Indigestion, Functional Dyspepsia and Nausea

Indigestion (dyspepsia)

Indigestion is a feeling of discomfort or a burning feeling in the upper belly. You may also have heartburn, belching, bloating, nausea or vomiting. [1] Most people have indigestion at some point, and it is usually not a sign of anything more serious. [2] It can follow eating too much or too fast, eating high-fat foods, or eating when you are stressed, and smoking, alcohol, some medicines and ongoing stress can contribute. [1]

Often it is caused by stomach acid irritating the stomach lining or throat, which is acid reflux. [2] Indigestion can also be caused by a stomach ulcer, and less often can be a sign of something more serious such as stomach cancer. [2] Burning, repeated reflux is covered on heartburn, acid reflux and GERD, which owns GERD.

Functional dyspepsia

Functional dyspepsia means long-lasting indigestion symptoms when tests find no physical cause. In the joint American and Canadian guideline, people whose endoscopy finds no pathology are defined as having functional dyspepsia. [3] It belongs to the group of functional gut disorders, together with IBS, which doctors now call disorders of gut-brain interaction. [4][5] The same guideline suggests testing for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in people under 60 and treating it if present, and suggests an upper endoscopy for people 60 or older with new dyspepsia. [3] If symptoms persist, the guideline recommends acid-lowering medicine (PPI), then tricyclic antidepressants, then prokinetic therapy, in that order, for people who fail initial therapy or are H. pylori negative. [3]

Stomach pain and abdominal pain

Many things cause belly pain. The NHS notes that stomach ache or back pain are usually not symptoms of indigestion; they may be due to constipation. [2] Pain with gut-habit changes may be IBS; see irritable bowel syndrome and constipation. Pain that is severe, constant, or comes with vomiting, fever, blood or weight loss needs prompt care; see below.

Nausea

Nausea means feeling sick to your stomach, as if you are going to throw up. [6] Nausea is common and usually goes away on its own. [7] Possible causes include pregnancy ("morning sickness"), stomach infections, migraine, motion sickness, food poisoning, medicines including chemotherapy, GERD and ulcers, and intestinal obstruction. [6] Because of the many causes, the NHS advises not to self-diagnose. [7]

Practical self-care suggestions from the NHS: get fresh air, sip cold drinks, eat smaller more frequent meals, avoid strong-smelling, fried or greasy food, do not eat too quickly, and do not lie down soon after eating. [7] If you are also vomiting, you could become dehydrated. [7] Do not take ibuprofen or aspirin for indigestion unless prescribed, since they can make it worse. [2]

Ginger, peppermint and other remedies

Evidence labels: established recommendation = guideline or agency recommends; promising but limited = some positive human studies, small or uncertain; mixed = results differ; insufficient evidence = not enough human research.

Ginger can cause abdominal discomfort, heartburn, diarrhea and mouth irritation. [8] Peppermint oil can cause heartburn, nausea, abdominal pain and dry mouth. [9] Learn more in ginger tea, peppermint tea and psyllium, ginger and peppermint for digestion. Check medicine interactions with how interactions work and see pregnancy and breastfeeding safety if you are pregnant.

When to get help

See a clinician if you keep getting indigestion, have severe pain, have lost a lot of weight without trying, have difficulty swallowing, keep being sick, have iron-deficiency anemia, feel a lump in your stomach, or have bloody vomit or stool. [2] MedlinePlus also advises seeing a provider if indigestion lasts more than two weeks. [1] With nausea, see a doctor if it does not improve in a few days or keeps coming back. [7] Contact a provider immediately for vomiting longer than 24 hours, blood in vomit, severe abdominal pain, severe headache with stiff neck, or signs of dehydration. [6]

Chest pain that is tight or heavy, or spreads to the arm, back, neck or jaw, with shortness of breath could be a heart attack, not indigestion. In the US, call 911. [7] See digestive symptoms: red flags.