Home remedies for indigestion

Indigestion, also called dyspepsia, can feel like upper-abdominal discomfort, early fullness, bloating, nausea, or burning. It may follow a large or rich meal, alcohol, smoking, stress, or medicines that irritate the stomach. Recurrent symptoms can also occur with [Acid Reflux](/conditions/acid-reflux/), [Gastritis](/conditions/gastritis/), [Peptic Ulcer](/conditions/peptic-ulcer/), [Helicobacter Pylori Infection](/conditions/helicobacter-pylori-infection/), gallstones, or a hiatus hernia. The symptom does not by itself identify one cause.

Eat slowly, choose smaller portions, and remain upright after eating rather than lying down straight away. Keep a brief food and symptom diary to identify triggers such as spicy or fatty foods, coffee, or late meals. Avoid smoking and limit alcohol. Check with a pharmacist before using an antacid or acid-reducing product, particularly if you take other medicines, are pregnant, or have kidney problems. [Acid Reflux Medication](/treatments/medical-management/acid-reflux-medication/) may help some patterns but is not suitable for every cause.

Book a medical review when indigestion keeps returning, lasts despite sensible changes, or is accompanied by difficulty swallowing, repeated vomiting, loss of appetite, or unexplained weight change. Seek urgent care for vomiting blood, black stools, severe or worsening abdominal pain, fainting, or chest pressure with sweating or breathlessness. These features can signal a problem needing prompt examination rather than home treatment.

Ask which triggers or medicines could be contributing, whether you need testing for an underlying stomach problem, and how long a self-care trial should last. Bring a list of medicines and the times symptoms occur.