What should you know about chronic indigestion causes?

Indigestion, also called dyspepsia, may feel like upper-abdominal discomfort, early fullness, bloating, nausea, or burning after eating. Acid reflux can bring stomach contents upward and may cause a sour taste or chest burning. Gastritis irritates the stomach lining, while a peptic ulcer is an open sore in the stomach or upper intestine. Helicobacter pylori infection can contribute to stomach inflammation and ulcers. A hiatus hernia can make reflux more likely, and gallstones may cause discomfort after fatty meals, particularly under the right ribs. Alcohol, smoking, stress, and some medicines can also aggravate symptoms. The symptom itself does not identify one cause, so a clinician may ask about timing, food, medicines, bowel changes, and weight change.

Keep a brief record of meals, symptoms, medicines, and whether discomfort occurs before or after eating. Try smaller meals, eat slowly, and avoid lying down soon after food. Notice whether alcohol, smoking, very fatty meals, or a particular food makes symptoms worse. Do not stop prescribed medicines without advice, but ask a pharmacist or clinician whether a medicine could irritate your stomach. Assessment may include an examination and, depending on the pattern, testing for Helicobacter pylori or another cause. Treatment is chosen for the cause; acid reflux medication may help some people when reflux is involved.

Arrange a medical appointment if indigestion keeps returning, interferes with eating or sleep, or does not settle with simple changes. Seek urgent care for vomiting blood, black stools, severe or worsening abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, trouble swallowing, fainting, or chest pain with breathlessness or sweating. Unintentional weight loss, persistent loss of appetite, or marked tiredness also warrants prompt assessment because these features need a closer review.

Which causes fit my symptom pattern? Could any of my medicines be contributing? Do I need testing for Helicobacter pylori or reflux? Which warning signs should make me seek urgent help?