doctor may perform an upper endoscopy to see inside your stomach. Your doctor will insert a thin tube with a camera on the end into your esophagus. This will be done after you’re given medicines to go to sleep.

Can indigestion be prevented or avoided?

There are ways to prevent indigestion. To start, you need to know your body and how it reacts to different food and drinks. Spicy and acidic foods and carbonated drinks can trigger indigestion. Try to avoid those things when possible. Eat smaller meals throughout the day, and don’t eat too late at night. Don’t lie down too soon after eating. Limit the use of alcohol. If you use tobacco, try to quit. Stress and lack of sleep also can worsen symptoms.

Indigestion treatment

Your treatment will depend on what is causing your indigestion. Your doctor can help you decide which treatment is best for you.

Some over-the-counter medicines may help your symptoms. Check with your doctor before starting something new.

• Antacids (two brand names: Tums and Alka-Seltzer) work against the acid in your system.
• Proton pump inhibitors omeprazole (one brand name: Prilosec) and lansoprazole (one brand name: Prevacid) help block the site of acid production in your stomach.
• Histamine blockers (one brand name: Pepcid) help reduce pain and symptoms, but should not be used long-term.

Do not take pain and anti-inflammatory medicines (one brand name: Aleve) for your symptoms. They do not help and can worsen your condition, especially if used often.

If you have a stomach ulcer, you may need to take an acid-blocking medicine. But your ulcer can be cured. If you have an infection in your stomach, you also may need to take an antibiotic.

Prevention methods for indigestion also are forms of treatment. These include changing your diet and the way you eat. Also get more sleep and reduce your level of stress.

Living with indigestion

Most people who have indigestion lead a normal life. You may need to make some lifestyle changes or take medicine to treat your symptoms. Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight.

In rare cases, indigestion can be the sign of a serious problem. Examples include a deep stomach ulcer or stomach cancer. If you have any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor right away:

• You recently lost weight without trying.
• You have trouble swallowing.
• You have severe vomiting.
• You have black, tarry bowel movements.

Questions to ask your doctor

• What’s causing my indigestion?
• What are some foods I should avoid to help with my indigestion?
• How much time do I need to leave been my final meal of the day and bedtime?
• Does sleeping on an elevated pillow help indigestion?
• What medicines will help my indigestion? Do they have side effects?
• Are there any medicines I should avoid that may make my indigestion worse?
• What should I do when nothing seems to help my indigestion?

Resources

National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Indigestion (Dyspepsia)

Indigestion – NHS

Most people have indigestion (dyspepsia) at some point. Usually, it’s not a sign of anything more serious and you can treat it yourself.

Check if you have indigestion

Indigestion can be felt in different ways.

You can have the following symptoms after eating or drinking:

• heartburn – a painful burning feeling in the chest, often after eating
• feeling full and bloated
• feeling sick
• burping and farting
• bringing up food or bitter-tasting fluids into your mouth

When it’s not indigestion

Stomach ache or back pain are usually not symptoms of indigestion. If you have those you might be constipated.

How you can treat indigestion yourself

There’s usually no need to see a GP about indigestion. There are some things you can do at home.

Do

• cut down on tea, coffee, cola or alcohol

• raise your head and shoulders up when in bed – this can stop stomach acid coming up while you sleep

• lose weight if you’re overweight

Don’t

• do not eat 3 to 4 hours before going to bed

• do not have rich, spicy or fatty foods

• do not take ibuprofen or aspirin – this can make indigestion worse

• do not smoke

A pharmacist can help with indigestion

A pharmacist can recommend medicines to ease the burning feeling or pain that can come with indigestion.

Medicines that can help with indigestion include:

• antacids
• alginates
• proton pump inhibitors

Some indigestion medicines are best to take after eating as their effects last longer. Check the information leaflet that comes with the medicines for more information.

Pregnant women: treating indigestion

Pregnant women often get indigestion. It’s very common from 27 weeks onwards.

It can be caused by hormonal changes and the growing baby pressing against the stomach.

A pharmacist can help with uncomfortable feelings or pain. They can recommend the best medicines to use when you’re pregnant.

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if you:

• keep getting indigestion
• are in severe pain
• have lost a lot of weight without meaning to
• have difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• keep being sick
• have iron deficiency anaemia
• feel like you have a lump in your stomach
• have bloody vomit or poo

These symptoms can be a sign of something more serious.

What causes indigestion

Indigestion is often caused by acid from your stomach irritating your stomach lining or throat. This is called acid reflux.

This can be caused or made worse by:

• certain food and drink – such as coffee, tomatoes, alcohol, chocolate and fatty or spicy foods
• being overweight
• smoking
• pregnancy
• stress and anxiety
• some medicines, including anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen
• a hiatus hernia – when part of your stomach moves up into your chest

Indigestion can also be caused by an open sore in your stomach lining (stomach ulcer). Less often, it can be a sign of something more serious such as stomach cancer.

Page last reviewed: 05 May 2023
Next review due: 05 May 2026

How to distinguish functional intestinal disorders

07/19/2016

Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract of a functional type can be traced in people of all ages. This disease is characterized by frequent pain in the abdomen, discomfort, violation of regular defecation, which significantly affects the way of life of a person. Despite the absence of a disease as such, a functional disorder significantly reduces the patient’s quality of life, as it is accompanied by constant discomfort in the abdomen. Functional pathology is characterized by the following features:

• functional abdominal distention;
• irritable bowel syndrome;
• functional diarrhea;
• functional type constipation;
• functional nonspecific bowel disorder.

