How to Get Rid of Indigestion

Last Updated: July 9, 2022 References Approved

Indigestion, or dyspepsia, is a common cause of stomach discomfort that is most often caused by eating too quickly or eating too much greasy/fatty food. However, indigestion may also be associated with more serious problems like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), an H. pylori bacterial infection, chronic stress/anxiety, obesity, or stomach ulcers.^{[1]
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National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source} Symptoms typically include abdominal pain, fullness, nausea, heartburn and bloating.^{[2]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} There are a number of ways to treat the symptoms of indigestion, and with a little preventative planning you can reduce the chances of indigestion symptoms arising in the future. Talk to your doctor before taking new medications, especially if you are pregnant, have other medical problems, or are taking other medications.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Taking Medication for Indigestion

1
Try taking an antacid. Antacids are the most commonly used over-the-counter remedy for treating the symptoms of indigestion. Antacids contain sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), and as they dissolve in the stomach they help to neutralize some of the acid that has collected there.^{[3]
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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Health information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a division of the U.S. National Institutes of Health
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- Do not take antacids within one to two hours of administering other medications, as the sodium bicarbonate may interfere with your other medicine.^{[4]
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  Mayo Clinic
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- Anyone on a low-sodium diet should talk to a doctor before taking antacids, as they contain a substantial amount of sodium.^{[5]
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  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
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- Avoid large quantities of milk and dairy products while taking antacids, as they may cause further discomfort and complications.^{[6]
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  Mayo Clinic
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- Do not take antacids if you have any symptoms of appendicitis.^{[7]
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  Mayo Clinic
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- Antacids are not recommended for long-term use. It is best to discontinue antacid use after a maximum of two weeks. If you're having chronic indigestion, talk to your doctor and consider making other lifestyle changes to reduce the incidents of indigestion.^{[8]
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  Mayo Clinic
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2
Take an H-2 receptor blocker. Over-the-counter H-2 receptor blockers, such as cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine, and ranitidine, may help reduce the production of acid in your stomach for up to 12 hours. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your doctor may also recommend a stronger, prescription-grade version of an H-2 receptor blocker.^{[9]
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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Health information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a division of the U.S. National Institutes of Health
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- Talk to your doctor if you are taking H-2 receptor blockers for more than 2 weeks.
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3
Take a proton pump inhibitor. Over-the-counter proton pump inhibitors, such as lansoprazole or omeprazole, can help block the production of stomach acid and allow the esophagus to heal, if it has been damaged by stomach acid. These medications are available over-the-counter, but depending on the severity of your symptoms your doctor may recommend that you take a prescription-strength version of a proton pump inhibitor, such as esomeprazole or pantoprazole.^{[10]
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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Health information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a division of the U.S. National Institutes of Health
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- Talk to your doctor if you're taking a proton pump inhibitor for over two weeks. You should only take OTC PPIs for short-term use. See your doctor if your indigestion is persistent.
4
Take antibiotics. If your chronic indigestion is caused by an H. pylori bacterial infection, your doctor will most likely prescribe a course of antibiotics to kill the bacteria and prevent future ulcers. Many doctors prescribe two different types of antibiotics at once to prevent the H. pylori bacteria from developing resistance to one specific type of antibiotic.^{[11]
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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Health information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a division of the U.S. National Institutes of Health
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- When taking antibiotics, it's important to strictly follow the dosage recommendations on the label and to take all of the antibiotics given to you, even if you feel better. Failure to complete a full course of antibiotics can result in the bacterial infection flaring back up, with a resistance to the antibiotics you were previously using.
5
Avoid medications that cause indigestion. Talk to your doctor about any medications you are taking that may be contributing to your indigestion. A common cause of indigestion associated with peptic ulcers is the excessive and prolonged use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin or ibuprofen.^{[12]
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National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source} One way to reduce the likelihood of future indigestion problems is by avoiding NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen if you're prone to peptic ulcers. Your doctor may recommend that you take an alternative medication that won't cause stomach ulcers, such as paracetamol, acetaminophen or a COX-2 inhibitor.^{[13]
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National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Changing How You Eat

