Indigestion, also called dyspepsia, causes discomfort or a burning sensation in the upper abdomen, bloating, gas, nausea, or feeling full quickly after starting a meal.
Indigestion is always a sign of an underlying disease. It can be caused by overeating, drinking too much, food intolerance, or taking medication or supplements on an empty stomach.
Approximately 10% to 20% of those who seek help for their symptoms have functional dyspepsia.
WHAT IS INDIGESTION?
Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia or functional dyspepsia, is discomfort in your upper abdomen, causing symptoms such as stomach pain, bloating, or feeling of fullness quickly after you start eating.
Indigestion is a common GI ailment and can be a symptom of other digestive disorders. Functional dyspepsia can often be relieved through diet changes and/or medication. Approximately 10% to 20% of people who seek help for their indigestion symptoms have functional dyspepsia. Each person may experience different indigestion symptoms, so it’s important to speak with a GI specialist about your symptoms if they persist.
Oftentimes, gastroenterologists can’t pinpoint a direct cause for the irritation to the stomach lining.
Both acid reflux and stomach ulcers can result in dyspepsia. Acid reflux is when your stomach acid backs up into your esophagus, causing pain in your chest. If your doctor suspects acid reflux or stomach acid to be causing your dyspepsia, they may run some tests to confirm. In addition, some medicines, such as anti-inflammatory pain relievers, can cause dyspepsia symptoms.
While doctors may not have a clear answer on the cause of functional dyspepsia, here are some of the suggested culprits:
H. pylori is a common bacterial infection, resulting in gastritis (chronic inflammation of the stomach lining) and can erode the protective mucus lining in the stomach.
Impaired stomach accommodation/emptying
The stomach is supposed to relax and expand to accommodate the food you take in, but sometimes, this function can become impaired. This results in a constant full feeling. Some people may also suffer from gastroparesis, which is when the signals that tell your stomach to empty into the small intestines become impaired, causing food to get backed up.
Visceral hypersensitivity
Sometimes, an extra sensitive nervous system can cause a physical response to stress and emotions. This can sometimes cause tightening and restriction of the digestive organs.
RISK FACTORS
Female sex
Helicobacter pylori infection
Low body mass index
Old age
Use of aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
SYMPTOMS
Feeling full early on in a meal, meaning you already feel full when you haven’t eaten much of your meal and don’t feel like you can finish.
An uncomfortable fullness following a meal, lasting longer than typical fullness.
Mild to severe pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen between the bottom of your breastbone and belly button.
A burning sensation or uncomfortable heat in the upper abdomen.
Bloating in the upper abdomen.
Nausea, feeling like you need to vomit.
Other symptoms include belching, heartburn in the center of the chest radiating to your neck or back, and vomiting.
WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR
Mild indigestion is typically nothing to worry about but talk to your doctor at Charleston GI if it persists for two weeks or more.
Sweating or chest pain radiating to the jaw, neck, or arm
Chest pain when you're active or stressed
DIAGNOSTIC TEST
To determine the cause of your functional dyspepsia and rule out other GI issues that may be the culprit, your doctor may perform a variety of tests, including:
Laboratory tests: Check for anemia or metabolic disorders.
Breath and stool tests: Check for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), the bacterium associated with peptic ulcers, which can cause indigestion.
Endoscopy: Check for issues in your upper digestive tract, particularly in older people with symptoms that won't go away. A tissue sample, called a biopsy, may be taken for analysis.
Imaging tests (X-ray or CT scan): Check for intestinal obstruction or another issue.
TREATMENT
Indigestion can sometimes be relieved or eased by lifestyle changes. Your doctor may recommend changes, such as:
Eliminating foods from your diet that trigger indigestion.
Increasing your meals to five or six smaller ones throughout the day.
Eliminating or reducing alcohol and caffeine intake.
Avoiding certain medicines, like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium (Aleve) which may aggravate symptoms when taken.
Looking into alternative medicines for those that trigger indigestion.
Finding ways to reduce stress and anxiety.
If your indigestion persists even with lifestyle and diet changes, medication may help. Over-the-counter antacids are a general first step in this direction. Other options may include:
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which help reduce stomach acid. PPIs may be recommended if you experience heartburn along with indigestion.
H-2-receptor blockers, which can also reduce stomach acid.
Prokinetics, which can be helpful with slow stomach emptying.
Antibiotics, which can help fight H. pylori bacteria causing your indigestion.
Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medicines to help lower stress and anxiety causing indigestion.
PREVENTION
To lower your risk of developing indigestion, some lifestyle changes can be made to keep your GI system happy. Those changes can include:
Eating smaller, more-frequent meals.
Chewing your food slowly and thoroughly.
Avoiding certain foods, such as fatty and spicy foods, processed foods, carbonated beverages, caffeine, and alcohol.
Maintaining a healthy weight. Excess weight can put pressure on your abdomen, pushing up your stomach, and causing acid to back up into your esophagus.
Exercising regularly. Exercise helps you keep off extra weight and promotes better digestion.
Managing stress and anxiety. Create a calm environment for mealtimes. Practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga. Spend time doing things you enjoy.
Getting plenty of quality sleep.
Changing your medicines. With your health care provider's approval, lower your intake of pain relievers or other medicines that may irritate your stomach lining. If that's not an option, be sure to take these medicines with food.
