Feeling very full or bloated Nausea, and even vomiting Excessive burping and belching (beyond what is “normal” for you) Regurgitation of the stomach contents or food into the esophagus Sharp or intense pain in the stomach
Functional dyspepsia (no obvious clinical abnormality) Stress Obesity Smoking Pregnancy Medications (e. . g. non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), aspirin) Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) Gastroparesis (failure of the stomach to empty properly) Helicobacter pylori infection Stomach ulcers Cancer of the stomach
NSAIDs can cause intestinal problems and discomfort. For this reason, long-term use of these medications is not recommended. Iron supplements are also known to be hard on the digestive system and can cause acid reflux, constipation, and an upset stomach. Some high blood pressure, anti-anxiety, and antibiotic medications can also cause heartburn, nausea, and indigestion, among other side effects. If you suspect that your indigestion is being caused by a particular drug, then consulting your doctor about changing to another medication may be the answer.
If the symptoms are mild and are not causing significant pain, you can consider making some changes to your eating and drinking habits (see Part 2). You can also take an over-the-counter antacid, which reduces the production of stomach acid, or an alginate, which helps relieve indigestion caused by acid reflux (when the acid from your stomach leaks back up into the esophagus) In general, you should take an antacid or alginate only when you experience symptoms (rather than as a general everyday medication). See Part 3 for brands. Although there is a lot of reluctance and fear surrounding taking medications during pregnancy nowadays, antacids or alginates are safe as long as you take only the recommended dosage. However, feel free to consult your physician if you are still unsure.
The best treatment strongly depends upon the particular symptoms of discomfort experienced by the patient; however dietary changes are often effective in alleviating symptoms.
It is important to consult your physician if you suspect you may have GERD. If left untreated, GERD can, in the long-term, increase your risk of developing permanent damage and cancer in the esophagus.
There is no satisfactory treatment for this condition but metoclopramide, a dopamine antagonist, helps to contract the stomach thus preventing associated symptoms such as indigestion. In this case, you will need to consult a specialist recommended by your physician.
In the meantime, symptomatic relief can be obtained by consuming antacids, alginates or H2 blockers (see Part 3).
Try eating a half-size portion of what you would normally eat at breakfast, lunch, dinner. As a general rule (and one that holds even if you don’t suffer from regular indigestion), you should feel satisfied, but not stuffed, after eating.
Avoid fatty foods, like fried food, soft cheese, nuts, red meat, and avocados. [11] X Expert Source Muhammad Khan, MD, MPHBoard Certified Gastroenterologist Expert Interview. 24 August 2021. Avoid spicy food like curries and other sauces with heat to them. Avoid tomatoes and tomato-based sauces and citric foods like grapefruits and oranges (as well as in juice form). [12] X Expert Source Muhammad Khan, MD, MPHBoard Certified Gastroenterologist Expert Interview. 24 August 2021. Avoid carbonated drinks, which can unsettle the stomach. Eliminate alcohol and caffeine. Try cutting a few foods out at a time to see if you can narrow down the culprit. As you remove foods from your everyday diet, see if you notice a change and whether your indigestion has abated.
Wait at least one hour after eating before lying down or doing activities that require bending over. If lying down cannot be avoided, elevate the head at an angle of 30 to 45 degrees to help facilitate the digestive system to do its job, breaking down the food. If you have chronic indigestion, consider purchasing a wedge pillow to reduce acid reflux while lying down. [14] X Expert Source Peter Gardner, MDBoard Certified Gastroenterologist Expert Interview. 25 August 2020.
Quitting smoking of course has numerous other benefits alongside relief from chronic indigestion, including reduced risk for lung cancer and other cancers, heart disease, and stroke.
Coffee, tea, and soda and other drinks that contain caffeine should also be avoided. You don’t have to totally give them up, but you should cut back. Aim for 1-2 small cups (3-4 oz) of coffee a day.
