Description

Indigestion, also called dyspepsia or indigestion — is a discomfort in the upper part of your abdomen. Indigestion is described certain symptoms, such as stomach pain, and a feeling of fullness soon after you start eating, instead of a specific disease. Indigestion can also be a symptom of other digestive disorders.

Although indigestion is common, each person may experience indigestion in a slightly different way. Symptoms of indigestion may be felt occasionally or as often as every day.

Indigestion can often be relieved with lifestyle changes and medicines.

Symptoms

If you have indigestion, you may have:

  • Principles of fullness during a meal. You haven't eaten a large part of their food, but you already feel full and you may not be able to stop eating.
  • Uncomfortable feeling of fullness after a meal. The feeling of satiety lasts longer than it should.
  • Discomfort in the upper abdomen. You feel a mild to severe pain in the area between the lower part of the breastbone and the navel.
  • Burning in the upper part of the abdomen. You feel an uncomfortable heat or burning sensation between the lower part of the breastbone and the navel.
  • Swelling in the upper part of the abdomen. To feel an uncomfortable feeling of tightness in the upper part of your abdomen.
  • Nausea. You feel as if the urge to vomit.

Less common symptoms include vomiting and belching.

Sometimes people with indigestion also the experience of the acidity. Heartburn is a pain or burning sensation in the center of the chest that may spread to your neck or back during or after eating.

When to see a doctor

Mild indigestion is usually nothing to worry about. Consult your health care provider if the discomfort lasts more than two weeks.

Contact your doctor right away if the pain is severe or accompanied by:

  • Unintentional weight loss or loss of appetite.
  • Repeated vomiting or vomiting blood.
  • Black, tarry looking stools.
  • Difficulty swallowing that gets worse.
  • Fatigue or weakness, which may be signs of anemia.

Seek medical attention right away if you have:

  • Shortness of breath, sweating, or chest pain that radiates to the jaw, neck, or arm.
  • Pain in the chest when you are active or stressed.

Causes

Indigestion has many possible causes. Often, the indigestion is related to the lifestyle and can be triggered by food, drink or medicine. Common causes of indigestion are:

  • Overeating or eating too fast.
  • Fatty, greasy or spicy.
  • Excess caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, or carbonated beverages.
  • The habit of smoking.
  • Anxiety.
  • Certain antibiotics, analgesics, and iron supplements.

A condition known as functional or nonulcer dyspepsia, which is related to the irritable bowel syndrome, is a very common cause of indigestion.

Sometimes indigestion is caused by other conditions, including:

  • The inflammation of the stomach, called gastritis.
  • Peptic ulcers.
  • The celiac disease.
  • Gallstones.
  • The constipation.
  • Inflammation of the pancreas, called pancreatitis.
  • Cancer of the stomach.
  • Intestinal Obstruction.
  • The reduction of blood flow in the intestine, called intestinal ischemia.
  • Diabetes.
  • Disease of the thyroid.
  • Pregnancy.

Complications

Although indigestion does not usually have serious complications, which can affect your quality of life by making you feel uncomfortable and causing you to eat less. You may miss work or school because of their symptoms.

Diagnosis

Your health care provider is likely to start with a medical history and a complete physical examination. Such evaluations can be sufficient if the indigestion is mild and you are not experiencing certain symptoms, such as weight loss and repeated vomiting.

But if your indigestion suddenly started, and you are experiencing severe symptoms or older than 55 years of age, your doctor may recommend:

  • Lab tests to check for anemia or other metabolic disorders.
  • The breath and stool tests, to check the infection by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), the bacteria associated with peptic ulcers, which can cause indigestion.
  • Endoscopy, to check if there are problems in the upper part of the digestive tract, especially in older people with symptoms that do not go away. A sample of tissue, called a biopsy, may be taken for the analysis.
  • The imaging tests (X-ray or CT scan, to check for intestinal obstruction, or some other problem.

