How to stop indigestion

Indigestion, also called dyspepsia, can feel like upper-abdominal discomfort, early fullness, bloating, belching, nausea, or burning after food. Rich meals, eating quickly, alcohol, smoking, stress, and some medicines can aggravate it. Recurrent symptoms may occur with acid reflux, gastritis, a hiatus hernia, gallstones, Helicobacter pylori infection, or a peptic ulcer; indigestion itself does not identify one cause.

Try slower eating and smaller portions. Notice whether fatty or spicy foods, coffee, fizzy drinks, or late meals bring symptoms on, then reduce the triggers that affect you. Remain upright after eating and avoid tight clothing around the abdomen. A pharmacist can explain whether an antacid or acid reflux medication is suitable, especially if you take other medicines or have a long-term condition. Keep a short record of meals, symptoms, and timing if the problem keeps returning.

Arrange a medical review if indigestion keeps returning, does not settle, or is accompanied by repeated vomiting, difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, black stools, or marked tiredness. Seek urgent help for chest pressure, trouble breathing, fainting, sweating, or pain spreading to the arm, jaw, or back, because these can signal a problem outside the digestive system.

Ask what may be causing the pattern, whether testing for Helicobacter pylori is appropriate, and which medicines could worsen it. Bring your symptom record and a list of prescribed, over-the-counter, and herbal products.