According to Guts UK, one or two people in every five suffer from indigestion at some point. Indigestion covers a wide range of symptoms, including pain or discomfort in your upper belly (dyspepsia) or a burning feeling behind your breastbone (heartburn).
This article will explore the causes of indigestion, how long indigestion typically lasts and when it might be a sign of a more serious issue.
What is indigestion?
Indigestion occurs when stomach acid comes into contact with the lining of your digestive system, causing inflammation and discomfort.
What are the symptoms of indigestion?
Everyone’s indigestion symptoms are different and can range from discomfort to severe pain.
The most common symptoms of indigestion can include feeling full or bloated, stomach pain, burping, regurgitating food or fluid, nausea or vomiting and diarrhoea. It can also leave you with an acidic taste in your mouth.
What are the common causes of indigestion?
Diet
Eating too much, or too fast, or eating food that’s spicy or high in fat is a common cause of indigestion. Eating with your mouth open and swallowing air can also cause you to burp, which is another form of indigestion.
H pylori and peptic ulcers
For about 8 in 100 people who suffer with indigestion, a common cause is a stomach ulcer, caused by an infection called Helicobacter pylori (H pylori). This affects the lower part of the stomach and can cause inflammation of the stomach lining.
Ulcers are common in people who smoke or take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and aspirin. Peptic ulcer disease can also run in families.
How long does indigestion usually last?
The symptoms of indigestion can last from a few minutes to a few hours, but most of the time, it subsides after a couple of hours.
When should you seek medical help?
For most people, bouts of indigestion are mild, only occur occasionally and can be easily managed. Very rarely, indigestion can be a symptom of a more serious issue, such as gallstones or pancreatic disease.
While it’s unlikely that your indigestion is a symptom of these conditions, you should speak to your GP or a Gastroenterologist if you experience the following symptoms:
- Persistent indigestion
- Ongoing pain
- Frequent vomiting
- Unintentional weight loss
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- A lump in your stomach
If you notice any blood in your vomit or stools, you should seek medical advice as soon as possible.
What are the best treatments for indigestion?
If you only suffer occasionally with indigestion, you can usually treat indigestion by making simple changes to your diet and lifestyle, for example maintaining a healthy weight, stopping smoking, eating less fatty and spicy food, and cutting down on caffeinated drinks and alcohol. Our nutritional therapy service offers a personalised approach healthier nutrition choices and lifestyle habits.
Get the recommended amount of sleep
If you notice that your indigestion is worse at night, avoid eating for three to four hours before you go to bed. Try using a couple of pillows to prop up your head and shoulders; this should help prevent stomach acid moving into your oesophagus while you sleep.
Reduce stress and anxiety
It’s well known that the brain and gut are connected, so stress or anxiety can also contribute to indigestion symptoms. Relaxation, yoga and breathing exercises can all help destress your body and mind.
If you’ve lived with stress or anxiety for a long time, we would recommend speaking to your GP about a referral to a psychologist.
Check out our helpful article for ideas on how to reduce stress.
Review prescription medication with your GP
If you’re taking medication for a health condition, you can speak to your GP about making a change to your medication if you believe it might be contributing to your indigestion symptoms.
Don’t stop taking prescribed medication without first speaking to your doctor.
Take an over-the-counter antacid
The symptoms of indigestion can also be treated with antacids and alginates. Antacids are available in tablet and liquid form and work by neutralising the acid in your stomach, so that it doesn’t irritate your oesophagus. However, the effects of the antacid usually only last a few hours.
What should I do if indigestion symptoms persist?
If your symptoms persist, your clinician may ask you for a blood or stool sample to conduct an H pylori test. If positive, they may prescribe a course of antibiotics and an antacid. If there’s no improvement, they can refer you for further tests, including a gastroscopy.
A gastroscopy uses a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope to look at your oesophagus, stomach and first part of the small intestine (the duodenum).
Help and support for good digestive health
Now you can access our gut health hub, your go-to resource to take control of your digestive health and wellbeing:
- Expert-reviewed guides to a good gut
- Consultant-led videos
- Nutritional therapy advice
- Treatment options for upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) conditions
Treatment for indigestion at Benenden Hospital
If your quality of life is being affected by indigestion, our gastroenterology service provides discreet diagnosis and treatment.
Book an appointment with one of our expert Consultant Gastroenterologists using our online booking tool or by calling 01580 363158 - or request a callback by completing our online enquiry form.
Published on 17 March 2025