Treatment for indigestion and gas

Indigestion may feel like upper-abdominal discomfort, fullness, burning, belching or nausea. Gas can cause bloating, rumbling and passing wind. They may follow large or rich meals, eating quickly, fizzy drinks, constipation or swallowing air. Acid reflux, gastritis, gallstones, a hiatus hernia, a peptic ulcer or Helicobacter pylori infection can also contribute. These symptoms do not identify one cause by themselves.

Try smaller meals, eat slowly and remain upright after eating. Notice whether fatty foods, spicy foods, coffee, fizzy drinks or foods that trigger wind worsen symptoms, then reduce the relevant trigger without unnecessarily restricting your diet. Gentle movement may help gas pass, and avoiding smoking can reduce irritation. A pharmacist or clinician may suggest an antacid, an alginate, an acid-reducing medicine or a product for trapped wind. Use medicines according to their label and check before taking them if you are pregnant, have other conditions or use regular medicines. Acid reflux medication may be relevant when burning or regurgitation is prominent.

Arrange a medical review if symptoms keep returning, do not settle with self-care, or are accompanied by unintentional weight loss, repeated vomiting, difficulty swallowing, black stools or blood. Seek urgent help for severe or rapidly worsening abdominal pain, chest pressure, faintness, breathing difficulty or vomiting blood. A clinician can examine you and decide whether testing for an underlying problem is needed.

Ask what may be causing the pattern, whether your medicines could be contributing, how long to try an acid-reducing treatment, and which warning symptoms should prompt urgent care. Bring a note of meals, medicines, bowel changes and when discomfort occurs.