INDIGESTION

GROUP 10
THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
INTRODUCTION

 Indigestion — also called dyspepsia or an upset stomach — is a general term

that describes discomfort in your upper abdomen. Indigestion is not a disease,
but rather some symptoms you experience, including abdominal pain and a
feeling of fullness soon after you start eating.
 Although indigestion is common, each person may experience indigestion in a
slightly different way. Symptoms of indigestion may be felt occasionally or as
often as daily.
 Indigestion can be a symptom of another digestive disease. Indigestion that
isn't caused by an underlying disease may be eased with lifestyle changes and
medication.
 Indigestion is often a sign of an underlying problem, such as gastroesophageal
reflux disease (GERD), ulcers, or gallbladder disease, rather than a condition
of its own.
WHAT IS INDIGESTION?

 Indigestion is a term that describes a feeling of fullness or

discomfort in the upper abdomen.
 Signs of indigestion may be vague but can also include
belching, heartburn, bloating, and nausea.
 Also called dyspepsia (and non-acid dyspepsia), it is a
common symptom caused by many conditions and is not a
disease unto itself.
 Some investigators suggest heartburn and indigestion are
closely related, others separate these two conditions.
What Does Indigestion Feel Like?

 Indigestion is an uncomfortable feeling in your upper

abdomen.
 It may feel like fullness, pain, or burning in that area.
 You may also feel bloated or nauseated.
Symptoms

 Abdominal pain,
 Heartburn or acid indigestion (acid reflux)
 Bloating
 Gas
 Nausea
 Acidic taste in the mouth
 Stomach discomfort
 Constipation or diarrhea, and
 Decreased appetite
SYMPTOMS

 People with indigestion may have one or more of the following symptoms:
 Early fullness during a meal. You haven't eaten much of your meal, but you
already feel full and may not be able to finish eating.
 Uncomfortable fullness after a meal. Fullness lasts longer than it should.
 Discomfort in the upper abdomen. You feel a mild to severe pain in the area
between the bottom of your breastbone and your navel.
 Burning in the upper abdomen. You feel an uncomfortable heat or burning
sensation between the bottom of your breastbone and your navel.
 Bloating in the upper abdomen. You feel an uncomfortable sensation of
tightness due to a buildup of gas.
SYMPTOMS

 Nausea. You feel as though you want to vomit.

 Less frequent symptoms include vomiting and belching.
 Sometimes people with indigestion also experience heartburn, but heartburn
and indigestion are two separate conditions.
 Heartburn is a pain or burning feeling in the center of your chest that may
radiate into your neck or back during or after eating.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INDIGESTION AND
HEARTBURN
INDIGESTION
 Eating too fast
 Eating too much
 Too much coffee or alcohol
 Eating fatty or spicy foods
 Smoking
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INDIGESTION AND
HEARTBURN
HEARTBURN
 COFFEE OR ALCOHOL
 MEDICATION
 CARBONATED DRINKS
 CHOCOLATE
 ACIDIC JUICES
 ACIDIC FOOD
CAUSES OF INDIGESTION

 Ulcers
 GERD
 Stomach cancer (rare)
 Gastroparesis (a condition where the stomach doesn't empty properly; this
often occurs in people with diabetes)
 Stomach infections
 Irritable bowel syndrome
 Chronic pancreatitis
 Thyroid disease
 Pregnancy
CAUSES OF INDIGESTION

 Swallowing excessive air when eating may increase the symptoms of belching
and bloating, which are often associated with indigestion.
 Sometimes people have persistent indigestion that is not related to any of
these factors. This type of indigestion is called functional, or non-ulcer
dyspepsia.
MEDICATIONS FOR INDIGESTION

 Aspirin and other painkillers, such as NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), and
naproxen (Naprosyn)
 Estrogen and oral contraceptives
 Steroid medications
 Certain antibiotics
 Thyroid medicines
 Eating too much, eating too fast, eating high-fat foods, or eating during stressful
situations
 Drinking too much alcohol
 Cigarette smoking
 Stress and fatigue
 Indigestion is not caused by excess stomach acid.
TREATMENT

Lifestyle changes may help ease indigestion. Your doctor may recommend:
 Avoiding foods that trigger indigestion
 Eating five or six small meals a day instead of three large meals
 Reducing or eliminating the use of alcohol and caffeine
 Avoiding certain pain relievers, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB,
others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve)
 Finding alternatives for medications that trigger indigestion
 Controlling stress and anxiety
 If your indigestion persists, medications may help. Over-the-counter antacids
are generally the first choice.
HOME REMEDIES FOR INDIGESTION
TREATMENT

 Roton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which can reduce stomach acid. PPIs may be
recommended if you experience heartburn along with indigestion.
 H-2-receptor antagonists (H2RAs), which can also reduce stomach acid.
 Prokinetics, which may be helpful if your stomach empties slowly.
 Antibiotics, if H. pylori bacteria are causing your indigestion.
 Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications, which may ease the discomfort
from indigestion by decreasing your sensation of pain.