Dont Get Upset About Indigestion

Overview

Indigestion (doctors also call it dyspepsia) is a feeling of discomfort or pain in the upper part of your tummy, usually around or just below your breastbone. It often shows up during or soon after eating. It is not a disease on its own — it is a group of symptoms that can have many different causes. People often mix it up with heartburn, which is a burning feeling rising from the stomach into the chest. The two often happen together, but they are not the same thing.

Yes, very common. Most adults get indigestion at some point, and it is one of the most frequent reasons people visit their family doctor. For many people it comes and goes in short spells.

Anyone can get indigestion, but it is more common in adults than in children. It tends to be more frequent in people who eat large or rich meals, drink a lot of alcohol or caffeine, smoke, carry extra weight around the middle, or are going through a stressful time. Pregnant women often get it, especially in the later months, and older adults may notice it more often because they are more likely to take regular medicines.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• A dull ache, gnawing or burning feeling in the upper tummy
• Feeling uncomfortably full very soon after starting a meal
• Bloating or a tight, stretched feeling in the upper belly
• Burping and passing wind more than usual
• Feeling sick, or sometimes being sick
• A sour taste in the mouth or bringing up a little food or acid
• Gurgling or noisy stomach

Symptoms in children

• Tummy pain that comes and goes, often around the belly button
• Complaining of feeling full quickly or not wanting to finish meals
• Burping, hiccups or a sour taste
• In babies, frequent spitting up after feeds and being unsettled
• Children often cannot describe the feeling well, so watch for changes in eating, sleeping or mood
• See a doctor if a child is not growing well, keeps vomiting, has pain that wakes them at night, or has blood in their sick or poo

Symptoms in older adults

• Symptoms can be milder or vaguer than in younger people, so they are easier to overlook
• New indigestion in anyone over about 55 deserves a check-up, even if it seems mild
• Medicines taken for other conditions are a common trigger, so bring a list to your appointment
• Watch for tiredness, pale skin or breathlessness, which can be signs of slow blood loss from the stomach

Causes

Main causes

• Eating large, rich, fatty or spicy meals, or eating very quickly
• Drinking a lot of alcohol, coffee, tea or fizzy drinks
• Smoking
• Lying down or bending over soon after eating
• Acid from the stomach splashing back up into the food pipe (acid reflux)
• Inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis) or a stomach ulcer
• A common stomach bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), which can irritate the stomach lining
• Certain medicines, especially some painkillers and some antibiotics — never stop a prescribed medicine without asking your doctor first
• Stress and anxiety, which do not damage the stomach but can make symptoms feel worse
• Being overweight, which puts pressure on the stomach
• In some people, a hiatus hernia — where part of the stomach pushes up through the muscle that separates the chest from the tummy

Risk factors

• Being over 55 and having new symptoms
• Carrying extra weight, especially around the middle
• Smoking or drinking a lot of alcohol
• Taking regular painkillers or other long-term medicines
• High stress levels or living with anxiety
• Pregnancy
• A family history of stomach ulcers or stomach problems
• Eating late at night or going to bed soon after a big meal

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• Trouble swallowing, or food feeling stuck
• Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
• Black, tarry poo
• Weight loss you did not plan
• Persistent vomiting or a fever with tummy pain
• New indigestion over the age of about 55

Book a routine appointment if:

• Symptoms that keep coming back for more than a few weeks
• Symptoms that are getting worse or not helped by simple changes
• Indigestion that is affecting your sleep, work or appetite
• Symptoms that started after you began a new medicine
• Pain that sometimes wakes you at night

Diagnosis

Your doctor will usually start by talking to you. They will ask what the discomfort feels like, when it happens, what makes it better or worse, and how it affects your eating and sleep. They may ask about your stress levels and look at the list of medicines you take, because some can cause or worsen indigestion. They may gently press on your tummy, which takes only a few seconds. Often no tests are needed at all — a chat and an examination is enough.

Tests that may be done

• A breathing or stool test for the stomach bacteria H. pylori, if your doctor thinks it may be a factor
• Blood tests to check for anaemia (low iron) or other causes
• A stool test if there is any concern about bleeding
• A tube test called an endoscopy, where a small camera looks down your food pipe and into your stomach — this is only offered if there are warning signs, if symptoms do not settle, or if you are in an older age group
• A test for a heart cause if your pain could be coming from the heart rather than the stomach

What to expect at your appointment

Usually you will talk through your symptoms, be examined, and be given advice to try for a few weeks. If things do not improve, or if anything in your history is a red flag, you may be referred for tests. An endoscopy sounds daunting but is quick — you are usually offered a sedative or throat spray to keep you comfortable, and you can go home the same day.

