Diseases and Conditions
Indigestion
Overview
Symptoms
Causes
Complications
Diagnosis
Treatment
Lifestyle and home remedies
Alternative medicine
Preparing for an appointment
Causes
Indigestion has many possible causes. Often, indigestion is related to lifestyle and may be triggered by food, drink or medication. Common causes of indigestion include:
- Overeating or eating too quickly
- Fatty, greasy or spicy foods
- Too much caffeine, alcohol, chocolate or carbonated beverages
- Smoking
- Anxiety
- Certain antibiotics, pain relievers and iron supplements
A condition known as functional or nonulcer dyspepsia, which is related to irritable bowel syndrome, is a very common cause of indigestion.
Sometimes indigestion is caused by other conditions, including:
- Inflammation of the stomach (gastritis)
- Peptic ulcers
- Celiac disease
- Gallstones
- Constipation
- Pancreas inflammation (pancreatitis)
- Stomach cancer
- Intestinal blockage
- Reduced blood flow in the intestine (intestinal ischemia)
- Diabetes
- Thyroid disease
- Pregnancy