Definition & Facts of Indigestion

What is indigestion?

Indigestion, also called dyspepsia or upset stomach, is a general term that describes a group of gastrointestinal symptoms that occur together. These symptoms most often include

• pain, a burning feeling, or discomfort in your upper abdomen
• feeling full too soon while eating a meal
• feeling uncomfortably full after eating a small amount of food
• bloating, nausea, or belching

Indigestion may happen from time to time or be chronic, happening regularly for a few weeks or months. Indigestion is not always related to eating.

Indigestion is not a disease. However, indigestion may be a sign of certain digestive tract diseases or conditions.

Sometimes digestive tract diseases such as peptic ulcers, gastritis, and stomach cancer cause chronic indigestion. However, most often doctors do not know what causes chronic indigestion. Chronic indigestion without a health problem or digestive tract disease that could explain symptoms is called functional dyspepsia.

Indigestion may be confused with other conditions, such as acid reflux, also called heartburn, or gastroparesis.

How common is indigestion?

Indigestion is a common condition, affecting up to 20% of people in the United States each year.1

Among people in the United States who see a doctor about indigestion, about 7 in 10 are diagnosed with functional dyspepsia.2

Who is more likely to have indigestion?

You are more likely to have indigestion if you

• are female
• feel stressed
• have certain health problems or digestive tract diseases
• smoke
• take certain medicines, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

In most cases, indigestion does not lead to health problems. However, having indigestion may affect your quality of life.

References

[1] Tack, J. Chapter 32: Approach to the patient with dyspepsia and related functional gastrointestinal complaints. In: Yamada’s Textbook of Gastroenterology. 7th ed. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd; 2022:560–566.

2] Aziz I, Palsson OS, Tornblom H, Sperber AD, Whitehead WE, Simren M. Epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and associations for symptom-based Rome IV functional dyspepsia in adults in the USA, Canada, and the UK: a cross-sectional population-based study. Lancet Gastroenterology Hepatology. 2018;3(4):252-262. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29396034/

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