Indigestion

What is indigestion?

Indigestion is a common problem that most people get at some point. It's that uncomfortable feeling you get in your tummy or chest after eating or drinking. The medical name for it is dyspepsia, but indigestion is much easier to say!

Most of the time, indigestion isn't serious and you can treat it yourself at home.

What does indigestion feel like?

You might notice these feelings after eating or drinking:

• Heartburn - a painful burning feeling in your chest
• Feeling very full and bloated
• Feeling sick
• Burping and passing wind more than usual
• Food or bitter-tasting liquid coming back up into your mouth

What indigestion isn't

If you have tummy ache or back pain, this usually isn't indigestion. You might be constipated instead.

How to treat indigestion yourself

You don't usually need to see your GP for indigestion. Here's what can help:

Things that help:

• Cut down on tea, coffee, cola and alcohol
• Prop your head and shoulders up in bed - this stops stomach acid coming up while you sleep
• Lose weight if you need to

Things to avoid:

• Don't eat 3 to 4 hours before bed
• Avoid rich, spicy or fatty foods
• Don't take ibuprofen or aspirin unless your GP has prescribed them (speak to a pharmacist or GP if you take these medicines regularly, as they can make indigestion worse)
• Don't smoke

Getting help from a pharmacist

A pharmacist can suggest medicines to help with the burning feeling or pain. These include:

• Antacids - neutralise stomach acid
• Alginates - form a protective layer in your stomach
• Proton pump inhibitors - reduce the amount of acid your stomach makes

Some medicines work better if you take them after eating. Always read the leaflet that comes with any medicine.

Indigestion during pregnancy

Pregnant women often get indigestion, especially from 27 weeks onwards. This happens because of hormone changes and the growing baby pressing on the stomach.

A pharmacist can recommend safe medicines to use during pregnancy.

When to see your GP

Speak to your GP if you:

• Keep getting indigestion
• Are in severe pain
• Have lost a lot of weight without trying
• Find it hard to swallow
• Keep being sick
• Have been told you have iron deficiency anaemia
• Feel like there's a lump in your stomach

⚠️ Urgent warning signs

See your GP urgently if you have:

• Blood in your vomit or poo

These symptoms could be signs of something more serious that needs checking.

What causes indigestion?

Indigestion usually happens when acid from your stomach irritates your stomach lining or throat. This is called acid reflux.

Common triggers include:

• Certain foods and drinks (coffee, tomatoes, alcohol, chocolate, fatty or spicy foods)
• Being overweight
• Smoking
• Pregnancy
• Stress and worry
• Some medicines, especially anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen
• A hiatus hernia (when part of your stomach moves up into your chest)

Sometimes indigestion can be caused by a stomach ulcer or, less commonly, something more serious like stomach cancer.

Remember, most indigestion is nothing to worry about and gets better with simple self-care.

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Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.