Heartburn/Indigestion

Dyspepsia is pain or discomfort in the upper part of the abdomen.  The symptoms of dyspepsia include: 

•  Heartburn (burning, painful feeling at the chest or throat) 
•  Bloating 
•  Pain in the upper abdomen 
•  Nausea and vomiting 
•  Burping 
•  Early sense of fullness after eating 

Dyspepsia is often related to other diseases such as:  

•  Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
   Disease where the stomach acid flow back up the gullet and causing symptoms such as heartburn 
•  Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)
   Sores/ulcers in the stomach, lower gullet and small intestine 
•  Problems with the pancreas or bile duct 
•  Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) 
•  Stomach cancer (rare) 

The chance of getting dyspepsia increases if you: 

•  drink a lot of alcohol 
•  take certain medicines such as aspirin 
•  often feel stressed or anxious 
•  have other stomach problems such as ulcer 

What you can do 

•  Avoid large meals and overeating 
•  Avoid lying down 2 hours after eating 
•  Avoid drinking too much coffee, carbonated drinks, and/or alcohol 
•  Avoid tight fitting clothing and belts  
•  Avoid stooping/bending down too much 
•  Get enough rest  
•  Try to decrease emotional as well as physical stress 

When to see a doctor 

•  Frequent vomiting/blood in vomit 
•  Weight loss or loss of appetite 
•  Black sticky stools 
•  Difficult or painful swallowing 
•  Shortness of breath, sweating, or pain that spreads to the jaw, neck, or arm 
•  Symptoms that lasts for more than 2 weeks or does not improve after taking medicines 

Updated in Nov 2018