These disorders are most commonly characterized by recurrent abdominal pain, change in stool frequency, markedly loose stools, or conversely, difficult defecation, a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bowels. You can often confuse these symptoms with rotavirus and enterovirus infection.

Functional bowel disorder

In order to make a more accurate diagnosis, it is worth considering rotavirus and enterovirus infections, which have similar symptoms. However, to improve the functioning of the intestines, it is enough to adhere to a certain diet, and with the above infections, a doctor’s examination and treatment are needed. More detailed advice can be obtained at an appointment with a specialist at the Family Medical Center.

Rotavirus infection and its symptoms

Rotavirus infection is most common in children aged six months to two years, but can also occur in adults. It is noteworthy that adults tolerate this disease faster than children with mild symptoms. Intestinal flu, also called rotavirus infection, is transmitted through infected dairy products, by touch and airborne droplets. The most vulnerable time for such infections is the period from November to April.

There are several periods of the functioning of the disease: up to five days the incubation period lasts, up to seven days – the acute period, and up to five days – the recovery period of the body. The onset of the disease is characterized by acute symptoms, such as the presence of high fever, spasmodic pain, vomiting, and the development of diarrhea.

It is possible to determine the presence of rotavirus infection by the quality of the stool. In the first days, the stool is characterized by a special liquid consistency and yellow color, and in the following days – a clay-like consistency and yellow-gray color. It is noteworthy that in addition to the above symptoms, the patient may be disturbed by a runny nose, sore throat and cough. Such symptoms are characteristic of the disease of children, while in adults this disease proceeds as a common indigestion.

Symptoms can be similar to salmonellosis or cholera, so you should definitely consult a specialist for an accurate diagnosis.

Symptoms of enterovirus infection

Enterovirus infection is caused by intestinal viruses, which provoke a number of symptoms. Of the signs of this infection, the following can be distinguished: fever, disorders of the central nervous system and polymorphism of clinical symptoms against this background, damage to the cardiovascular, muscular system, liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract.

These viruses exist in nature due to the fact that they can stay in the environment for a long time, and multiply and accumulate in the human body. The virus enters the body through the upper respiratory tract, and getting into the mucous membrane causes inflammation associated with acute respiratory infections, intestinal dysfunction, pharyngitis, and subsequently spreads through the blood throughout the body.

The virus can be transmitted by airborne droplets or tactile, and appears most often from June to October. It is noteworthy that the immune system remains resistant to enterovirus infection for two years.

Given the similarity of symptoms, but a large difference in treatment, if you notice similar symptoms, you should immediately contact a specialist for examination and advice.

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I see news that delta often causes indigestion. This is true? — Meduza

Tatyana Makeeva / Reuters / Scanpix / LETA

Quotes

• “Experts have described how the Indian strain of coronavirus manifests itself. According to pulmonologist Alexei Nikishenkov, the Indian strain of coronavirus, dubbed Delta, can manifest itself as a disorder of the gastrointestinal tract” (TASS)
• “Doctors spoke about stomach problems due to the Indian strain of coronavirus” (Forbes)
• “The Indian strain of COVID-19 can be recognized by an unpleasant symptom” (Pravda.Ru)

What is true about this news?

Unfortunately, we do not have much reliable data on the symptoms that are more common in delta covid. The media often rely on the words of individual doctors, but it is known that this is a very unreliable source of information: people can have misperceptions. For example, if you are about to buy a car and you have chosen a red one, then it is likely that you will feel that there are more red cars on the roads simply because you have begun to pay attention to them. It can be the same with the symptoms of covid.

Statistical processing of data reduces the risks of such distortion, so it is better to rely on scientific publications. However, unfortunately, there are no such articles on the symptoms of covid caused by the delta variant yet. So far, there is only an analysis of data on the alpha variant (B.1.1.7, also known as “British”) – it showed that this new variant does not change the manifestation of the disease.

At the same time, we have data collected as part of the scientific project The COVID Symptom Study. People who have downloaded a special application note whether they were vaccinated, whether they had covid, what symptoms were observed, etc. With such a collection of information, there may be enough distortions (for example, in case of severe covid, a person may not be able to notice symptoms in the appendix, which will affect the results of the study). The authors of the project plan to publish scientific articles, but so far there is only modest data on the delta, which they periodically issue. On June 23, 2021, a message appeared on the project website stating that with the spread of new options, the symptoms reported by application users have also changed.

Now the “rating” of symptoms for the unvaccinated is:

1. Headache (it was among the most common symptoms and used to be)
2. Sore throat
3. Runny nose
4. Fever
5. Constant cough

Loss of smell, which was earlier was among the main ones, now it occupies only the ninth place, and shortness of breath has dropped to the 30th place.

Fully vaccinated people who then become ill report fewer symptoms. The “rating” of their symptoms looks like this:

1. Headache
2. Runny nose
3. Sneezing
4. Sore throat
5. Loss of smell

But no diarrhea in any of the ratings”. Despite statements by individual doctors, there is no reason to believe that diarrhea or vomiting are popular symptoms of a new strain of covid.

The website does not specify whether these data refer only to the UK, where the study began, or to other countries as well. Third-party experts suggest that these data are British, and perhaps the change in the manifestations of covid is not due to the delta, but to the fact that younger people are now more likely to get sick, in whom the disease is milder (this is due to the fact that older people in the UK vaccinated first).

If a person does have diarrhea, does this affect treatment in any way?

In the old cases, there were cases when covid was manifested only by symptoms related to the gastrointestinal tract (GIT): nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.