If you've ever felt intense fullness and discomfort, perhaps accompanied by a burning sensation, after a particularly large, greasy meal, you've experienced indigestion, also known as dyspepsia. Often confused with heartburn — which is a burning pain in the chest, adjacent to the esophagus — indigestion causes upset stomach. Even so, symptoms of indigestion and heartburn often occur together.
Upset Stomach: What Does Indigestion Feel Like?
Indigestion typically leads to one or more of the following symptoms:
- Feeling uncomfortably full or bloated just after you finish eating
- Pain or burning in the stomach
- Frequent burping
- An acidic taste in the mouth
- Excess gas
- Nausea or vomiting
Keep in mind that symptoms of indigestion are often worsened by stress and anxiety.
Upset Stomach: Who Gets Indigestion?
Indigestion can affect anyone, but it is particularly common in people who:
- Drink a lot of alcohol or caffeine
- Eat foods that are greasy and high in fat
- Eat very spicy foods
- Eat too quickly or eat too much food
- Eat while under stress
- Have a history of heartburn
Swallowing excess air while eating too quickly and exercising right after a big meal can also cause indigestion.
Also, keep in mind that medication may cause an upset stomach; culprits include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen, and certain antibiotics, like erythromycin, tetracycline, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
Upset Stomach: Is Indigestion Serious?
If your indigestion doesn't go away, even after you've changed your diet and lifestyle to try to reduce symptoms, you should see your doctor to find out what treatment might help.
In some cases, doctors aren't able to determine the specific cause of indigestion. This is what's known as functional, or non-ulcer, dyspepsia. Even if the cause is unclear though, indigestion can usually be managed with diet and medication.
Upset Stomach: Health Problems That Cause Indigestion
Indigestion may be uncomfortable, but usually isn't a serious problem. Nevertheless, it can be a warning sign of an underlying digestive health problem or another condition. If you notice any other symptoms in association with your indigestion such as weight loss, decreased appetite, bloody vomit, bloody or tar-like stools, or difficulty catching your breath, you should see your doctor right away. In these cases, a serious illness like gastritis, pancreatitis, or even cancer could be contributing to your symptoms.
Health problems linked to indigestion include:
- Ulcers in the stomach or duodenum (part of the small intestine)
- Inflammation or irritation in the stomach (gastritis), gallbladder (cholecystitis), or pancreas (pancreatitis)
- GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
- Lactose intolerance
- Stress, depression, or anxiety
- Irritable bowel syndrome and other intestinal disorders
Indigestion is your body's way of telling you what you probably already know — that you ate too quickly or ate too much of the wrong foods. So listen to your body, make healthy food choices, and don't scarf down your meals. A greasy meal or a too-quick bite to eat isn't worth the taste when it leaves you feeling uncomfortable long after the meal is finished.
Return to the Digestive Health Awareness Center.