Some Causes and Features of Indigestion
Cause | Common Features* | Tests |
|---|---|---|
Cancer (such as cancer of the esophagus or stomach cancer) | Chronic, vague discomfort Later, dysphagia with esophageal cancer or early satiety with stomach cancer Weight loss | Upper digestive tract endoscopy (examination of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum using a flexible viewing tube called an endoscope) CT of the abdomen |
Change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, bloating, or greasy stools Iron deficiency anemia that has no other cause | Blood tests Endoscopic biopsy of tissue from the small intestine | |
Coronary ischemia (inadequate blood flow to the coronary arteries) | Sometimes in people who have symptoms when exerting themselves Risk factors for heart disorders (such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and/or high cholesterol levels) | Electrocardiography (ECG) Blood tests Sometimes stress testing |
Medications (such as bisphosphonates, erythromycin and other macrolide antibiotics, estrogens, iron, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs], and potassium) or illicit drugs | In people who are taking a medication that can cause indigestion Symptoms occur shortly after taking the medication | A doctor’s examination |
Sometimes difficulty swallowing liquids and solids | ||
Heartburn and/or sometimes reflux of acid or stomach contents into mouth Symptoms sometimes triggered by lying down Relief with antacids | A doctor's examination Sometimes trying treatment with medications to suppress acid production Sometimes endoscopy of the upper digestive tract Sometimes pH testing of the esophagus (pH is a measure of acidity) | |
Burning or gnawing pain occurring before meals that may be relieved by eating food or taking antacids, histamine-2 (H2) blockers, or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) May awaken people at night | A doctor's examination Sometimes endoscopy of the upper digestive tract Sometimes testing for Helicobacter pylori infection | |
Poor stomach emptying (gastroparesis)—usually due to other disorders such as diabetes, connective tissue disorders, and/or neurologic disorders | Nausea, abdominal pain, and sometimes vomiting Early satiety Sometimes in people who are known to have a causative disorder | Endoscopy of the upper digestive tract and/or nuclear scanning to evaluate stomach emptying |
* Features include symptoms and the results of the doctor's examination. Features mentioned are typical but not always present. Features overlap between causes. | ||
CT = computed tomography. | ||