Indigestion: Upper Belly Discomfort After Eating and When to Be Seen

What it involves

MedlinePlus defines indigestion, also called dyspepsia, as mild discomfort in the upper belly that often occurs during or right after eating. It may feel like heat, burning or pain between the navel and the lower breastbone, or an unpleasant fullness that starts soon after a meal begins.

Who this is for

• Adults with fullness or burning in the upper belly after most meals
• Patients who take aspirin or anti-inflammatory pain relievers regularly and have stomach upset
• People whose indigestion has lasted more than a few days or has changed
• Anyone who also has bloating, nausea or a loss of appetite with meals

What to expect

• Questions about when the discomfort occurs, what you eat and drink, and which medicines and supplements you take
• An exam of the abdomen, with blood work when the history calls for it
• A discussion of triggers and over-the-counter options, and when stronger treatment makes sense
• A referral for an ultrasound or upper endoscopy when warning signs or a lasting problem call for one

Indigestion is not the same as heartburn

MedlinePlus states plainly that indigestion is not the same as heartburn. Indigestion is discomfort or fullness in the upper belly, while heartburn is a burning in the chest from acid rising into the esophagus. They overlap and can happen together, which is why people use the words interchangeably. If burning rises into the chest or throat after you lie down, the acid reflux and heartburn guide covers that pattern. This page covers the upper-belly discomfort that follows meals.

Everyday triggers

The MedlinePlus encyclopedia lists drinking too many caffeinated beverages, drinking too much alcohol, spicy, fatty or greasy foods, overeating, eating too fast, high-fiber foods, smoking or chewing tobacco, and stress or nervousness. The health topic summary adds being tired and ongoing stress. Keeping a note of what you ate and when the discomfort started for two weeks often reveals a pattern, such as a large late dinner or a second cup of coffee on an empty stomach, and gives your provider something specific.

Conditions that can cause it

MedlinePlus says indigestion is most often not a sign of a serious problem, but other causes include gallstones, gastritis, an inflamed esophagus, swelling of the pancreas and stomach or intestinal ulcers. The gallstone guide and the peptic ulcer guide describe two of them. Certain medicines can also irritate the stomach, including antibiotics, aspirin and anti-inflammatory pain relievers such as ibuprofen and naproxen. Please do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.

What helps at home

MedlinePlus suggests allowing enough time for meals, chewing food carefully, avoiding arguments, excitement or exercise right after eating, and resting if stress is the cause. It says to avoid aspirin and other anti-inflammatory pain relievers or take them on a full stomach, to avoid alcohol and smoking, and that antacids may help. Over-the-counter acid-reducing medicines can relieve symptoms, and a provider may prescribe stronger ones for longer periods. If you smoke, the quitting smoking guide explains where to start.

Signs that need a visit

MedlinePlus says to contact your provider if symptoms change noticeably, last longer than a few days, come with unexplained weight loss, sudden severe abdominal pain, trouble swallowing, yellow skin or eyes, or if you vomit blood or pass black stool. The NIDDK summary on MedlinePlus says to see a provider if indigestion lasts more than two weeks. Our guides to difficulty swallowing and blood in the stool explain two of those signs in more detail.

When it might be your heart

Rarely, MedlinePlus says, the discomfort of a heart attack is mistaken for indigestion. It tells people to get medical help right away if symptoms include jaw pain, chest pain, back pain, heavy sweating, anxiety or a feeling of impending doom. Call 911 instead of waiting to see if an antacid works. Your provider may also check your heart at a visit when the story is not clear, and the practice offers EKGs at the Loxahatchee and West Palm Beach offices.

Sources

• MedlinePlus: Indigestion (medical encyclopedia)
• MedlinePlus: Indigestion (health topic, NIDDK)