Indigestion and an upset stomach: what to know

An upset stomach is a broad description rather than a diagnosis. Indigestion can feel like burning, pressure or uncomfortable fullness in the upper abdomen, while nausea may occur with or without vomiting. A rich meal, alcohol, stress, infection, constipation or a medicine that irritates the stomach can be involved. Acid reflux and gastritis are other possible explanations, and symptoms can overlap between conditions.

Describe whether the discomfort follows meals, whether it improves after a bowel movement, and whether you have fever, diarrhoea or pain in a particular area. A clinician may consider gallstones, peptic ulcer disease, Helicobacter pylori infection or a hiatus hernia when the history suggests them.

Choose small, plain meals while your stomach feels unsettled and sip fluids regularly. Eat slowly, avoid alcohol and fizzy drinks for now, and pause foods that clearly worsen symptoms. Rest upright after eating rather than lying flat. If nausea is present, small frequent sips may be easier than a large drink.

Ask a pharmacist about suitable short-term indigestion relief, especially if you take other medicines, are pregnant or have kidney, liver or heart problems. Acid reflux medication can help when reflux features are present, but repeated need for it should lead to a medical review.

Contact a clinician if the upset stomach persists, returns often, limits food or fluids, or comes with ongoing tiredness or weight loss. Seek urgent care for severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, vomit containing blood, black stools, fainting, high fever, yellow skin, chest pain or breathing difficulty. Difficulty swallowing should be assessed promptly.

Which causes fit my timing and symptoms? Could a medicine or infection be irritating my stomach? Would Helicobacter pylori testing be appropriate? How long should I try self-care, and which warning signs need same-day help?