Indigestion

Indigestion (dyspepsia) is a group of upper-belly symptoms — discomfort, fullness after eating, bloating, burping, mild nausea — often triggered by meals. It's very common and usually not serious, but occasional symptoms can overlap with heart disease, so it's worth knowing the difference.

Common triggers

• Heavy, oily, spicy, or very sour meals.
• Eating quickly or too much.
• Fizzy drinks, alcohol, coffee, smoking.
• Stress and poor sleep.
• Some medicines — NSAIDs, iron, certain antibiotics.
• Late-night meals.

Red flags — see a Health Expert

• New indigestion in someone over 40, especially if persistent.
• Unexplained weight loss.
• Difficulty or pain swallowing.
• Persistent vomiting.
• Vomiting blood, or black tarry stools.
• Severe upper-abdominal pain, breathlessness, sweating, pain going to the arm or jaw — dial 112; this can be heart attack presenting as indigestion (common in Indians, women, and people with diabetes).
• Symptoms not settling with 2-4 weeks of simple treatment.

Simple measures that help

• Eat smaller meals; eat slowly.
• Don't lie down for 2-3 hours after a meal.
• Avoid identified triggers.
• Cut smoking, alcohol, and excess caffeine.
• Raise the head of the bed 10-15 cm if symptoms worsen at night.
• Simple antacid syrups/tablets for short-term relief.
• A short course of acid-suppressing medicines may be advised by a Health Expert — long-term daily use should be reviewed regularly.

Persistent dyspepsia warrants a test for Helicobacter pylori — a bacterium that causes a lot of Indian dyspepsia and ulcers and is treatable with a short antibiotic course. Don't self-diagnose; see a Health Expert.