What should you know about easing indigestion?

Indigestion, also called dyspepsia, may cause upper-abdominal discomfort, early fullness, bloating, belching, nausea, or burning after food. It can follow a large or rich meal, alcohol, smoking, stress, or medicines that irritate the stomach. Recurrent symptoms can also occur with Acid Reflux, Gastritis, a hiatus hernia, an ulcer, gallstones, or Helicobacter Pylori Infection. These possibilities cannot be distinguished by symptoms alone.

Try eating slowly and choosing smaller portions. Notice whether fatty, spicy, acidic, caffeinated, or alcoholic drinks worsen your symptoms, and reduce only the triggers that affect you. Remain upright after meals, avoid tight clothing around the abdomen, and avoid eating close to bedtime. A pharmacist or clinician can explain whether an antacid or Acid Reflux Medication is suitable; do not stop a prescribed medicine without advice.

Arrange a medical review if indigestion keeps returning, lasts despite self-care, or comes with trouble swallowing, repeated vomiting, unintentional weight loss, black stools, or yellowing of the skin or eyes. Seek urgent help for severe or sudden abdominal pain, vomiting blood, fainting, or chest pain, especially with breathlessness, sweating, or pain spreading to the arm or jaw.

Could my symptoms be related to reflux, an ulcer, Helicobacter Pylori Infection, or another cause? Which medicines and foods should I avoid? Do I need testing if symptoms recur?