Indigestion

Diagnosis

Diagnosing indigestion involves discussing your symptoms, recent meals, eating patterns, lifestyle factors and medical history with your healthcare professional. You also undergo a physical exam that may include pressing on the abdomen and listening to digestive sounds. Functional indigestion can often be diagnosed solely through symptoms, history and physical exam findings.

H. pylori testing may be recommended to identify infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria. This can be done using a stomach tissue sample, a breath test or a stool sample.

Additional tests may be needed if symptoms are concerning, persistent or unresponsive to initial treatment. These may include:

• Blood tests to check for conditions that may cause indigestion

• Endoscopy to view the digestive tract and collect tissue samples if needed

• Imaging tests to detect diseased tissues, blockages or other irregularities

Treatment

Multiple treatment options can help reduce symptoms of indigestion and improve overall comfort.

Dietary adjustments and medication review are often the first steps. These may include:

• Avoiding fatty, acidic and spicy foods

• Avoiding caffeine, alcohol and carbonated beverages

• Avoiding aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen sodium

• Reviewing prescription medicines for possible contributors

• Evaluating supplements or herbal remedies that may worsen symptoms

Mental healthcare may play a role for those with anxiety, depression or stress-related digestive concerns. Talk therapy or prescription medicines for mental health can support symptom improvement.

Medicines for the digestive system may also be recommended, including:

• Antibiotics for H. pylori infection paired with acid-reducing medicines

• Proton pump inhibitors to reduce stomach acid

• H-2-receptor blockers to control acid production

• Prokinetic medicines to help the stomach empty more quickly and support esophageal valve function