Dyspepsia, or indigestion, is characterized by feeling full very soon after you begin to eat, an uncomfortable fullness right after a meal or a burning sensation in your upper abdomen. A number of items can trigger indigestion such as eating too much, eating spicy foods or by drinking carbonated drinks.
Indigestion
Aside from an uncomfortable feeling of fullness, indigestion can cause heartburn, belching, bloating and gas. You may even feel nauseated either due to the uncomfortable fullness or due to the bloating and gas. If your stomach is sensitive to spicy foods, you may also experience very painful heartburn and excess stomach acid. Excess stomach acid can flow into your esophagus and cause additional pain and burning. If left untreated, excess stomach acid can cause damage to your esophagus and throat.
Causes
Spicy foods, chocolate, caffeine, carbonated drinks, fatty foods and alcoholic beverages can cause indigestion. Eating too fast can also cause indigestion as you can easily overeat at a very fast pace, which can lead to an uncomfortable feeling of fullness. Certain conditions, such as acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, can cause frequent and sometimes chronic indigestion.
Treatment
A variety of over-the-counter and prescription treatments for indigestion are available. Some over-the-counter treatments involve taking an antacid tablet when you begin to experience indigestion or you can purchase liquid medications to coat your stomach to help alleviate the symptoms of indigestion. For chronic or frequent indigestion and stomach acid, there are over-the-counter medications that involve taking one pill each day for a period of time. It's important to take antacids and other indigestion medications as directed. If you experience heartburn and indigestion for more than a week or two or continue to experience indigestion after taking an antacid medication, talk to your health care provider. You could be suffering from a more serious condition that might warrant prompt medical treatment.
Warning
Do not take antacids or other medications if you are pregnant or nursing without talking to your health care provider. Antacids can interact with certain conditions, such as kidney and liver disease, and some medications. Antacids may contain a large amount of sodium, which may interfere with a low-sodium diet and certain conditions such as high blood pressure. If you have kidney problems, ask your health care provider which brand of antacid is best for you, as certain brands can cause additional problems for those whose kidneys are not functioning properly.
