Indigestion

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Digestive system

Dyspepsia; Uncomfortable fullness after meals

• Allow time for long meals.
• Chew food carefully and completely.
• Avoid arguments during meals.
• Avoid excitement or exercise immediately after a meal.
• Avoid chewing gum -- it may cause air swallowing.
• A calm environment and rest may help relieve stress-related indigestion.
• Avoid aspirin and NSAIDs (use acetaminophen instead). If you must take them, do so on a full stomach.
• Antacids may relieve indigestion. Stronger medications are available over-the-counter, such as ranitidine (Zantac). Your doctor may prescribe similar medications, or stronger ones such as omeprazole (Prilosec).

• Your symptoms last longer than a few days
• The pattern of indigestion symptoms changes noticeably
• You have sudden, severe abdominal pain
• You have unexplained weight loss
• You vomit blood or pass blood in the stool
• You have jaundice (yellow coloring of the skin and eyes)
• Symptoms include jaw pain, chest pain, back pain, profuse sweating, anxiety, or a feeling of impending doom (possible heart attack symptoms)

Your doctor will perform a physical examination, paying special attention to the stomach area and digestive system. The doctor will ask questions related to your indigestion. For example:

• Does it begin or get worse after eating particular foods?
• Does it begin or get worse after drinking alcoholic or carbonated drinks?
• Do you eat fast?
• Have you been overeating?
• Have you changed your diet? Have you had any spicy foods, high-fiber foods, or fatty foods? Have you had a lot of caffeine?
• What medications are you taking?
• Have you changed medications recently?
• What other symptoms do you have?
• Do you have stomach pain?
• Are you vomiting?

The following tests may be performed:

• Blood tests (depending on the suspected cause)
• Endoscopy ( EGD )
• Upper GI and small bowel series (with barium)
• Abdominal ultrasound

Review Date: 10/18/2006
Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA.Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.