What is indigestion?
Indigestion (dyspepsia) happens to almost everyone. Eating habits or a chronic digestive problem can trigger indigestion.
Indigestion can cause:
stomach pain or bloating
heartburn
nausea
vomiting
Other common symptoms of include:
feeling full during a meal and not being able to finish eating
feeling very full after eating a normal-sized meal
burning sensation in the stomach or esophagus
gnawing sensation in the stomach
experiencing excessive gas or belching
Don’t’ ignore severe symptoms of indigestion. See your doctor right away if you experience any of the following:
severe vomiting
vomit that is bloody or looks like coffee grounds
unexplained weight loss
black stools
trouble swallowing
Causes of indigestion:
Indigestion something results from overeating or eating too fast. Spicy, greasy, and fatty foods also increase the risk of indigestion. Lying down too soon after eating can make it harder to digest food. This increase your risk for abdominal discomfort.
Other common causes of poor digestion include:
smoking
drinking too much alcohol
side effects of medications
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, are one class of medications that can cause side effects.
Eating habits and lifestyle choices can cause. Symptoms of indigestion can also be caused by:
acid reflux disease (GERD)
gastric cancer
pancreatic or bile duct abnormalities
peptic ulcers
Peptic ulcers are sores in the lining of the stomach, esophagus, or duodenum that can be caused by H. pyloribacteria.
Sometimes, there’s no known cause of indigestion, which is referred to as functional dyspepsia. Functional dyspepsia may be caused by abnormal muscle motility, like a squeezing action, in the area where the stomach muscles digest and move food into the small intestine.
Diagnosing indigestion:
Your doctor will likely start by asking questions about your medical history and eating habits. You’ll also undergo a physical examination. Your doctor may order X-rays of your abdomen to see if there are any abnormalities in your digestive tract.
They may also collect blood, breath, and stool samples to check for a type of bacteria that causes peptic ulcers.
Your doctor can order an endoscopic exam to check your upper digestive tract for abnormalities.
During an endoscopy, your doctor passes a small tube with a camera and biopsy tool through your esophagus into your stomach. They can then check the lining of the digestive tract for diseases and collect tissue samples. You’ll be mildly sedated for this procedure.
An upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy can diagnose the following:
reflux esophagitis
ulcers
inflammatory diseases
infection cancer
Treatment options for indigestion:
Medications:
Several medications can be used to treat indigestion, but they may cause side effects. Over-the-counter antacids like Maalox and Mylanta help neutralize stomach acid, but may cause diarrhea or constipation.
H2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) like Pepcid reduce stomach acid. Side effects are uncommon, but can include:
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
rash or itching
constipation
headache
bleeding or bruising
Prokinetics, like prescription medications Reglan and Motilium, improve the muscle action — or motility — of the digestive tract. These medications may cause:
depression
anxiety
involuntary movements or spasms
fatigue
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like Prilosec reduce stomach acid, but are stronger than H2RAs. Side effects include:
nausea and vomiting
constipation
diarrhea
cough
headache
backache
dizziness
abdominal pain
Both PPIs and H2 drugs are typically used to treat peptic ulcers. If H. pylori are the cause of ulcers, these drugs are used in combination with antibiotics like clarithromycin and amoxicillin.
Lifestyle changes and home care
Medication isn’t the only treatment for indigestion. You may be able to improve digestion and relieve uncomfortable symptoms with lifestyle adjustments. For example:
Eat smaller meals throughout the day.
Avoid spicy, fatty foods that can trigger heartburn.
Eat slower and don’t eat before lying down.
Stop smoking, if you smoke.
Lose excess body weight.
Reduce the amount of coffee, soft drinks, and alcohol you consume.
Get plenty of rest.
Stop taking medications that can irritate the stomach lining, such as NSAIDs
Reduce stress through yoga or relaxation therapy.
Outlook
Poor digestion is a common problem. However, you shouldn’t ignore indigestion that’s:
chronic
severe
unresponsive to over-the-counter medication
If left untreated, the symptoms of indigestion may interfere with your quality of life.
If you’re can’t manage indigestion at home, speak with your doctor. They can help determine the underlying cause of your digestion issues.
How to Treat Indigestion at Home:
Indigestion is an uncomfortable feeling many of us experience on occasion after having a particularly rich or filling meal.
(Healthline)
