Indigestion is the name for symptoms like heartburn and bloating that can happen after eating.
Symptoms of indigestion include heartburn, bloating and feeling sick.
You can often ease indigestion by changing what you eat and drink. Indigestion medicines can also help. You can get these from a pharmacy.
Indigestion is usually caused by the acid in your stomach irritating the stomach lining or your throat.
Read more on the NHS website.
Symptoms of indigestion include heartburn, bloating and feeling sick.
How to tell if you have indigestion (dyspepsia)
You can have the following symptoms after eating or drinking:
- heartburn – a painful burning feeling in the chest, often after eating
- feeling full and bloated
- feeling sick
- belching and farting
- bringing up food or bitter-tasting fluids into your mouth
Read more on the NHS website.
You can often ease indigestion by changing what you eat and drink. Indigestion medicines can also help. You can get these from a pharmacy.
Self-care
There's usually no need to see a GP about indigestion. There are some things you can do at home.
Do
cut down on tea, coffee, cola or alcohol
prop your head and shoulders up in bed – this can stop stomach acid coming up while you sleep
lose weight if you're overweight
Don't
eat 3 to 4 hours before going to bed
have rich, spicy or fatty foods
take ibuprofen or aspirin – this can make indigestion worse
smoke
Medical treatments
A pharmacist can recommend medicines to ease the burning feeling or pain that can come with indigestion.
Medicines that help reduce acid in your stomach include:
- antacids
- proton pump inhibitors
Some indigestion medicines are best to take after eating as their effects last longer. Check the information leaflet that comes with the medicines for more information.
Read more on the NHS website.
Indigestion is usually caused by the acid in your stomach irritating the stomach lining or your throat.
Read more on the NHS website.