What is Indigestion?

Sufferers can experience nausea or heartburn, as stomach acid flows back up into the oesophagus. Or maybe the problem is abdominal pain or bloating. Our pages on trapped wind have more information if you are experiencing abdominal cramps. Otherwise, to relieve other symptoms check our indigestion relief page. 

Indigestion is largely a result of food not passing through your digestive tract as smoothly and comfortably as it should. Other causes of indigestion include eating too much or too quickly, eating foods that don't agree with you, and having too much or too little acid in your stomach.

If indigestion lasts for more than 2 weeks despite your best efforts, talk to your doctor. Seek immediate medical attention if you have nausea accompanied by sweating or an ache in the chest: you may be having a heart attack. Other danger signs include abdominal pain accompanied by black or bloody stools, or vomiting. (Although black stools sometimes come from iron supplements or from eating certain foods). Finally, call your doctor if you have any trouble eating, or if food won't go down.