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Indigestion

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Definition

Indigestion is a vague feeling of abdominal discomfort -- possibly including belching , heartburn, a feeling of fullness, bloating , and nausea .



Alternative names

Dyspepsia; Uncomfortable fullness after meals



Causes

Drinking too much alcohol Eating spicy foods Eating fatty or greasy foods Eating too much (overeating) Eating too fast Emotional stress or nervousness Gallstones Inflammation of the pancreas (acute or chronic pancreatitis ) Inflammation of the stomach (acute or chronic gastritis ) Tobacco smoking Too much caffeine Ulcers (gastric or duodenal ulcer ) Use of certain drugs such as antibiotics, aspirin, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)



Definition

Indigestion is a vague feeling of abdominal discomfort -- possibly including belching, heartburn, a feeling of fullness, bloating, and nausea.

Alternative names

Dyspepsia; Uncomfortable fullness after meals

Causes

  • Drinking too much alcohol
  • Eating spicy foods
  • Eating fatty or greasy foods
  • Eating too much (overeating)
  • Eating too fast
  • Emotional stress or nervousness
  • Gallstones
  • Inflammation of the pancreas (acute or chronic pancreatitis)
  • Inflammation of the stomach (acute or chronic gastritis)
  • Tobacco smoking
  • Too much caffeine
  • Ulcers (gastric or duodenal ulcer)
  • Use of certain drugs such as antibiotics, aspirin, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Considerations

Indigestion is usually not a serious health problem, unless other symptoms also occur such as weight loss or trouble swallowing.

Indigestion is a common problem. It may be triggered by eating particular foods, or drinking alcoholic or carbonated drinks. It may also be caused by eating too fast or by overeating. Some people may find that spicy foods, high-fiber foods, fatty foods, or too much caffeine can all make this problem worse. Symptoms may be worsened by anxiety and depression.

Rarely, the discomfort of a heart attack is mistaken for indigestion.

Care

  • Allow enough time for meals.
  • Chew food carefully and completely.
  • Avoid arguments during meals.
  • Avoid excitement or exercise immediately after a meal.
  • A calm environment and rest may help relieve stress-related indigestion.
  • Avoid aspirin and other NSAIDs. If you must take them, do so on a full stomach.
  • Antacids may relieve indigestion. Stronger medications are available over-the-counter, such as ranitidine (Zantac) and omeprazole (Prilosec OTC). Your doctor may prescribe similar medications in higher doses or for longer periods of time than over-the-counter drugs recommend.

When to contact a medical professional

Seek immediate medical help if your symptoms include jaw pain, chest pain, back pain, profuse sweating, anxiety, or a feeling of impending doom. These are possible heart attack symptoms.

Call your health care provider if:

  • Indigestion symptoms change noticeably
  • Symptoms last longer than a few days
  • You have unexplained weight loss
  • You have sudden, severe abdominal pain
  • You have trouble swallowing
  • You have yellow coloring of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
  • You vomit blood or pass blood in the stool

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

Your doctor will perform a physical examination, paying special attention to the stomach area and digestive tract. You will be asked questions about your symptoms, including:

  • Does the discomfort begin or get worse after eating particular foods?
  • Does it begin or get worse after drinking alcoholic or carbonated drinks?
  • Do you eat fast?
  • Have you been overeating?
  • Have you changed your diet?
  • Have you had any spicy, high-fiber, or fatty foods?
  • Do you drink a lot of caffeinated beverages (tea, soda, coffee)?
  • What medications are you taking?
  • Have you changed medications recently?
  • What other symptoms do you have? For example, stomach pain or vomiting.

The following tests may be performed:

References

Content provided by:

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch). The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2008 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Review Date: 1/28/2009

Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and George F Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Indigestion Videos

Indigestion Articles

  • Home Remedies for Bloating and Indigestion

    ...y store. Home remedies for bloating and indigestion are an effective and affordable way to treat digestive symptoms. If the symptoms progress, be sure to see a physician.

