At one time or another, everyone’s experienced the discomfort of indigestion – from the painful fullness that follows a summer BBQ feast, to the burning sensation that sometimes comes with too many cups of coffee.
Frequent or ongoing indigestion may signal an underlying problem. Getting to the root of what’s making you miserable will ensure you get the relief you need.
What’s considered indigestion?
Indigestion can strike at random and usually at the most inconvenient times. The most common symptoms include:
- Heartburn
- Fullness during or after a meal
- Belching and gas
- Bloating
- Burning in your upper belly or stomach
- Pain in your stomach
- Nausea and vomiting
- Acid reflux
- Growling stomach
How to relieve indigestion
You may be able to ease your indigestion with some simple lifestyle adjustments:
- Cut back on spicy, fatty, acidic and high-fiber foods
- Eliminate or reduce caffeinated, carbonated and alcoholic drinks
- Eat smaller meals throughout the day
- Avoid eating late at night
- Focus on getting a good night's sleep
- Reduce stress levels
- Check your medicine cabinet. Some over-the-counter medications like Advil and Aleve can cause an upset stomach.
When should I see a doctor for indigestion?
If you've eliminated potential factors and you're still experiencing indigestion, your frequent discomfort could be a symptom of something else, including:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Gallbladder issues
- Bacterial infection
- Ulcers
- Gastritis
Seek medical care if you're experiencing indigestion and have a family history of any of these conditions, or if your symptoms continue for more than two weeks.
At Indigo Health, your medical provider will evaluate your symptoms and work with you to get to the source of the problem. Our experienced team is here for you every day, 8 am to 8 pm, including holidays.
We’re taking extra precautions during COVID-19 season to ensure your safety.
- Schedule an appointment online, if you can.
- All staff, patients and visitors are required to wear a mask.
- If possible, please limit accompanying visitors to one.
- When you arrive, a concierge will get you to an exam suite as soon as possible.
