What is indigestion?
Indigestion is a general term used to describe burning pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen or chest, usually after meals. It is also called ‘dyspepsia’. Almost everyone experiences occasional attacks of indigestion, which are usually quite brief.

What are the symptoms and causes of common indigestion?
You may feel blown out or distended after a large meal, and get some relief when you bring up wind. Most of this wind comes from swallowing air while eating, but some is produced by a chemical reaction in the stomach or from fizzy drinks.

How can I avoid indigestion?
Eat less.
Eat more slowly.
Don’t eat large high-fat meals.
Don’t drink too many fizzy drinks.
Don’t drink a lot of high-caffeine drinks.
Avoid foods that have given you indigestion in the past.

Is occasional indigestion normal?
Everyone experiences occasional digestive upsets such as temporary indigestion, flatulence or sudden changes in bowel movements. These are normal and are often caused because you have changed your diet, lifestyle or routine.

How should I manage occasional mild indigestion?
If you have anything more than the occasional mild attack and simple self-help measures don’t solve the problem, you should make an appointment to see your GP.

What lifestyle changes can help?
If you have recently had one or two attacks of mild indigestion it is worth trying to make some changes in your lifestyle so that you are gentler on your stomach.
If you smoke you should stop.
Eat meals at regular times.
Do not rush meals.
Enjoy eating and drinking, but do so in moderation.
Avoid those foods you associate with indigestion.
Cut down on fatty foods.
Increase the amount of fibre in your diet.
Don’t take aspirin for headaches, colds and coughs – take paracetamol instead.
Stomachs like routine and work better when you eat three or four meals at the same times every day.
Try to avoid stress.

Is over-the-counter medication useful?
If you have no worrying symptoms (see When should I go to the doctor?) you could try treating your mild, infrequent indigestion yourself. It’s not easy to choose the most suitable over-the-counter medication so you should ask your pharmacist for advice.
There are several different types of indigestion remedies that you can buy over-the-counter without a prescription.

How do antacids work?
These are alkalis that neutralise the acid in your stomach for a short time. Generally, they have no harmful effects, but some of them can sometimes cause constipation or diarrhoea.
Be sure to tell your pharmacist if you are taking any other medications before you choose what product to buy. This is especially true if you have heart disease, kidney disease or high blood pressure as many antacids contain salt.
Some antacids produce gas as they work and may cause belching.

How can I protect the lining of my stomach and oesophagus?
Some medications protect the linings of the stomach and the oesophagus. Most of this group of drugs contain alginate (made from seaweed) that floats on the stomach contents and, if you get gastro-oesphageal reflux they soothe the lining of the oesophagus.
These drugs usually contain antacid and may contain salt, so talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using them if you have other medical conditions or take other medications.

What are antispasmodics?
Alverine citrate and peppermint oil are examples of drugs that reduce the tension in the muscle wall of the stomach. Chewing gum that contains peppermint has a similar effect. These drugs can be useful if you suffer from a nervous stomach or trapped wind; they are natural products and have no significant side effects.

What drugs can I take to reduce the amount of acid my stomach produces?
It takes a very powerful drug to reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces and they are usually only available on prescription from your doctor.
Some acid-suppressing drugs, are known as H2-receptor antagonists. Examples include cimetidine (Geramet and Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), ranitidine (Zantac, Pylorid and Gertac).

When should I go to see my doctor?
If your indigestion symptoms persist or get worse, of if you develop new digestive symptoms which you have not had before, these may be caused by a digestive disorder which needs treatment.

How can I recognise abnormal symptoms?
You should see your doctor if you experience the following symptoms, particularly if they are unexpected or persistent:
Abdominal pain before or after meals
Persistent feeling of fullness, boating or flatulence
Nausea or vomiting
Pain or difficulty swallowing
Loss of appetite
Continued unexplained weight loss
Indigestion developing for the first time in mid or later life
Persisting diarrhoea, constipation or any alteration in bowel habits
Change in your stools (bowel motions), especially if they become black, dark red, pale or contain mucous (slime)
Bleeding when you pass a stool
Pain when you pass a stool
Feeling that your bowels are emptying incompletely
Generally feeling tired, lethargic or unwell in association with any abdominal symptoms.

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