Symptoms

If you have indigestion, you may have:

• Early fullness during a meal. You haven't eaten much of your meal, but you already feel full and may not be able to finish eating.
• Uncomfortable fullness after a meal. The feeling of fullness lasts longer than it should.
• Discomfort in the upper abdomen. You feel a mild to severe pain in the area between the bottom of your breastbone and your bellybutton.
• Burning in the upper abdomen. You feel an uncomfortable heat or burning sensation between the bottom of your breastbone and your bellybutton.
• Bloating in the upper abdomen. You feel an uncomfortable sensation of tightness in your upper abdomen.
• Nausea. You feel as if you want to vomit.

Less frequent signs and symptoms include vomiting and belching.

Sometimes people with indigestion also experience heartburn. Heartburn is a pain or burning feeling in the center of your chest that may radiate into your neck or back during or after eating.

When to see a doctor

Mild indigestion is usually nothing to worry about. Consult your doctor if discomfort persists for more than two weeks.

Contact your doctor right away if pain is severe or accompanied by:

• Unintentional weight loss or loss of appetite
• Repeated vomiting or vomiting with blood
• Black, tarry stools
• Trouble swallowing that gets progressively worse
• Fatigue or weakness, which may indicate anemia

Seek immediate medical attention if you have:

• Shortness of breath, sweating, or chest pain radiating to the jaw, neck or arm
• Chest pain on exertion or with stress