What is Indigestion
Indigestion is the feeling of pain or discomfort felt in the upper abdomen (dyspepsia) or burning pain felt behind the breastbone (heartburn). It is commonly experienced by many, it is usually mild and occurs occasionally.
Indigestion is usually caused when the stomach acid comes in contact with the sensitive protective lining of the digestive system, causing irritation and inflammation, resulting in various symptoms. It is largely linked to eating and drinking, but can sometimes be caused by other factors as well.
It is usually a sign of an underlying condition such as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), ulcers, gallbladder disease etc. and isn’t a condition in itself. It can occur once or recurrently, depending on its cause.
Indigestion is primarily characterised as pain and discomfort felt in the upper abdomen, known as dyspepsia, along with the closely associated sensation of burning behind the breastbone, known as heartburn. These two primary symptoms usually occur soon after eating or drinking, but there can sometimes be a delay between eating a meal and feeling indigestion.
Other commonly experienced symptoms might include;
- Feeling full or bloated
- Feeling nauseous
- Belching
- Bringing up fluid or food into the oesophagus (acid reflux)
Recurring indigestion could indicate more serious underlying health conditions such as stomach ulcers or rarely, stomach cancer. Associated factors include;
- Being 55 years or older
- Unusual weight loss
- Difficulty swallowing
- Persistent vomiting
- Iron deficiency anameia
- A lump in your stomach
- Blood in vomit or stools.
The stomach normally produces acid to aid digestion. Sometimes that acid can irritate the lining of the stomach, the top part of the bowel or oesophagus, causing indigestion, felt as a painful burning sensation. It could also come about due to the lining of the digestive system being overly sensitive to the acid or the stretching caused by eating, whereby the acid breaks down the lining, causing inflammation.
Most cases of indigestion is caused by eating or drinking, although there are numerous factors that can trigger or worsen the symptoms.
Obesity : Being overweight you are more likely to experience indigestion because of the increased pressure inside your stomach, particularly after a large meal leading to acid reflux
Medications: Some medicines to widen blood vessels, relax the oesophageal sphincter, or anti-inflammatory drugs, often trigger indigestion.
Hiatus hernia: When the stomach pushes up into the diaphragm, it may partially block the clearing of refluxed stomach acid from the oesophagus, leading to heartburn.
Helicobacter pylori infection:A very common infection, it may lead to stomach ulcers or stomach cancer. It mostly doesn't cause any symptoms, but some may result in bouts of indigestion.
GORD: It is the main cause for recurring indigestion, caused by acid reflux.
Stomach ulcers: Open sores that develop on the inside lining of the stomach or small intestine.
Stomach cancer: Sometimes recurring bouts of indigestion can be a symptom of stomach cancer, as cancer cells break down the protective lining, allowing acid to come in contact with the stomach wall.
Other conditions: Such as gallstones or gallbladder.
In most cases, indigestion is mild and infrequent, and doesn’t require treatment. If your symptoms persist and recur, causing you discomfort, consult your GP for a diagnosis.
Your GP will ask you about your symptoms and its severity, any medication you are on and lifestyle habits. A physical exam might be conducted of your abdomen, and may order further investigations to determine the underlying condition causing indigestion.
Endoscopy : If required, an endoscopy might be carried out, where a flexible tube with a small camera and light on one end is inserted inside to examine the digestive tract.
Diagnosing H pylori infection :A stool test to check for the presence of the bacteria.
Breath test: Blood test to test for antibodies to the bacteria
As indigestion is a symptom of underlying conditions, rather than a disease in itself, treatment usually depends on the condition causing it.
Most times, the symptoms pass on its own within hours without treatment. You can also treat it with simple changes to your diet and lifestyle, avoiding recurrence.
We can prescribe Antacids for immediate relief for mild to moderate symptoms of indigestion. It works by neutralizing the acid in your stomach, so it no longer irritated the lining of the digestive system.
These include Gaviscon and Peptac
