Indigestion: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

What is indigestion?

Indigestion, or dyspepsia, is a common digestive issue that most people experience at some point. It’s often linked to certain foods or drinks and usually isn’t a cause for concern. While indigestion can often be treated at home with simple remedies, frequent or severe symptoms may indicate an underlying condition that requires medical attention

What are the symptoms of indigestion?

The key symptom of indigestion is heartburn, a burning sensation in the chest that may come with an acidic taste in the mouth. Other symptoms include:

  • Feeling full or bloated after eating

  • Nausea

  • Flatulence (excessive gas)

It's rare for indigestion to cause sharp stomach pain or back pain; these symptoms are more likely related to other conditions so you should speak to a healthcare professional if you experience these symptoms.

Close-up of a man's hand resting on his chest over a checked shirt

What causes indigestion?

Indigestion occurs when stomach acid irritates the lining of the digestive system. Several factors can trigger symptoms, including:

  • Eating spicy, fatty, or acidic foods

  • Consuming alcohol

  • Using medications like aspirin or ibuprofen

For most people, indigestion is an occasional discomfort. However, persistent indigestion may be linked to underlying conditions such as:

Indigestion is also a common symptom during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and pressure on the stomach.

Man holding both hands on his stomach, seated outdoors

How can I treat indigestion at home?

Most bouts of indigestion can be managed with over-the-counter remedies including:

 

 Treatment

 What it does 

 Antacids 

These neutralise stomach acid and provide quick relief from burning pain.  

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)

Medications like omeprazole, available over the counter, reduce acid production and can be taken for up to four weeks. 

How can I prevent indigestion?

If you’re prone to indigestion, these lifestyle changes can help reduce symptoms:

  • Avoid known triggers such as coffee, alcohol, spicy foods, and chocolate

  • Eat at least three hours before lying down or going to bed

  • Sleep with your head elevated to reduce acid reflux

  • Quit or reduce smoking, as it worsens symptoms

  • Avoid ibuprofen or aspirin, which can irritate the stomach lining

  • Manage stress through relaxation techniques like mindfulness or yoga

When Should You Speak to a GP or Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP)?

Although indigestion is often harmless, certain symptoms warrant a consultation with a clinician:

  • Persistent or very painful indigestion.
  • Difficulty swallowing or a sensation of a lump in the stomach.
  • Vomiting or the presence of blood in vomit or stools.
  • Unexplained weight loss.
  • Iron-deficiency anaemia.
  • Symptoms lasting longer than expected or recurring frequently.

If bacterial infections like Helicobacter pylori are identified, antibiotics may be prescribed. Clinicians might also recommend long-term PPIs or H2 receptor antagonists to manage symptoms effectively.

If you’re looking for over-the-counter medication to help with indigestion, consult your pharmacist for advice.

Frequently asked questions

Here are direct answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about indigestion.

Indigestion is often described medically as functional dyspepsia — meaning there’s no single visible cause, but the way your stomach empties and moves food becomes disrupted. This can show up as postprandial distress (discomfort after eating), epigastric pain in the upper stomach area, bloating, early satiety (feeling full too quickly), or belching. Some people also regurgitate small amounts of food or acid, or notice their stomach distend and delay emptying — in rarer cases this can be caused by gastroparesis, a more lasting motility problem — while food that isn’t broken down properly can ferment in the gut.

Indigestion and heartburn are closely linked to acid reflux, and reflux-related symptoms can sometimes point to GORD (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease). This acid-induced irritation can range from acute, one-off episodes to more chronic or recurrent patterns. Some people have non-erosive reflux disease, where the lining looks normal despite symptoms, while others develop erosive or ulcerating changes — peptic damage that a clinician can identify. When symptoms don’t respond to standard treatment, this is known as refractory indigestion and may need further investigation.

If tests show a Helicobacter pylori infection, your clinician may prescribe antibiotics to eradicate H. pylori, since this can otherwise exacerbate symptoms long-term. Sometimes no clear cause is found even after doctors diagnose and investigate further — this is described as idiopathic or functional indigestion. In these cases, treatment tends to be symptom-related, focusing on managing what you’re experiencing rather than a single underlying cause.

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