Indigestion

Symptoms

Symptoms of indigestion may include:

• Early fullness during a meal or not being able to finish a typical meal.
• Uncomfortable fullness that lasts longer than it should after a meal.
• Mild to severe pain in the upper abdomen, which is the area between the bottom of your breastbone and your belly button.
• Burning sensation in the upper abdomen.
• Bloating that feels like swelling or tightness in the upper abdomen.
• Feeling the need to vomit or vomiting.
• Burping or burping up food.

Sometimes people with indigestion also experience heartburn. Heartburn is a pain or burning feeling in the center of your chest during or after eating. The pain or burning feeling may radiate into your neck or back.

When to see a doctor

Mild indigestion usually is nothing to worry about. Talk with your healthcare professional if symptoms of indigestion last more than two weeks.

Get care as soon as possible if you have indigestion and these symptoms:

• Severe or constant belly pain.
• Unintended weight loss or loss of appetite.
• Repeated vomiting or vomiting with blood.
• Black, tarry stools.
• Trouble with swallowing.
• Fatigue or weakness.
• A yellowing of the skin or eyes, also called jaundice.

Get emergency care if you have indigestion-like symptoms that may be symptoms of a heart attack:

• Shortness of breath, sweating, or chest pain radiating to the jaw, neck or arm.
• Chest pain when you're active or stressed.

Risk factors

Several factors can make it more likely for you to have symptoms even though they don't always cause indigestion:

• Eating too fast, overeating, or eating spicy, fatty, acidic or greasy foods.
• Too many alcoholic, caffeinated or carbonated drinks.
• Depression, anxiety or trauma.
• Smoking or using other tobacco products.
• Pregnancy-related hormones and pressure on the digestive system during pregnancy.
• Carrying extra weight, particularly around the belly.

Diagnosis

To diagnose indigestion, your healthcare professional asks you about your symptoms, recent meals, eating habits, medical history, life stresses, exposure to anyone who's ill and other questions. Your answers help your health professional understand the possible factors linked to your symptoms.

You also have a thorough medical exam. This includes tapping or pressing on your abdomen and listening to your abdomen with a stethoscope.

Your healthcare professional may be able to diagnose functional indigestion based on your symptoms, medical history and exam.

H. pylori test

Your healthcare professional may order a test for H. pylori bacteria. This may be done with a tissue sample from the stomach, breath test or stool sample.

Other tests

Other tests may be needed if your healthcare professional is concerned about particular symptoms or findings from your exam. You also may need more tests if the first line of treatment for indigestion does not help with symptoms. These tests may include:

• Blood tests. Lab tests of blood samples may find signs of other conditions that can cause symptoms of indigestion.
• Endoscopy. An endoscope is a tube with a camera that passes down the throat and into the digestive system. This test is called endoscopy. It can show diseased or damaged tissue. Tools used during this test also can remove a tiny sample of tissue for lab testing. This test mainly is used for adults age 50 and older who have new symptoms of indigestion.
• Imaging tests can show diseased tissues, blockage in the digestive system or other irregular findings.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Lifestyle changes that can be part of your routine may help lessen symptoms or prevent the return of symptoms:

• Avoid fatty, acidic or spicy foods. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and carbonated beverages.
• Eat five or six small meals a day instead of three large meals.
• Avoid pain medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve).
• Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight.
• Stop smoking if you smoke.
• Avoid stressors when possible.
• Practice meditation or other mindfulness exercises to help manage stress.

Preparing for an appointment

You're likely to start by seeing your primary healthcare professional. You may be referred to a doctor who specializes in digestive diseases, called a gastroenterologist. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment and know what to expect.

What you can do

• Be aware of any restrictions before your appointment, such as not eating solid food before your appointment.
• Write down your symptoms, including when they started and how they may have changed or worsened over time.
• Make a list of all your medicines, vitamins or supplements and the doses and reasons for taking each one.
• Write down your key medical information, including other diagnosed conditions.
• Write down key personal information, including any recent changes or stressors in your life. Also, include a detailed description of your typical daily diet.
• Write down questions to ask during your appointment.

Some basic questions you may wish to ask include:

• Do you think my condition is temporary or chronic?
• What kinds of tests do I need?
• What treatments can help?
• Are there any dietary restrictions that I need to follow?
• Could any of my medicines be causing my symptoms?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared, don't hesitate to ask other questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Be ready to answer questions your healthcare professional may ask, such as:

• When did your symptoms begin?
• How would you describe the pain? How would you rate it on a scale of 1 to 10?
• How often do you have symptoms? Are they constant?
• Does anything worsen symptoms? Does anything help them?
• How would you describe your diet? How many fruits and vegetables do you eat?
• How much alcohol and caffeine do you have on a typical day?
• Are you feeling depressed or anxious?
• Have you experienced any recent major stressor or life change?
• Do you use tobacco? What kind?
• Are your symptoms better or worse on an empty stomach?
• Have you vomited blood or black material?
• Have you had any changes in your bowel habits, including stools turning black?
• Have you lost weight?
• Have you felt like vomiting or vomited?