What is good for indigestion?

Indigestion, also called dyspepsia, can cause upper abdominal discomfort, early fullness, bloating, belching, nausea, or a burning sensation after eating. It may follow a large meal, alcohol, smoking, stress, or medicines that irritate the stomach. Heartburn can occur at the same time but is a separate burning sensation that rises towards the chest or throat.

Ongoing indigestion can be associated with acid reflux, gastritis, gallstones, Helicobacter pylori infection, hiatus hernia, or peptic ulcer. These possibilities cannot be identified from one symptom alone, so the pattern and accompanying symptoms matter.

Take time over meals, chew thoroughly, and try smaller portions. Keep a simple record of foods, drinks, medicines, and situations that bring symptoms on. Avoid lying flat soon after eating, and reduce foods that clearly worsen your discomfort. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without discussing it with the prescriber.

A pharmacist can explain whether an antacid or acid reflux medication is appropriate for your symptoms and other medicines. Repeatedly treating symptoms without checking the cause may delay useful assessment, especially when the problem keeps returning.

Book a clinical review if indigestion lasts, keeps returning, affects eating, or comes with unexplained weight change, persistent vomiting, difficulty swallowing, or anaemia symptoms such as unusual tiredness. Seek urgent care for severe or sudden abdominal pain, chest pressure, breathing difficulty, vomiting blood, black stools, fainting, or a rigid or very tender abdomen.

Ask whether your symptoms fit indigestion or reflux, whether a medicine could be irritating your stomach, and whether testing for Helicobacter pylori is appropriate. Bring a list of medicines and note the timing of symptoms in relation to meals.