Treatment

Lifestyle changes can help relieve indigestion. Your health care provider may recommend:

  • Avoid foods that trigger the symptoms of indigestion.
  • Eat five or six small meals a day instead of three large meals.
  • Reduce or eliminate the use of alcohol and caffeine.
  • Avoid certain pain relievers, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve).
  • The search for alternatives to the drugs that can cause indigestion.
  • Controlling stress and anxiety.

If the indigestion is not going to disappear, medications can help. Nonprescription antacids are usually the first option. Other options include:

  • Proton pump inhibitors (Ppis), which can reduce the acid in the stomach. The ibp can be recommended particularly if you experience heartburn, along with the indigestion.
  • H-2-receptor blockers, can also reduce the stomach acid.
  • Prokinetics, which can be helpful if your stomach is slow to empty.
  • Antibiotics, which can be helpful if H. pylori bacteria are the cause of your indigestion.
  • Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications, which can relieve the discomfort of indigestion by reducing their sensation of pain.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Mild indigestion can often be relieved with lifestyle changes, including:

  • Eat smaller, more frequent meals. Chew food slowly and thoroughly.
  • Not eating certain foods. Fatty and spicy foods, processed foods, carbonated drinks, caffeine, alcohol and smoking can lead to indigestion.
  • Maintain a healthy weight. Excess pounds put pressure on your abdomen, pushing up your stomach and causing acid to back up into the esophagus.
  • Exercising on a regular basis. The exercise helps to keep weight gain, and promotes better digestion.
  • Stress management. Create a calm environment at the time of eating. The practice of relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation or yoga. Spend time doing the things you enjoy. Get enough sleep.
  • Change medications. With your health care provider's approval, to stop or decrease pain relievers or other medications that can irritate the lining of the stomach. If that's not an option, make sure to take these medications with food.

Alternative medicine

Alternative and complementary treatments have been used for many years to relieve indigestion, although their effectiveness varies from person to person. These treatments include:

  • Herbal therapies, including the plain of mint, or a combination of the mint and cumin oils and the Japanese herbal formula rikkunshito.
  • STW 5 (Iberogast), a liquid supplement that contains extracts of nine herbs, can work by reducing the production of gastric acid.
  • Acupuncture, which may work by blocking the pathways of the nerves that transmit pain sensations to the brain.
  • Psychological treatment, including behavior modification, relaxation techniques, cognitive-behavioral therapy and hypnotherapy, it is often very useful.

Always consult with your health care provider before taking any supplement to be sure that you are taking a safe dose. This is also important to make sure that the supplement does not react with other medications you are taking.

Preparing for your appointment

It is likely to start by seeing your primary care physician, or you may be referred to a provider who specializes in diseases of the digestive system, called a gastroenterologist. Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment and know what to expect.

What you can do

  • Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions, such as not eating solid foods on the day before your appointment.
  • Write down your symptoms, including when they started and how they may have changed or worsened with time.
  • Bring a list of all your medications, vitamins or supplements.
  • Write down your key medical information, including other conditions diagnosed.
  • Write down key personal information, including any recent changes or stressors in your life, as well as a detailed description of your typical daily diet.
  • Write questions during your appointment.

Some basic questions to ask include:

  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • Do you think my condition is temporary or chronic?
  • What kinds of tests do I need?
  • What treatments can help?
  • Are there restrictions in the diet should I follow?
  • Could any of my medication to be the cause of my symptoms?

In addition to the questions you have prepared, do not hesitate to ask questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Be prepared to answer questions to your provider may ask:

  • When did you first begin to experience the symptoms, and how severe are they?
  • The symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve or worsen your symptoms?
  • What medications and pain relievers do you take?
  • What do you eat and drink, including alcohol, in a typical day?
  • How do you feel emotionally?
  • Do you use tobacco? If so, do you smoke, chew, or both?
  • Are your symptoms better or worse on an empty stomach?
  • Have you vomiting blood or black material?
  • Have you had any changes in your bowel habits, including the stool to become black?
  • Have you lost weight?
  • Have you had nausea or vomiting, or both?
Symptoms and treatment of Indigestion