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Condition

Indigestion

Persistent upper-abdominal discomfort, fullness, or burning — functional dyspepsia.

Overview

Indigestion (functional dyspepsia) is persistent discomfort in the upper abdomen — burning, fullness after small meals, early satiety, or bloating — without an obvious structural cause on tests. It affects nearly one in five adults at some point. Many patients have managed it for years with the wrong medicines; proper evaluation usually clarifies the picture and points to faster relief.

Common symptoms

  • Burning or pain in the upper abdomen, especially after meals
  • Feeling full quickly, even after small meals
  • Persistent bloating or belching after eating
  • Nausea without obvious cause
  • Difficulty finishing a normal-size meal
  • Symptoms that come and go for months

When to see a doctor

See us if indigestion has lasted more than a few weeks, is affecting eating or sleep, or hasn't responded to over-the-counter remedies. Anyone over 45 with new indigestion, weight loss, swallowing trouble, vomiting, or anaemia needs upper endoscopy to rule out structural causes.

How we help

We first rule out treatable causes — H. pylori, ulcers, gallstones, reflux — with targeted tests and upper endoscopy when red flags are present. For functional dyspepsia, we identify the dominant subtype (postprandial fullness vs epigastric pain) and tailor treatment with acid suppression, prokinetic medication, dietary changes, and sometimes neuromodulators. Most patients improve significantly within a few weeks.

This is general information, not a substitute for medical advice. For guidance specific to your case, please consult Dr. Ch. Saikumar or another qualified specialist.

Patient questions

Indigestion — common questions

Answers to the questions we hear most often about indigestion.

When is indigestion a sign of something serious?
Indigestion is rarely serious on its own, but red flags change the picture: weight loss, anaemia, difficulty swallowing, persistent vomiting, age over 45 with new symptoms, or a family history of stomach cancer all warrant upper endoscopy.
What is 'functional dyspepsia'?
It means indigestion symptoms — burning, fullness after small meals, early satiety — without a structural cause found on tests. It's real, treatable, and very common, affecting about 1 in 5 adults at some point.
Will antacids fix indigestion?
They help acid-related symptoms but don't address motility-type symptoms like bloating and early fullness. Proper evaluation usually leads to a more effective combination of medication and dietary changes tailored to your symptom pattern.
What dietary changes help indigestion?
Smaller, more frequent meals; avoiding very spicy, oily, or carbonated food; not eating within 2–3 hours of bedtime; eating slowly and chewing well. We tailor advice based on whether your indigestion is more burning-type or fullness-type.
Do I need an endoscopy for indigestion?
Not always. Endoscopy is recommended if you have red flags, are over 45 with new indigestion, or your symptoms haven't responded to a careful trial of medication and lifestyle change.
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