1
Avoid foods and drinks that trigger indigestion. Some foods and drinks are more likely to cause indigestion than others. If you have frequent bouts of indigestion, you may want to try avoiding:^{[14]
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Research source}
- fatty, greasy foods
- spicy foods
- acidic foods like tomato sauce
- garlic
- onion
- chocolate
- carbonated drinks, including soda and seltzer
- caffeinated beverages
- alcohol
2
Change your meal plan. If you tend to skip meals and then eat larger portions later in the day, it may be causing your indigestion. Try eating smaller meals more frequently, and eat more slowly, giving yourself more time to thoroughly chew your food.^{[15]
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Cleveland Clinic
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3
Do not lie down after a meal. It's best to wait at least three hours after eating before you lie down, as this may cause more acid to reflux into your esophagus. When you do lie down, elevate your head by about six to nine inches to help prevent acid from entering the esophagus.^{[16]
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American Academy of Family Physicians
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Treating Indigestion Using Lifestyle Changes and Alternative Medicine

1
Manage your stress. For some people, stress can be a contributing factor towards indigestion and stomach pain. Finding ways to manage stress or relieve stress can help you feel better and may reduce your digestive problems. Try stress-relieving techniques like exercise, meditation, deep breathing, and yoga to feel better, especially before you eat.^{[17]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
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2
Drink herbal tea. A hot cup of tea can help settle the stomach, especially if the tea contains peppermint. Avoid caffeinated teas, as caffeine may further aggravate the symptoms of indigestion.^{[18]
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Harvard Medical School
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3
Try taking artichoke leaf extract. Artichoke leaf extract is believed to help stimulate the movement of bile away from the liver, which can help improve digestion. This may induce flatulence, further relieving the symptoms of indigestion. Artichoke leaf extract is available as a supplement at many pharmacies and holistic treatment centers.^{[19]
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- Be aware that some individuals have been known to suffer from allergic reactions to artichoke leaf extract. If you believe you may be susceptible to this allergy, do not take this extract under any circumstances. Talk to your doctor about learning whether you are allergic to this and other supplements.
4
Try to maintain a healthy weight. Some experts believe that excess weight can put additional pressure on the abdomen, which may contribute to acid flowing into the esophagus. Eating healthy meals and getting regular exercise will not only help you lose weight, but you may also feel less stressed, which can further reduce the symptoms of indigestion in some people.
5
Reduce your alcohol and caffeine intake. Both alcohol and caffeine are known to aggravate the symptoms of indigestion. Try to limit your consumption of both beverages, as they may be contributing to your digestive issues.^{[20]
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National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
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6
Avoid smoking. Cigarettes are a common cause of indigestion, as the smoke may affect your esophagus's ability to block the flow of stomach acid.^{[21]
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National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source} Talk to your doctor about developing a plan to help you quit smoking.
7
Consider psychological treatment options. Many people experience indigestion as a result of stress or lifestyle influences. If you believe you may be experiencing indigestion due to stress, consider relaxation techniques like meditation, or treatment options like cognitive behavioral therapy.

Warnings

See your healthcare provider if your indigestion is severe or is persistent, or recurring. You should not self-treat indigestion more than short-term. You may have an underlying problem, and your doctor may be able to improve your symptoms with prescription medications or may recommend further testing (such as blood tests or endoscopy) or procedures to improve your symptoms.

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Seek medical attention immediately if you experience sudden, sharp pains that increase in intensity, blood in your vomit or stool, unintentional weight loss, loss of appetite, trouble swallowing, fatigue, or weakness. Go to the emergency room if you have shortness of breath, chest pain radiating to the jaw, neck or arm, or chest pain when you exert yourself or feel stressed. ^{[22]
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