Some people who suffer from heartburn say that they are suffering from indigestion. Though both have similar triggers, and treatment may be the same some of the time, indigestion isn’t the same as heartburn. Indigestion is an unclear feeling of discomfort and pain in the upper abdomen and chest, including a feeling of fullness and bloating, with belching and nausea. Men and women of all ages can get indigestion.
Heartburn is a common problem triggered by several things:
- Eating certain foods
- Drinking alcoholic or carbonated beverages
- Eating too fast / too much
- Eating fatty or spicy foods
- Drinking too much caffeine
- Eating too much high-fiber foods
Causes of Indigestion:
- Smoking
- Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder)
- Chronic or acute gastritis (inflammation of the stomach)
- Chronic or acute pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- Hiatal hernia
- Ulcers
- GERD
- Stomach cancer
- Stomach infections
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Thyroid disease
- Antibiotics
- Aspirin
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Indigestion can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as an ulcer or occasionally cancer, anyone experiencing the symptoms below in addition to indigestion should see a physician:
- Unplanned weight loss
- Severe pain
- Anyone over 45 who has not previously had any indigestion problems
Immediate medical attention is required for anyone who experiences either of the following symptoms:
- Vomiting with specks of blood or with blood that looks like coffee-grounds
- Vomiting fresh blood
Because indigestion general term, it’s helpful to give your physician a detailed, specific explanation of how you are feeling. Your physician can then rule out other health conditions that could be causing your symptoms through testing and diagnosing your cause of heartburn/ indigestion.