What Is Indigestion?

Mark Gurarie
·8 min read
PixelsEffect / Getty Images
PixelsEffect / Getty Images

Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD

Indigestion—also known as dyspepsia—occurs when you have trouble digesting food. When you have indigestion, you may experience a variety of gastrointestinal (stomach-related) symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and discomfort after eating.

In most cases, indigestion only lasts a few days. Most people might experience symptoms if they eat too quickly, consume spicy foods, or drink excess caffeine or alcohol. However, if your indigestion is a result of an underlying condition (such as gastroesophageal reflux disease), you may have chronic (long-term) symptoms.

Depending on the cause of your indigestion, treatment options may include over-the-counter (OTC) or prescribed medications and lifestyle changes. Research estimates that about 21% of people experience indigestion. That said, learning more about indigestion and understanding when to seek medical care may help you relieve symptoms sooner.

Types of Indigestion

Experts have identified three types of indigestion—and the type that you have will depend on how often you experience symptoms, how long symptoms last, and if there is an underlying condition that is causing your symptoms to occur. Knowing what type you have can help you and your healthcare provider figure out the treatment plan that is right for you.

  • Occasional indigestion: You may have this type if you experience indigestion once in a while—usually during or after eating food. Symptoms typically resolve within a few minutes to several hours after eating.

  • Chronic indigestion: This type happens when you experience frequent episodes of indigestion over several weeks or months. Chronic indigestion typically occurs due to an underlying condition that is causing your symptoms.

  • Functional indigestion: In some cases, you may have chronic symptoms of indigestion without an unidentified cause. This is known as functional indigestion. It’s currently estimated that 75% to 80% of people with indigestion fall into this category.

Symptoms

Indigestion affects the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which includes your mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, rectum, and anus. Symptoms of indigestion can affect any of these organs. If you experience indigestion, you may notice the following symptoms:

Causes

Indigestion is not a condition on its own, but rather a symptom of a condition. Several underlying health conditions may cause indigestion, including:

  • Peptic ulcer disease: Peptic ulcers are sores that develop on the lining of your stomach and small intestine

  • Gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD): Associated with severe heartburn and acid reflux, GERD occurs when acids from your stomach regurgitate (back up) into your throat

  • Cancer: Cancers that affect the GI tract

  • Other digestive diseases: Conditions that affect your digestive system, such as pancreatitis (infection of the pancreas), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastritis (inflammation of stomach tissues), and gallstones

  • Lactose intolerance: An inability to digest lactose (a sugar found in milk products)

  • Bacterial infection: An infection of the GI tract caused by certain bacteria, such as H. pylori

Risk Factors

Aside from underlying health conditions, certain lifestyle and environmental factors may also increase your risk of developing indigestion. These include:

  • Eating too quickly

  • Overeating in one sitting

  • Consuming spicy, fatty, or high-acid foods

  • Drinking excessive alcohol or caffeine

  • Smoking tobacco

  • Taking certain medications, such as Advil (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen), and some antibiotics

  • Living with excess stress, without implementing proper stress management techniques

  • Having a family history of indigestion or digestive problems

Diagnosis

If you have frequent episodes or symptoms of indigestion, seeing a healthcare provider may help you reach a proper diagnosis and get you started on treatment sooner. During your appointment, it's standard for your provider to ask you about your personal and family medical history, lifestyle habits, and current symptoms.

Once they learn more about your overall health, your provider may perform or order the following tests to give you an accurate diagnosis:

  • Physical exam to check for hallmark indigestion symptoms such as bloating or stomach pain

  • Upper GI endoscopy (uses a tube attached to a camera to look inside your body) to check for symptoms of gastrointestinal conditions like ulcers or gastritis

  • Imaging tests such as X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scan, or ultrasound to screen for inflammation and underlying health conditions that can lead to indigestion

  • Blood tests to look for harmful bacteria that may be affecting your stomach

  • Stool (poop) sample to test for infections such as H. pylori

Treatment

If you receive a diagnosis for a health condition that is causing your symptoms or experience frequent episodes of indigestion, your healthcare provider will work with you to find a treatment plan that provides symptom relief. Generally, the goals of treatment for indigestion are to either reduce the severity of your indigestion episodes or prevent symptoms from occurring in the first place. A combination of medication and lifestyle changes are the most common treatment options.

