By Dr Subramaniyam Srinivas
Consultant GastroenterologistPublished on: 20 Aug 2021
Article Context:
- What is Indigestion?
- Symptoms
- Causes
- Diagnosis
- Risks
- When to See Doctor
- Preventions
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is Indigestion?
Symptoms
- Bloating
- Belching and gas
- Nausea and vomiting
- An acidic taste in your mouth
- Fullness during or after a meal
- Growling stomach
- Burning in your stomach or upper belly
- Belly pain
Causes
- Ulcers
- GERD
- Gastroparesis
- Stomach infections
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Pancreatitis, an inflamed pancreas
- Thyroid disease
Diagnosis
- Reflux esophagitis
- Ulcers
- Inflammatory diseases
- Infection cancer
Risks
- Excess alcohol consumption
- Use of medicines that can irritate the stomach, such as aspirin and other pain relievers.
- Conditions in which the digestive tract is abnormal, such as an ulcer
- Emotional problems, such as anxiety or depression.
When to See Doctor?
- Vomiting or blood in your vomit.
- Weight loss you can’t explain
- Loss of appetite
- Stools that are bloody, black, or tarry
- Severe pain in your upper-right belly
- Pain in the upper- or lower-right parts of your belly
- Feeling uncomfortable even if you haven’t eaten
Reference link:
- https://generalsurgery.ucsf.edu/conditions--procedures/indigestion.aspx
- https://studenthealth.uconn.edu/educational-handouts/indigestion/
- https://muschealth.org/medical-services/ddc/patients/symptoms-and-conditions/indigestion
Frequently Asked Questions:
When you have indigestion, you may have one or more of the following symptoms: pain, burning sensation, or discomfort in your upper abdomen. feeling full too soon while eating feeling uncomfortably full after eating.
Indigestion is a chronic disease that usually lasts for years, if not a lifetime. However, it shows periodicity, which means that symptoms can be more frequent or severe for days, weeks, or months and then less frequent or severe for days, weeks, or months.
Mild indigestion is not usually a cause for concern. Consult your doctor if the discomfort persists for more than two weeks. Contact your doctor immediately if the pain is severe or accompanied by: Unintentional weight loss or loss of appetite.
It can be caused by stomach acid contacting the sensitive, protective lining of the digestive system (mucosa). Stomach acid breaks down the lining, causing irritation and inflammation, which can be painful.
Nothing works like a cup of warm water to flush toxins out of the body. It also helps break down food and energizes the digestive system, making it easier to digest. If you have stomach-related problems like constipation, heartburn, or even cough, cold, keep drinking warm water for more relief.