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. Show
Indigestion can feel like a stomachache. You can have a range of symptoms including: Talk to your doctor if symptoms continue for more than two weeks. Seek medical care right away if your symptoms are severe, such as: A lot of factors can cause indigestion. These include: Problems in your GI tract or other health issues also can cause indigestion. These include: 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. 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. 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.
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. 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:
National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Indigestion (Dyspepsia) |