Illness name: indigestion

  • Original languages: English

Description:

Indigestion

Most people have indigestion (dyspepsia) at some point. Usually, it's not a sign of anything more serious and you can treat it yourself.

Check if you have indigestion

Indigestion can be felt in different ways.

You can have the following symptoms after eating or drinking:

  • heartburn – a painful burning feeling in the chest, often after eating
  • feeling full and bloated
  • feeling sick
  • burping and farting
  • bringing up food or bitter-tasting fluids into your mouth

When it's not indigestion

Stomach ache or back pain are usually not symptoms of indigestion. If you have those you might be constipated .

How you can treat indigestion yourself

There's usually no need to see a GP about indigestion. There are some things you can do at home.

Do

  • cut down on tea, coffee, cola or alcohol

  • raise your head and shoulders up when in bed – this can stop stomach acid coming up while you sleep

  • lose weight if you're overweight

Don’t

  • do not eat 3 to 4 hours before going to bed

  • do not have rich, spicy or fatty foods

  • do not take ibuprofen or aspirin – this can make indigestion worse

  • do not smoke

A pharmacist can help with indigestion

A pharmacist can recommend medicines to ease the burning feeling or pain that can come with indigestion.

Medicines that can help with indigestion include:

  • antacids
  • alginates
  • proton pump inhibitors

Some indigestion medicines are best to take after eating as their effects last longer. Check the information leaflet that comes with the medicines for more information.

Find a pharmacy

Pregnant women: treating indigestion

Pregnant women often get indigestion. It's very common from 27 weeks onwards.

It can be caused by hormonal changes and the growing baby pressing against the stomach.

A pharmacist can help with uncomfortable feelings or pain. They can recommend the best medicines to use when you're pregnant.

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if you:

  • keep getting indigestion
  • are in severe pain
  • have lost a lot of weight without meaning to
  • have difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
  • keep being sick
  • have iron deficiency anaemia
  • feel like you have a lump in your stomach
  • have bloody vomit or poo

These symptoms can be a sign of something more serious.

What causes indigestion

Indigestion is often caused by acid from your stomach irritating your stomach lining or throat. This is called acid reflux.

This can be caused or made worse by:

  • certain food and drink – such as coffee, tomatoes, alcohol, chocolate and fatty or spicy foods
  • being overweight
  • smoking
  • pregnancy
  • stress and anxiety
  • some medicines, including anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen
  • a hiatus hernia – when part of your stomach moves up into your chest

Indigestion can also be caused by an open sore in your stomach lining ( stomach ulcer ). Less often, it can be a sign of something more serious such as stomach cancer .

Page last reviewed: 21 May 2020
Next review due: 21 May 2023