Dyspepsia (patient information)
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Dyspepsia |
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Dyspepsia On the Web |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ajay Gade MD[2]]
Overview
Indigestion (dyspepsia) is a vague feeling of discomfort in the upper belly or abdomen during or right after eating. Indigestion is a common problem.
What are the symptoms of Dyspepsia?
Symptoms may include:
- A feeling of heat, burning, or pain in the area between the navel and the lower part of the breastbone
- A feeling of fullness that is bothersome and occurs soon after the meal begins or when it is over
Bloating or nausea are less common symptoms.
NOTE: Indigestion is NOT the same as heartburn.
What causes Dyspepsia?
Indigestion may be triggered by:
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Eating spicy, fatty, or greasy foods
- Eating too much (overeating)
- Eating too fast
- Emotional stress or nervousness
- High-fiber foods
- Tobacco smoking
- Too much caffeine
Other causes of indigestion are:
- Gallstones
- Gastritis (when the lining of the stomach becomes inflamed or swollen)
- Swelling of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
- Ulcers (stomach or intestinal ulcer)
- Use of certain drugs such as antibiotics, aspirin, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Indigestion is usually not a sign of a more serious health problem, unless other symptoms also occur, such as weight loss or trouble swallowing.
Rarely, the discomfort of a heart attack is mistaken for indigestion.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Seek immediate medical help if your symptoms include jaw pain, chest pain, back pain, profuse sweating, anxiety, or a feeling of impending doom. These are possible heart attack symptoms.
Call your health care provider if:
- Indigestion symptoms change noticeably
- Symptoms last longer than a few days
- You have unexplained weight loss
- You have sudden, severe abdominal pain
- You have trouble swallowing
- You have yellow coloring of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
- You vomit blood or pass blood in the stool
Diagnosis
The following tests may be performed:
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Blood tests (depending on the suspected cause)
- Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
- Upper GI and small bowel series
Treatment options
Changing the way you eat may relieve your symptoms. Antacids may also relieve indigestion.
Medications you can buy without a prescription, such as ranitidine (Zantac) and omeprazole (Prilosec OTC) can relieve symptoms. Your doctor may also prescribe these medicines in higher doses or for longer periods of time.
Prevention
- A calm environment and rest may help relieve stress-related indigestion.
- Allow enough time for meals.
- Avoid arguments during meals.
- Avoid aspirin and other NSAIDs. If you must take them, do so on a full stomach.
- Avoid excitement or exercise right after a meal.
- Chew food carefully and completely.\
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Your doctor will perform a physical examination, paying special attention to the stomach area and digestive tract. You will be asked questions about your symptoms, including:
- Do you drink a lot of caffeinated beverages (tea, soda, coffee)?
- Do you eat quickly?
- Does it begin or get worse after drinking alcoholic or carbonated drinks?
- Does the discomfort begin or get worse after eating certain foods?
- Have you been overeating?
- Have you changed medications recently?
- Have you changed your diet?
- Have you had any spicy, high-fiber, or fatty foods?
- What medications are you taking?
- What other symptoms do you have? For example, stomach pain or vomiting.