Treatment

Most indigestion gets better with a mix of small daily changes and, where needed, treatment from your doctor. The aim is to ease symptoms, find and treat any underlying cause such as an ulcer or a stomach infection, and help you eat and sleep comfortably again. Your doctor will work with you to find what suits you, and it may take a little trial and error.

Self-care at home

• Eat smaller meals more often rather than one large meal
• Take your time eating and chew properly
• Cut back on very fatty, fried or spicy foods, and notice which foods seem to set off your symptoms
• Reduce alcohol, coffee, tea and fizzy drinks
• If you smoke, stopping is one of the most helpful things you can do — ask your doctor or pharmacist for support
• Leave about three hours between your last meal and bedtime, and try not to lie down soon after eating
• Raise the head of your bed slightly, or use an extra pillow, if night symptoms are a problem
• Try to keep to a healthy weight
• Find ways to unwind — gentle walking, breathing exercises or talking things through with someone

Medical treatments

Treatment depends on what is causing your symptoms. If a stomach infection or an ulcer is found, your doctor may prescribe a course of treatment to clear it. For acid-related symptoms, doctors commonly prescribe medicines that reduce the amount of acid the stomach makes — these are prescribed after a conversation about your history and other medicines. Some people find short-term over-the-counter remedies helpful; always check with your pharmacist first, especially if you take other medicines, are pregnant, or have kidney, heart or liver problems. Never borrow someone else's prescription or stop a prescribed medicine without advice.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is very rarely needed for indigestion. It may occasionally be considered if someone has a severe problem with the valve at the top of the stomach, or a hiatus hernia causing ongoing trouble that has not responded to other treatment. This is a specialist decision and only comes up in a small number of cases.

Living with this condition

Indigestion is usually something you can manage yourself day to day. Keep a simple note of what you ate and how you felt — many people spot a pattern within a week or two. Carry whatever helps you feel comfortable, and be kind to yourself on days when symptoms flare up. If something changes or gets worse, get it checked rather than putting up with it.

Lifestyle tips

• Keep a food and symptom diary for a couple of weeks to spot your triggers
• Plan meals so you are not eating late at night
• Swap some of your coffees or colas for water
• Build gentle movement into your day, which also helps with stress and weight
• Cut down gradually on alcohol rather than all at once, to make it stick
• Try to keep regular meal and sleep times

Diet and exercise

There is no single indigestion diet that works for everyone. The general idea is to eat regular, moderate-sized meals, go easy on very fatty, fried and spicy food, and notice what makes you feel worse. Fibre-rich foods, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein suit most people. Gentle regular activity — walking, cycling, swimming, or whatever you enjoy — helps with weight, digestion and stress. You do not need to be an athlete; even a 20-minute walk most days makes a difference.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Ongoing tummy trouble can wear you down. It can make you worry about eating out, interrupt your sleep and affect your mood, and stress and anxiety can in turn make symptoms feel stronger. That is a real and common cycle, not something you are imagining. If low mood, worry or constant focus on your symptoms is affecting your daily life, tell your doctor — support such as talking therapies is available and often helps both the mind and the stomach. If you ever have thoughts of harming yourself, contact your local emergency number or a crisis line straight away.

Prevention

You cannot prevent every case, but you can lower your chances a lot. Eating smaller, slower meals, limiting alcohol and caffeine, not smoking, staying a healthy weight, and giving yourself time to relax between meals all help. If a medicine seems to be triggering symptoms, ask your doctor or pharmacist to review it rather than stopping it yourself.

Screening programmes

There is no routine screening test for indigestion. However, if you have ongoing symptoms, are in an older age group, or have any warning signs, your doctor may recommend tests such as a check for the stomach bacteria H. pylori or an endoscopy. These are arranged based on your individual situation, not as a national screening programme.

Complications

If left untreated

• Ongoing discomfort that affects eating, sleep and quality of life
• Inflammation of the food pipe (oesophagitis) from repeated acid exposure
• A narrowing of the food pipe, which can make swallowing difficult
• A stomach ulcer, which can bleed — this is uncommon but needs prompt treatment
• Rarely, long-standing acid damage can cause changes in the lining of the food pipe, which doctors monitor
• Avoiding foods or social situations because of worry about symptoms

Long-term outlook

The outlook is good for the great majority of people. Most cases settle with simple changes, and when a cause such as an infection or ulcer is found, it can usually be treated effectively. Serious problems are uncommon, and warning signs are well known to doctors — which is exactly why a quick check is worthwhile if something feels different. With a little attention and the right support, most people get back to eating and living comfortably.

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