How can you ease indigestion quickly?

Indigestion, or dyspepsia, can cause upper-abdominal fullness, burning, belching, nausea or discomfort after eating. It may follow a large meal, alcohol, smoking, stress or medicines that irritate the stomach. Acid reflux, gastritis, gallstones, a hiatus hernia, peptic ulcer or Helicobacter Pylori Infection can also cause similar symptoms, so repeated episodes deserve a proper history.

Pause eating briefly if food worsens the discomfort, then choose small, plain meals when you feel ready. Sip fluids, eat slowly and remain upright after meals. Avoid alcohol, smoking and any food that reliably triggers symptoms. Check with a pharmacist before using an antacid or Acid Reflux Medication, especially if you take other medicines, are pregnant or have kidney problems. Do not take someone else’s prescription.

Seek urgent help for chest pressure, breathlessness, sweating, faintness, pain spreading to the arm or jaw, vomiting blood, black stools, severe or worsening abdominal pain, jaundice or repeated vomiting. Arrange a clinical review when indigestion keeps returning, affects eating, causes difficulty swallowing or comes with unexplained weight loss.

Ask whether your symptoms fit Indigestion or another condition, whether your medicines could irritate the stomach, whether testing is needed, and which short-term treatment is suitable for you.