Indigestion: symptoms, causes and care

Indigestion is upper abdominal discomfort that may include fullness, burning, bloating, nausea or belching after eating.

The feeling may sit between the lower chest and the navel. Some people notice early fullness during a meal, an unpleasant taste in the mouth, or pressure that becomes more noticeable after lying down. The pattern can be occasional or recur around particular meals, drinks or medicines.

Seek urgent medical assessment for chest pressure, breathlessness, fainting, vomiting blood, black stools, severe or worsening abdominal pain, or trouble swallowing. These features need assessment because they can have causes beyond uncomplicated indigestion.

Arrange a medical appointment if symptoms persist, repeatedly disrupt eating or sleep, or come with unintentional weight loss, ongoing vomiting, anaemia symptoms such as unusual tiredness, or a new change in swallowing.

Indigestion can arise when acid or stomach contents irritate the food pipe, when the stomach lining is inflamed, or when digestion is affected by another condition. The following causes are presented alphabetically, not as a ranking of likelihood.

Acid reflux, gallstones, gastritis, Helicobacter pylori infection, hiatus hernia and peptic ulcer can all present with indigestion. A clinician considers the location of discomfort, its timing, associated symptoms and your medical history to distinguish between them.

A clinician will ask when symptoms occur, what makes them better or worse, whether medicines or supplements are involved, and whether there are warning signs. They may examine the abdomen and review conditions such as diabetes, liver disease or previous digestive problems.

Depending on the pattern, assessment may include a breath or stool test for Helicobacter pylori, blood tests, an ultrasound scan, or a camera examination of the upper digestive tract. The choice is guided by symptoms and examination findings.

Simple changes such as smaller meals, avoiding a trigger that you have identified, and remaining upright after eating may reduce symptoms. Acid-reducing medication may be considered for reflux-related symptoms; a clinician can advise on the medicine and duration that fits your situation.

Other causes need targeted care. Helicobacter pylori infection can be treated with prescribed medicines, while gallstone symptoms, ulcers or ongoing symptoms may need further investigation and a different plan. Avoid starting or stopping regular medicines without discussing this with a healthcare professional.

Keep a short note of meals, drinks, symptoms and medicines to identify patterns. Eat at a comfortable pace, avoid lying flat soon after food, and consider whether large meals, alcohol, caffeine, fatty foods or smoking worsen your own symptoms.

If anti-inflammatory pain medicines seem to aggravate your stomach, speak with a clinician or pharmacist about safer options for you. Repeated self-treatment can mask a pattern that deserves assessment.

Mention heartburn, regurgitation, bloating, nausea, appetite changes, pain that travels to the back or shoulder, bowel changes and any difficulty swallowing. These details help narrow the possible source of the discomfort.

Ongoing indigestion can affect food choices, sleep and daily comfort. Identifying the driver can help prevent repeated irritation, detect ulcers or gallbladder problems, and make treatment more specific.