Indigestion (patient information): Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
 
Line 91: Line 91:
[[Category:Patient information]]
[[Category:Patient information]]
[[Category:Gastroenterology]]
[[Category:Gastroenterology]]
[[Category:Signs and symptoms]]
 
{{WH}}
{{WH}}
{{WS}}
{{WS}}

Latest revision as of 14:58, 9 June 2015

Indigestion

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Diagnosis

When to seek urgent medical care?

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Indigestion?

Prevention

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Indigestion On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images of Indigestion

Videos on Indigestion

FDA on Indigestion

CDC on Indigestion

Indigestionin the news

Blogs on Indigestion

Directions to Hospitals Treating Indigestion

Risk calculators and risk factors for Indigestion

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Indigestion (dyspepsia) is a vague feeling of discomfort in the upper belly or abdomen during or right after eating.

What are the symptoms of Indigestion?

Symptoms may include:

  • A feeling of heat, burning, or pain in the area between the navel and the lower part of the breastbone
  • A feeling of fullness that is bothersome and occurs soon after the meal begins or when it is over

Bloating or nausea are less common symptoms.

Indigestion is NOT the same as heartburn.

What causes Indigestion?

Indigestion may be triggered by:

  • Drinking too much alcohol
  • Eating spicy, fatty, or greasy foods
  • Eating too much (overeating)
  • Eating too fast
  • Emotional stress or nervousness
  • High-fiber foods
  • Tobacco smoking
  • Too much caffeine

Other causes of indigestion are:

Diagnosis

The following tests may be performed:

  • Abdominal ultrasound
  • Blood tests (depending on the suspected cause)
  • Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD )
  • Upper GI and small bowel series

When to seek urgent medical care?

Indigestion is a common problem, usually not a sign of a more serious health problem, unless other symptoms also occur, such as weight loss or trouble swallowing. Rarely, the discomfort of a heart attack is mistaken for indigestion.

Seek immediate medical help if your symptoms include jaw pain, chest pain, back pain, profuse sweating, anxiety, or a feeling of impending doom. These are possible heart attack symptoms.

Call your health care provider if:

  • Indigestion symptoms change noticeably
  • Symptoms last longer than a few days
  • You have unexplained weight loss
  • You have sudden, severe abdominal pain
  • You have trouble swallowing
  • You have yellow coloring of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
  • You vomit blood or pass blood in the stool

Treatment options

Antacids may relieve indigestion. Medications you can buy without a prescription, such as ranitidine (Zantac) and omeprazole (Prilosec OTC) can relieve symptoms. Your doctor may also prescribe these medicines in higher doses or for longer periods of time.

Where to find medical care for Indigestion?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Indigestion

Prevention

Changing the way you eat may relieve your symptoms. In particular, the following may be helpful:

  • Allow enough time for meals.
  • Chew food carefully and completely.
  • Avoid arguments during meals.
  • Avoid excitement or exercise right after a meal.
  • A calm environment and rest may help relieve stress-related indigestion.

Avoid aspirin and other NSAIDs. If you must take them, do so on a full stomach.

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Your doctor will perform a physical examination, paying special attention to the stomach area and digestive tract. You will be asked questions about your symptoms, including:

  • Does the discomfort begin or get worse after eating certain foods?
  • Does it begin or get worse after drinking alcoholic or carbonated drinks?
  • Do you eat quickly?
  • Have you been overeating?
  • Have you changed your diet?
  • Have you had any spicy, high-fiber, or fatty foods?
  • Do you drink a lot of caffeinated beverages (tea, soda, coffee)?
  • What medications are you taking?
  • Have you changed medications recently?
  • What other symptoms do you have? For example, stomach pain or vomiting.

Sources

Template:WH Template:WS