FOODS TO AVOID WITH DYSPEPSIA
Here are some foods you should avoid that cause indigestion/dyspepsia:
Alcohol
Citrus fruits
Fried and fatty foods
Onions
Peppers
Spicy foods
Please speak with your primary care doctor, certified nutritionist, or certified gastroenterologist directly for proper dietary habits while managing dyspepsia.
FOOD TO EAT WITH DYSPEPSIA
Here are some good foods to eat to ease dyspepsia:
Rice
Apples
Bread
Rock candy
Honey
Yogurt
Caraway seeds
Dates
Walnut
Quince
Hot cereals
Soups
Stews
Cooked vegetables
Cooked fruit (applesauce)
Yogurts
Cottage cheese
Casseroles
Banana
Melon
Apple
Pear
Coconut
Please speak with your primary care doctor, certified nutritionist, or certified gastroenterologist directly for proper dietary habits while managing dyspepsia.
Not typically, but some symptoms of dyspepsia can be a sign of a more serious condition.
In some rare cases, dyspepsia can be a symptom of stomach cancer. If you’re experiencing dyspepsia, talk to your doctor, especially if you are over 50, have recently lost weight without trying, are having trouble swallowing, are vomiting severely, experiencing tarry, black stools, or feel a lump in your stomach area.
How common is functional dyspepsia?
Functional dyspepsia is very common!
In fact, it’s considered one of the most common functional disorders. It is estimated that approximately 10 to 20% of people who seek help for their symptoms have functional dyspepsia. Many people who experience symptoms do not seek care, so the number may be much higher.
How is dyspepsia treated?
Most of the time, you can take medicine to treat dyspepsia. If a stomach ulcer is the culprit of your symptoms, it can also be cured. An H. pylori infection can be taken care of with antibiotics. Lifestyle changes, diet changes, and changes to medication can also help reduce your dyspepsia symptoms.
Your doctor might suggest an endoscopy procedure if:
You still have stomach pain after you take dyspepsia medicine for eight weeks.
They believe you are at risk of serious disease.
How to prevent indigestion issues?
Some common lifestyle changes to better manage indigestion include:
Quitting smoking.
Avoiding foods that trigger indigestion.
Reducing stress in your life.
Not eating before bedtime if you have acid reflux.
Eliminate anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen, unless instructed otherwise by your doctor.
What foods should I avoid with functional dyspepsia?
Many studies have shown that symptoms of dyspepsia are often associated with ingesting certain foods such as onions, peppers, fried/fatty foods, alcohol, citrus, and spicy foods. While everyone’s trigger foods may differ, lowering your intake of the foods mentioned may help your symptoms.
What foods are good for dyspepsia?
Foods such as rice, apples, bread, honey, yogurt, dates, and walnuts can help ease dyspepsia. Watermelon tops the list of fruits that can aggravate dyspepsia symptoms, as well as citrus fruits.
Can I eat cheese with dyspepsia?
This can depend. If you deal with dyspepsia, try not to eat more than one to three portions per week and avoid soft cheeses.
Does drinking water help dyspepsia?
Staying hydrated is a great way to help your symptoms! Adequate hydration helps ensure proper passing of food through your GI tract and can help reduce post-meal acid reflux. Taking small, regular sips of water throughout the day can help clear acid in the esophagus.
Is peanut butter bad for dyspepsia?
Not necessarily. Chunky peanut butter is more likely to cause symptoms, but smooth peanut butter is often recommended for esophageal soft food diets, so enjoy your smooth peanut butter!
Are eggs good for dyspepsia?
Egg whites are lower in fat and easier to digest, so they might be a better choice if you suffer from indigestion. Egg yolks are higher in fat and can increase symptoms. If you want to include eggs in your diet, consider switching to egg whites to ease your dyspepsia.
Is yogurt good for dyspepsia?
Yes! Fat-free yogurt is a good option and is less likely to cause discomfort. Enjoy your fat-free yogurt with some frozen berries for a dyspepsia-friendly treat.
Is avocado good for dyspepsia?
Yes. Avocados are full of healthy, unsaturated fats and can help keep your heartburn and dyspepsia at bay.
Are blueberries OK for functional dyspepsia?
Yes! Blueberries are low in acid, so they are easy to digest for those with functional dyspepsia.
Can I drink milk with dyspepsia?
No, milk is not recommended for those with dyspepsia. The fat in milk can aggravate symptoms, even when it comes to low-fat and lactose-free options. It’s best to avoid milk to help reduce your functional dyspepsia symptoms.
Is tea ok for dyspepsia?
Yes, it is. For dyspepsia patients with issues of GERD, some of the best herbal teas to ease symptoms include:
Charleston GI offers board-certified gastroenterologists to diagnose and treat your digestive tract issues. Plus, patients can easily schedule an appointment – no referral needed.
By minimizing the hassle and cost, our goal at Charleston GI is to make your GI health a priority! Get in touch with our GI doctors today to learn more or to schedule your appointment! No referral needed!
Medical Disclaimer: This page is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not replace evaluation or care from a licensed healthcare provider. Screening recommendations and results vary by individual. Viewing this page does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Privacy practices comply with applicable laws.