  • 3 Ways to Treat Indigestion

    ... presence in the stomach does not cause indigestion. That being said, it naturally follows that, since indigestion is caused by factors other than acid, antacids offer little-to-no help in elim...

  • Natural Ways to Cure Acid Indigestion

    Acid indigestion is a condition that occurs when there is an overabundance of acid in the stomach. Pain can be felt in the upper abdominal and chest area and there can be a reflux of acid that back...

  • 4 Ways to Understand the Difference Between Heartburn and Indigestion

    The main symptom of heartburn is a burning pain in the chest, just under the breastbone. Heartburn caused by acid reflux may be accompanied by other symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, coughin...

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Images provided by Google

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Conversations On Indigestion

  • indigestion


    • Posted On July 7, 2008 05:11:55 AM

      ...or 5 times a year I get such incredible indigestion that travels to my back and takes my breath away. (When it first started happening I thought it was a heart attack) I have been getting this f... Read More

    • Posted On July 15, 2008 12:39:01 PM

      ...st pushed my organs up and caused awful indigestion. Some things to try: don't consume alcohol, coffee, cola, chocolate or fatty foods after dinner. All can contribute to indigestion/acid reflux... Read More

  • why do I get such bad indigestion with protein filled foods.


    • Posted On January 11, 2009 02:31:32 AM

      ...high amount of protein I get really bad indigestion, or I get a stomach ache. Especially almonds. Meats arent too bad, but I tried protein shakes and they are awful for me. Anybody have any i... Read More

    • Posted On January 11, 2009 08:34:41 AM

      ... of gas. The protein shake made me have indigestion first too but wait about a week and it should get better. Read More

  • Indigestion


    • Posted On July 6, 2008 08:33:32 PM

      ...or 5 times a year I get such incredible indigestion that travels to my back and takes my breath away. (When it first started happening I thought it was a heart attack) I have been getting this... Read More

    • Posted On July 21, 2008 11:14:31 AM

      ...have to take TUMS, Mylanta, or any acid indigestion medicine. I just stay away from any sauces with tomato, alcohol, fried foods, caffeine and eat as organically as possible. Of course, after ... Read More

  • information on heartburn medicine


    • Posted On March 10, 2009 06:22:54 AM

      ...as done wonders to reduce any heartburn/indigestion that I've had. Plus, cutting out sodas altogether has been a great help too. Whenever I have a day, like today actually, that I have a greas... Read More

    • Posted On March 9, 2009 10:57:02 PM

      [color=#FF0000:24swoo6f]Mod Edit: No Spammage Read More

  • eat before or after morning workout?


    • Posted On May 23, 2008 08:18:15 AM

      ...ing person?) but if I eat before I get indigestion. I don't have time to eat and then wait like 30 minutes to an hour because I have to be at work at 9. Is it bad for you if you don't eat bef... Read More

    • Posted On May 23, 2008 07:25:50 PM

      ...ing person?) but if I eat before I get indigestion. I don't have time to eat and then wait like 30 minutes to an hour because I have to be at work at 9. Is it bad for you if you don't eat bef... Read More

  • Chest Pain


    • Posted On August 10, 2008 07:10:15 PM

      Maybe it's just indigestion. I'd at least run it by the doctor to make sure. Read More

    • Posted On August 5, 2008 07:40:51 PM

      Hi. I usually eat a pretty low fat diet. It's not really intentional, it just kinda happens. Anyway, today I splurged and made some not-so-unfatty chocolate chip cookies. I had a few and my chest h... Read More

Show More

Indigestion Blogs

Playing It Safe At Turnberry

Amazing what they have in the players' locker room at The Open nowadays. At Turnberry, the field were treated to Colgate toothpaste, BiSiDol indigestion tablets, Nivea deodorant, Smint, Mates condoms and Anadin Extra...

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