Indigestion is a feeling of fullness or vague feeling of discomfort that occurs in the upper abdomen or the chest during or immediately after ingestion of food. Generally, the discomfort is often described as a painful burning sensation in between the breastbone (sternum) and the navel. Sometimes, it is also described as a feeling of fullness that is uncomfortable. Indigestion is also referred to as dyspepsia or upset stomach. Moreover, indigestion should not be confused with heartburn, which is that burning discomfort behind the sternum that occurs due to acid reflux (or the act of the gastric material refluxing into the esophagus).
Indigestion is a common intestinal discomfort with one fifth of the population experiencing this. Normally, indigestion is not a symptom for an underlying medical problem. However, when it is present along with other symptoms such as difficulty swallowing or sudden weight loss, it may be time to seek medical advice.
With indigestion becoming so common, it must be important to differentiate its symptoms from other medical emergencies. Heart attack symptoms are sometime mistaken for indigestion, thus one must practice vigilance when practicing first aid. To learn how to recognize and differentiate between symptoms of indigestion and medical emergencies, such as heart attack, enroll in First Aid Courses and CPR Training.
Causes of indigestion
Indigestion occurs when there is contact between gastric acid and the protective mucosal lining of the digestive system. When contact occurs, the mucosal lining becomes irritated and inflamed leading to the symptoms of dyspepsia. Indigestion is usually a result of eating large amounts of food and eating too quickly. Other causes include:
- Eating fried and fatty foods
- Spicy food
- Foods that are high in fiber
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Smoking
- Emotional stress
- Nervousness
- GERD
- Gastritis
- Pancreatitis
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Presence of gallstones
- Hiatal hernia
- Stomach or intestinal ulcer
- Stomach cancer
- Lastly, certain medications including: non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin and antibiotics
Signs and symptoms
Signs and symptoms are not always for all persons. The following may occur to people:
- At first, painful, burning sensation in the upper abdomen (in between the sternum and the navel)
- Feeling of bloating during or after eating
- Abdominal distension
- In addition, belching
- Nausea
- Lastly, vomiting
First aid management
Although this is not a medical emergency, as previously mentioned, it may cause great discomfort to the individual experiencing. To help alleviate the discomfort, consider:
- Take over the counter antacids to help neutralize the gastric acid. This may ease the symptoms of indigestion
- If one prefers, one may also take omeprazole, a proton-pump inhibitor
Prevention
There are several ways to avoid or reduce the intensity of these symptoms, which include:
- Do not rush eating. Take time to chew and eat food.
- Eat small frequent meals.
- Keep an environment that is stress free while waiting.
- Avoid excitement immediately after eating.
- Do not exercise after eating.
Indigestion or dyspepsia is a feeling of fullness or discomfort that occurs in between the sternum and navel.
FACT CHECK
https://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/indigestion-overview#1
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/indigestion/symptoms-causes/syc-20352211