Discover effective ways to relieve indigestion and promote digestive comfort. Meri Sehat offers expert guidance for a healthier stomach.

Indigestion

Overview

Indigestion or an upset stomach is pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen. It is an umbrella term for a group of gastrointestinal symptoms that occur simultaneously, usually after drinking or eating. 
&nbsp;

Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, is a common gastrointestinal condition that an individual experiences at some point in their lives.

While its global prevalence may be between 1.8% and 57%, it affects 1 in 4 people in the US every year.<a href="#accordion">[1][2]</a> Nearly 3 in 4 individuals who consult a doctor for indigestion are diagnosed with functional dyspepsia.<a href="#accordion">[2]</a> &nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Indigestion can be:<a href="#accordion">[2]</a>

<ul>
	<li>Occasional &ndash; Occurs rarely; symptoms resolve within a few minutes to several hours post-eating</li>
	<li>Chronic &ndash; Occurs regularly for some weeks or months; frequent episodes over several weeks or months, usually due to an underlying condition</li>
	<li>Functional &ndash; Presents with chronic symptoms without specific underlying cause; 75-80% of people have functional indigestion 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Sign and Symptoms

While indigestion is not always related to eating large meals, the following symptoms often appear after eating or drinking:

<ul>
	<li>Discomfort or painful burning in the upper abdomen</li>
	<li><a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/acid-reflux-infants">Acid reflux</a> or bringing up food or a bitter taste in the mouth</li>
	<li>Quickly feeling full during a meal and bloating</li>
	<li>Nausea and vomiting</li>
	<li>Belching or excessive gas</li>
</ul>

Other severe symptoms include:<a href="#accordion">[3]</a>

<ul>
	<li>Bloody or frequent vomiting</li>
	<li>Black stools</li>
	<li>Unexplained weight loss</li>
	<li>Difficulty swallowing</li>
	<li>Sweating or shortness of breath</li>
</ul>

Consult a doctor immediately in case these symptoms are present. Also, consult a healthcare professional if indigestion lasts more than 2 weeks. 
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Important!

<ul>
	<li>Back pain and stomach aches are usually not symptoms of indigestion.</li>
	<li>Sometimes, indigestion is actually a heart attack in disguise. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Causes

There are multiple causes of indigestion.

<ul>
	<li>Dietary &ndash; Eating spicy or greasy foods, chocolate, or acidic foods like tomatoes and oranges,</li>
	<li>Medications &ndash; Antibiotics, steroids, oral contraceptives, painkillers, NSAIDs, and medication for cholesterol, blood pressure, and thyroid disorder</li>
	<li>Underlying Conditions &ndash; Gastric cancer, GERD, IBS, peptic ulcers, pancreatic abnormalities, H. pylori infection, gallstones, and lactose or gluten intolerance 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Diagnosis

The doctor may review the patient&rsquo;s symptoms, medical history, and eating habits. They may then perform a physical examination to check for bloating, tenderness, lumps, and pain in the abdomen. They may also look for the yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Additionally, an upper GI endoscopy is recommended to diagnose underlying diseases like gastritis that may be causing indigestion, particularly in individuals who are 55 and older, have a family history of cancer, or present with serious symptoms of indigestion.

Further, the doctor may order a blood test, urea breath test, stool test, or other imaging scans to look for abnormalities or other metabolic disorders. 
&nbsp;

Treatment

A person with indigestion usually does not require any treatment. However, doctors may recommend the following to relieve common symptoms of indigestion:

<ul>
	<li>Certain Medications &ndash; E.g., antacids, H2 receptor antagonists, proton pump inhibitors, prokinetics, antidepressants, and antibiotics. The aim is to help the stomach move food quickly into the small intestine, kill bacteria, decrease the amount of stomach acid, and help calm the gut&rsquo;s nervous system. 
	It&rsquo;s important to mention here that these drugs may cause other side effects. Moreover, doctors may prescribe alternatives or adjust the drug dose if indigestion occurs due to some medicine.</li>
	<li>Alternative Medicine &ndash; E.g., yoga, acupuncture, cognitive behavior therapy, and herbal therapy. More research is required to validate their benefits, though. 
	Always consult a doctor before taking any supplement or trying a complementary treatment.</li>
	<li>Lifestyle &ndash; E.g., drinking water instead of soda, avoiding tight clothing, or maintaining a healthy weight to manage mild or infrequent symptoms. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

If indigestion is severe, chronic, or unresponsive to medication, it will affect the quality of life. That is, the individual eats less and may miss school or work because they don&rsquo;t feel well.

In rare instances, complications may include:

<ul>
	<li>Long-term irritation and scarring of pylorus or the passage between the small intestine and the stomach</li>
	<li>Constriction of the upper gastrointestinal tract</li>
	<li>Infection from the breakdown of the lining of the digestive system 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

These include:

<ul>
	<li>Lifestyle &ndash; Too much alcohol or caffeinated drinks, less physical activity, smoking</li>
	<li>Individual Health &ndash; Stress, anxiety, depression, obesity, and hiatus hernia</li>
	<li>Age &ndash; More common in the elderly</li>
	<li>Sex &ndash; More common in pregnant women, particularly in the last trimester, due to the position of the fetus as well as the hormonal changes. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

These include:

<ul>
	<li>Improving food habits, like eating several small meals each day instead of 3 large meals, chewing the food well, and avoiding eating too fast or lying down soon after eating</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>Reducing intake or avoiding foods that trigger indigestion, such as high-fiber or fatty foods</li>
	<li>Improving posture, like bending forward a lot during the day, wearing tight belts, or sitting hunched, puts extra pressure on the stomach</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>Getting enough rest</li>
	<li>Quitting smoking 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Key Points

<ul>
	<li>Indigestion, or dyspepsia, is pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen, usually after drinking or eating.</li>
	<li>Diagnosis includes physical examination, imaging scans, and blood tests.</li>
	<li>Medication and lifestyle changes may help prevent and manage it.</li>
</ul>

[1] Alwhaibi, A., Alghadeer, S., Bablghaith, S., Wajid, S., & Alrabiah, Z. (2020). Prevalence and severity of dyspepsia in saudi arabia: a survey-based study. Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal, 28(9), 1062-1067.