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Indigestion (dyspepsia)
Indigestion is a general term used to describe symptoms of stomach upset, particularly after eating. Most people have indigestion from time to time.
Common symptoms of indigestion include:
- Generalized abdominal pain.
- Feeling gassy (abdominal bloating).
- Belching.
- Nausea.
- Loss of appetite.
Occasional indigestion is not a concern. Usually home treatment is all that is needed to treat occasional indigestion. If indigestion occurs over and over, a visit to a doctor is needed.
What are the symptoms of dyspepsia?
Dyspepsia is a common symptom and can include:
- Belly pain or discomfort.
- Bloating.
- Feeling uncomfortably full after eating.
- Nausea.
- Loss of appetite.
- Burping.
Most people will experience some symptoms of dyspepsia within their lifetimes.
How can you care for indigestion (dyspepsia)?
- Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter medicine. For mild or occasional indigestion, antacids such as Mylanta, Maalox, or Tums may help. Be safe with medicines. Be careful when you take over-the-counter antacid medicines. Many of these medicines have aspirin in them. Read the label to make sure that you are not taking more than the recommended dose. Too much aspirin can be harmful.
- Your doctor also may recommend over-the-counter acid reducers, such as famotidine (Pepcid AC), cimetidine (Tagamet HB ), or omeprazole (Prilosec). Read and follow all instructions on the label. If you use these medicines often, talk with your doctor.
- Try changing your eating habits.
- Try eating several small meals instead of two or three large meals.
- After you eat, wait 2 to 3 hours before you lie down. Snacking close to bedtime might make your symptoms worse.
- Avoid foods that make your symptoms worse. These may include chocolate, mint, alcohol, pepper, spicy foods, high-fat foods, or drinks with caffeine in them, such as tea, coffee, colas, or energy drinks.
- Try to quit smoking, or cut back as much as you can. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about stop-smoking programs and medicines. These can increase your chances of quitting for good.
- If you get dyspepsia at night, you can try raising the head of your bed 6 to 8 inches by putting the frame on blocks or placing a foam wedge under the head of your mattress. (Adding extra pillows usually won't help.)
- Try to avoid wearing tight clothing around your middle.
- Lose weight if you need to. Losing just 5 to 10 pounds can help. Talk to your doctor if you need help with this.
- Do not take anti-inflammatory medicines, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve). These can irritate the stomach. If you need a pain medicine, try acetaminophen (Tylenol), which does not cause stomach upset.
Indigestion in children: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- Your child passes out (loses consciousness).
- Your child vomits blood or what looks like coffee grounds.
- Your child passes maroon or very bloody stools.
- Your child has severe belly pain.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- Your child has new or worse belly pain.
- Your child's stools are black and look like tar, or have streaks of blood.
- Your child has trouble swallowing.
Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- Your child is losing weight and you do not know why.
- Your child does not get better as expected.
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The content above contains general health information provided by Healthwise, Incorporated, and reviewed by its medical experts. This content should not replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Not all treatments or services described are offered as services by us. For recommended treatments, please consult your healthcare provider.