Indigestion

Indigestion Overview

Indigestion is a term that describes a feeling of fullness or discomfort in the upper abdomen. Signs of indigestion may be vague but can also include belching, heartburn, bloating, and nausea. Also called dyspepsia (and non-acid dyspepsia), it is a common symptom caused by many conditions and is not a disease unto itself. Some investigators suggest heartburn and indigestion are closely related, others separate these two conditions.

Indigestion Symptoms

Common indigestion symptoms include:

• abdominal pain,
  
• heartburn or acid indigestion (acid reflux),
  
• bloating (full feeling),
  
• excessive gas (belching, burping or flatulence),
  
• nausea with or without vomiting,
  
• acidic taste in the mouth,
  
• gurgling, rumbling, or growling stomach discomfort,
  
• constipation or diarrhea, and
  
• decreased appetite.

Indigestion Causes

Indigestion is a symptom of many different conditions. It is usually related to a functional problem (difficulty processing food or stomach acids). This dysfunction of the gastrointestinal system can be caused most often by diseases, medications, and lifestyle.
Disease or conditions that may cause indigestion include:

• ulcers (gastric or duodenal ulcer);
  
• GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease);
  
• esophagitis;
  
• hiatal hernia;
  
• gallstones;
  
• pregnancy (especially late term);
  
• inflammation of the pancreas (acute or chronic pancreatitis);
  
• inflammation of the stomach (acute or chronic gastritis);
  
• stomach infections and food poisoning;
  
• irritable bowel syndrome (IBS);
  
• thyroid disease;
  
• gastroparesis (a condition where the stomach doesn't empty properly, this often occurs in people with diabetes);
  
• food allergies or sensitivities (such as lactose intolerance);
  
• depression; and
  
• stomach cancer (rare).

Medications that may cause indigestion include:

• aspirin and many other painkillers such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs);
  
• steroids (such as prednisone, methylprednisolone [Medrol, Medrol Dosepak], and Decadron);
  
• estrogen and oral contraceptives;
  
• antibiotics (such as erythromycin and tetracycline);
  
• thyroid medication;
  
• blood pressure medication;
  
• cholesterol medications (statin drugs); and
  
• pain medications (codeine and other narcotics).

Lifestyle factors that may cause indigestion include:

• eating too much, eating too fast;
  
• eating fatty, greasy or spicy foods;
  
• excessive alcohol intake;
  
• smoking;
  
• stress, fatigue and anxiety;
  
• caffeine; and
  
• moderate to intense exercise immediately after eating