What is Indigestion?
Indigestion, also called dyspepsia or an upset stomach – is a general term that describes discomfort in your upper abdomen according to mayoclinic.org. Some people also use this term to describe the symptom of heartburn.
Indigestion might be caused by a disease in the digestive tract such as ulcer or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but for many people, it results from eating too much, eating too quickly, eating high-fat foods, or eating during stressful situations. Smoking, drinking too much alcohol, using medications that irritate the stomach lining, being tired, and having ongoing stress can also cause or make symptoms worse.
Some people have persistent indigestion that is not related to any of these factors. This type is called functional or nonulcer dyspepsia—may be caused by a problem in the muscular squeezing action of the stomach (motility).
To diagnose indigestion, the doctor might perform tests for problems, like ulcers. In the process of diagnosis, a person may have x rays of the stomach and small intestine or undergo endoscopy, in which the doctor uses an instrument to look at the inside of the stomach.
Avoiding the foods and situations that seem to cause indigestion in some cases is the most successful way to treat it. Heartburn caused by acid reflux is usually improved by treatment with antacids, H2-blockers, or proton pump inhibitors. Smokers can help relieve their indigestion by quitting smoking, or at least not smoking right before eating. Exercising with a full stomach may trigger a stomach ache, so scheduling exercise before a meal or at least an hour afterward might help.
To treat indigestion caused by a functional problem in the digestive tract, the doctor may prescribe medicine that affects stomach motility.