Antibiotics

If H. pylori or another bacterial infection is causing indigestion, your provider may opt to prescribe you one or more of the following antibiotic medications:

  • Amoxil (amoxicillin)

  • Biaxin (clarithromycin)

  • Flagyl (metronidazole)

  • Sumycin (tetracycline)

  • Tindamax (tinidazole)

Proton Pump Inhibitors

If your indigestion is accompanied by heartburn, your healthcare provider may recommend proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)—which are medications that help reduce stomach acid in your digestive system. Your provider can prescribe one of the following medicines:

  • Nexium (esomeprazole)

  • Prevacid (lansoprazole)

  • Prilosec (omeprazole)

  • Protonix (pantoprazole)

  • AcipHex (rabeprazole)

Antacids

For people with functional or occasional indigestion, providers may recommend antacids to reduce and neutralize the acid in your stomach and improve digestion. You can find most antacids over-the-counter at your local pharmacy, drug store, or supermarket:

  • Tums (calcium carbonate)

  • Imodium (loperamide)

  • Mylanta (simethicone)

  • Alka-Seltzer (sodium bicarbonate)

H2 Blockers

H2 blockers are a class of medications that reduce the amount of stomach acid your body produces. These medicines are most helpful for chronic indigestion. You can find them either over-the-counter or your provider can offer you a prescription for one of the following drugs:

  • Tagamet HB (cimetidine)

  • Pepcid AC (famotidine)

  • Axid AR (nizatidine)

  • Zantac 75 (rinatidine)

Prokinetics

Prokinetics are a class of drugs that promotes digestion. These medications usually require a prescription. There are currently two types of prokinetics available in the U.S., including:

  • Urecholine (bethanechol)

  • Reglan (metoclopramide)

Dietary Changes

Avoiding certain foods or drinks that can cause or worsen indigestion may help improve your symptoms. Your healthcare provider may recommend limiting your intake of:

  • Alcohol

  • Coffee, tea, or other caffeinated drinks

  • Carbonated beverages or sodas

  • Foods high in acid, such as tomatoes or citrus fruits

  • Spicy, fatty, or greasy foods

How to Prevent Indigestion

Making certain changes to your lifestyle can help prevent indigestion. There are several things that you can do to avoid experiencing symptoms, including:

  • Waiting two to three hours before lying down after eating

  • Chewing your food completely

  • Avoiding eating snacks or meals at least three hours before bedtime

  • Quitting smoking

  • Limiting exercise immediately after eating

  • Managing stress by using methods such as yoga, meditation, journaling, or other hobbies you enjoy

Complications

While occasional indigestion rarely causes complications, chronic cases can cause more serious issues. If indigestion is left untreated, it has the potential to develop into the following conditions:

  • Esophageal stricture: When your indigestion is a result of GERD, stomach acids can irritate the lining of the esophagus and cause scarring. Over time, this narrows the esophagus, making it difficult to swallow food or making it easy for food to get stuck in your throat.

  • Pyloric stenosis: Stomach acids can also irritate the lining of the pylorus, which is an opening that connects the stomach to the small intestine. Scarring and narrowing of this passage can cause a variety of digestive symptoms including constipation and vomiting. It's important to note that this condition can occur in adults, but is more common in young children.

Living With Indigestion

While symptoms of indigestion can feel uncomfortable, most people with symptoms go on to live full and healthy lives. Many people experience temporary and infrequent episodes of indigestion. However, if you have chronic indigestion, medications and dietary changes can provide symptom relief quickly.

If your symptoms aren't going away or they worsen, it's good practice to see your healthcare provider for proper testing and diagnosis. They can help you figure out the underlying cause of your symptoms and find treatment options that improve your quality of life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can indigestion go away on its own?

Indigestion is often temporary and can resolve on its own, without the need for treatment. Indigestion episodes commonly go away within a couple of hours of onset. If symptoms persist, over-the-counter or prescribed medications can help. However, if symptoms persist for longer than two weeks, you should seek medical attention.

Does drinking water help indigestion?

If your indigestion is caused by gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), drinking water can help dilute stomach acid and reduce irritation of the GI tract.

What's the difference between indigestion and heartburn?

While indigestion and heartburn can often occur side-by-side, they are distinct symptoms. Indigestion refers to a wider set of digestion problems, causing abdominal pain, bloating, belching, flatulence, and other symptoms. Heartburn, which leads to burning in the throat and difficulty swallowing, occurs when stomach acids back up into your esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth and the stomach).

 

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