Try to eat healthy and regularly. [17] X Expert Source Muhammad Khan, MD, MPHBoard Certified Gastroenterologist Expert Interview. 24 August 2021. Incorporate more fruits and vegetables and whole grains into your diet. Make sure to limit foods with high acidic content until your symptoms are alleviated. [18] X Expert Source Muhammad Khan, MD, MPHBoard Certified Gastroenterologist Expert Interview. 24 August 2021. Get regular exercise. Try to get at least 30 minutes of moderate to intense activity at least three times a week. [19] X Expert Source Muhammad Khan, MD, MPHBoard Certified Gastroenterologist Expert Interview. 24 August 2021. It’s also a good idea to incorporate strength training into your workouts in order to convert fat into muscle.
One of the most prescribed antacids is Maalox. Its recommended dose is one to two tablets four times a day. Though some people find these helpful in treating the casual occurrence of heart burn or indigestion, these may not be strong enough in cases of chronic indigestion.
The most widely recommended H2 blocker is ranitidine, or Zantac, which can be obtained OTC or with a prescription. Ranitidine can be taken orally in tablet form. In general, most H2 blockers are to be taken 30 to 60 minutes before eating (but only twice per day maximum). Acid blockers do not act as quickly as antacids but they last longer. In fact, acid blockers can work for several hours and are best used as a preventive measure.
Physicians recommend PPIs when acid blockers don’t provide lasting relief or when you have problems in the esophagus thanks to GERD. One PPI called Prilosec is available OTC, whereas others, including Aciphex, Nexium, Prevacid, Protonix, and stronger Prilosec, require prescription.
Alginates work faster than H2 blockers and last longer than antacids. They come in both liquid and tablet form, so you should use whatever you prefer. You should take alginates when you experience symptoms and not before a meal, since the food passing through the esophagus can disrupt the barrier and make it less effective.
Reglan should only be considered a short-term treatment and only as a last resort when the other medicines mentioned above do not provide sufficient relief. Do not use Reglan for more than 12 weeks. [25] X Research source Reglan requires a prescription and can be taken in tablet or liquid form, usually 30 minutes before meals and before bed.
Antidepressants aid in pain relief by reducing the ability of the nerve cells to reabsorb brain chemicals such as serotonin and noradrenaline. These chemicals accumulate outside the nerve cells if they are not reabsorbed. This results in the inhibition of pain messages to the spinal cord. Amitriptyline is usually prescribed for this purpose. Its therapeutic dose is 10 to 25 mg daily, which is gradually increased by an increment of 10 or 25 mg each week. [26] X Research source Always consult your physician about the possibilities of taking an antidepressant for pain relief.
You experience indigestion three or more times every week. You’ve suffered from regular indigestion for four or more years. You’ve used OTC antacids and other medications for a period of several months or longer. You have not been able to find relief in spite of various attempts (lifestyle changes, medication, etc. ). Note that if you experience chest pain, you should call your doctor or emergency services, as this could be a sign of a heart attack that you may be mistaking for heartburn or indigestion.
A blood sample is drawn from the patient’s vein through a sterile needle and syringe. The sample is put in a sterile container and will be examined in a medical laboratory.
In an endoscopy, a medical instrument is inserted into the colon and is guided by a small camera with a lighted tube at its end. This procedure can be performed in one of two ways: colonoscopy or upper endoscopy. A colonoscopy utilizes a flexible tube that is gently inserted into the opening of the anus, allowing direct visualization and examination of the colon (the large intestine) and the terminal ileum, the final section of the small intestine. [27] X Research source An upper endoscopy is aided by a flexible tube inserted through the mouth, down the esophagus and the stomach until it reaches the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine. Usually you will be asked to come in with an empty stomach (meaning no food or drink six or more hours before the procedure). During the endoscopy, your doctor may also remove a small piece of tissue to test. [28] X Research source
Before the exam, you’ll have to “empty” your colon because anything remaining could be seen on the X-ray as an abnormality. You will likely be required to fast after midnight and take a laxative in order to clear out your colon. [30] X Expert Source Muhammad Khan, MD, MPHBoard Certified Gastroenterologist Expert Interview. 24 August 2021. In some cases, your doctor may request that you stick to a special diet the day before (e. g. , no solids, only clear liquids like water, broth, and black coffee). A week or two before the test, be sure to ask your doctor about any medications you may be taking and whether you should cease taking them before the exam. In general, the exam is uncomfortable, but there are no real side effects from a barium enema, although you may experience white stools (because of the barium) or a bit of constipation. Your doctor may suggest you take a laxative if this is the case.
