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Indigestion

Condition Overview:

Indigestion is the term used to describe pain and discomfort in the upper abdomen or chest that can develop after a meal. The medical term for it is dyspepsia. Sometimes a burning feeling is felt in the chest, and this is known as heartburn. Most people have suffered from indigestion after a large meal at some time, and up to 20% of people suffer from heartburn at least once a week.

The main symptoms of indigestion are:

• Pain, which may be in the upper part of the abdomen or the chest. This may not always be related to eating.
• Heartburn, a burning pain caused by reflux (regurgitation) of the stomach's contents back up the oesophagus (gullet). The medical term for the condition is gastrooesophageal reflux (GORD). The pain is normally felt in the centre of the chest or behind the sternum (breastbone). If severe, it can be hard to distinguish from a heart attack.
• Loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.
• Flatulence, burping or belching.

Indigestion has several causes. Depending on the cause, the symptoms may occur for a short time only, they may return intermittently, or they may be regular and prolonged.

There are certain indigestion symptoms that could be associated with a serious underlying condition such as an ulcer (see the separate BUPA factsheet on stomach ulcers) or occasionally cancer. Anyone experiencing any of the following symptoms in addition to indigestion should get advice from their GP:

• unintended weight loss,
• new symptoms in anyone over 45 years old who has not previously suffered any indigestion problems,
• severe pain.

Urgent medical treatment is needed for anyone who experiences the following symptoms:

• vomiting with specks of blood or blood that looks like coffee-grounds,
• vomiting fresh, red blood.

The main symptoms of indigestion are:

• Pain, which may be in the upper part of the abdomen or the chest. This may not always be related to eating.
• Heartburn, a burning pain caused by reflux (regurgitation) of the stomach's contents back up the oesophagus (gullet). The medical term for the condition is gastrooesophageal reflux (GORD). The pain is normally felt in the centre of the chest or behind the sternum (breastbone). If severe, it can be hard to distinguish from a heart attack.
• Loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.
• Flatulence, burping or belching.

Indigestion has several causes. Depending on the cause, the symptoms may occur for a short time only, they may return intermittently, or they may be regular and prolonged.

There are certain indigestion symptoms that could be associated with a serious underlying condition such as an ulcer (see the separate BUPA factsheet on stomach ulcers) or occasionally cancer. Anyone experiencing any of the following symptoms in addition to indigestion should get advice from their GP:

• unintended weight loss,
• new symptoms in anyone over 45 years old who has not previously suffered any indigestion problems,
• severe pain.

Urgent medical treatment is needed for anyone who experiences the following symptoms:

• vomiting with specks of blood or blood that looks like coffee-grounds,
• vomiting fresh, red blood.

A number of lifestyle changes may reduce the symptoms of indigestion. These include:

• dietary changes, such as reducing intake of fatty foods, tea, coffee and alcohol, and eating small regular meals,
• stop smoking,
• sleeping propped up on a pillow,
• reducing stress wherever possible.

For heartburn symptoms that occur at night, it may help to sleep in a slightly more upright position, because the action of gravity reduces reflux.

To help prevent indigestion, the best advice is to eat regular meals and a balanced diet. Smoking and excessive drinking should be avoided, and a healthy weight maintained.