Indigestion

Summary

Nearly everyone has had indigestion at one time. It’s a feeling of discomfort or a burning feeling in your upper abdomen. You may have heartburn or belch and feel bloated. You may also feel nauseated, or even throw up.

You might get indigestion from eating too much or too fast, eating high-fat foods, or eating when you’re stressed. Smoking, drinking too much alcohol, using some medicines, being tired, and having ongoing stress can also cause indigestion or make it worse. Sometimes the cause is a problem with the digestive tract, like an ulcer or GERD.

Avoiding foods and situations that seem to cause it may help. Because indigestion can be a sign of a more serious problem, see your health care provider if it lasts for more than two weeks or if you have severe pain or other symptoms. Your health care provider may use x-rays, lab tests, and an upper endoscopy to diagnose the cause. You may need medicines to treat the symptoms.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Find an Expert

• American College of Gastroenterology American College of Gastroenterology
• Find a Gastroenterologist American College of Gastroenterology
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Related Issues

• Belching, Bloating and Flatulence American College of Gastroenterology
• Confusing or Ambiguous Upper Gut Symptoms International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders

Treatments and Therapies

• Chamomile National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
• Peppermint Oil National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
• Sage National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Dyspepsia National Institutes of Health

Specifics

• Functional Dyspepsia Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Patient Handouts

• Indigestion Medical Encyclopedia
• Taking antacids Medical Encyclopedia

Start Here

• Indigestion (Dyspepsia) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Indigestion (Dyspepsia) American Academy of Family Physicians

Children

• Indigestion (For Children) Nemours Foundation
• Indigestion (For Parents) Nemours Foundation

Teenagers

• Indigestion (For Teens) Nemours Foundation

Journal Articles

• Indigestion

Reference Desk

• Your Digestive System and How It Works National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases