Alternate Names: Dyspepsia; Uncomfortable fullness after meals

Considerations: Indigestion is rarely a serious health problem unless accompanied by other symptoms.

Indigestion is a common problem. It may be triggered by eating particular foods or after drinking wine or carbonated drinks. It may also be caused by eating too fast or overeating. Some people may find that spicy foods, high-fiber foods, fatty foods, or too much caffeine can all aggravate this problem. Symptoms may be worsened by anxiety and depression.

Rarely, the discomfort of a heart attack is mistaken for indigestion. However, usually there are other symptoms along with the abdominal discomfort if it is actually a heart attack.

Common Causes:

• overeating
• eating too fast
• eating fatty or greasy foods
• overindulgence in alcohol
• eating spicy foods
• emotional trauma or nervousness
• acute gastritis
• chronic cholecystitis
• chronic gastritis
• chronic pancreatitis
• duodenal ulcer
• gastric ulcer
• drugs such as antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Home Care: Allow time for leisurely meals. Chew food carefully and thoroughly. Avoid conflicts during meals. Avoid excitement or exercise immediately after a meal. Avoid chewing gum (it may cause air swallowing). A calm environment and rest may help relieve stress-related dyspepsia.

Avoid aspirin and NSAIDs (use acetaminophen instead). Antacids may relieve indigestion. Avoid drugs that can cause dyspepsia. Follow prescribed therapy.

Call If:

• symptoms last longer than 2 weeks.
• the pattern of indigestion symptoms changes noticeably.
• abdominal pain persists longer than 6 hours.
• symptoms include unexplained weight loss, bleeding, or jaundice.
• symptoms include jaw pain, chest pain, back pain, profuse sweating, anxiety, or a feeling of impending doom (possible heart attack symptoms).

What To Expect: The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting indigestion in detail may include:

• aggravating factors
  • Does it begin (or is it worse) after eating particular foods?
  • Does it begin (or is it worse) after drinking wine or other alcoholic drinks or carbonated drinks?
• eating habits
  • Do you eat fast?
  • Have you been overeating?
  • Have you changed your diet? Particularly, have you had any spicy foods, high-fiber foods, or fatty foods? Have you increased your intake of caffeine?
• medications
  • What medications are you taking?
  • Have you changed medications recently?
• other symptoms
  • What other symptoms are occurring at the same time?
  • Is there abdominal pain?
  • Is there vomiting?

• blood tests (depending on the suspected cause)
• endoscopy (EGD)
• upper GI and small bowel series (with barium)
• abdominal ultrasound