What is Indigestion?
Indigestion is a collection of symptoms that cause discomfort in the upper abdomen (the area between the sternum and the navel). Usually these symptoms are preventable and/or treatable.
What are the causes?
- Overeating
- Eating too quickly
- Fatty or greasy foods
- Spicy foods
- Too much caffeine
- Too much chocolate
- Too many carbonated beverages
- Nervousness
- Emotional trauma
- Medications, including antibiotics, aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Stomach inflammation (gastritis)
- Pancreas inflammation (pancreatitis)
- Peptic ulcers
- Gallstones
Treatments for Indigestion:
- Over-the-counter antacids
- Medication to reduce stomach acid
- Medication to help your stomach empty more quickly
- Antibiotics
- Antidepressants
What can I do?
- Know which foods cause your child to experience indigestion and avoid them.
- Encourage regular exercise to help your child maintain a healthy weight
- Talk to your child’s doctor about avoiding medications that can irritate the stomach lining
- If the treatments listed above do not help with the symptoms your child is experiencing, call your doctor. Your child may have another medical condition in addition to indigestion.
It is important to remember the health information found on this Web site is for reference only not intended to replace the advice and guidance of your health care provider. Always seek the advice of your physician with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you think you may have a true medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
Symptoms
- Feeling full even though you have just started eating a meal
- Uncomfortable fullness after a meal
- Pain or burning in the upper abdomen
- Nausea
- Bloating