Print Overview Digestive system Enlarge image Close Digestive system Digestive system The major organs in the digestive system are the liver, stomach, gallbladder, small intestine and colon. Indigestion is discomfort or pain in the belly. Symptoms may include a burning pain, feeling full while eating or feeling full long after eating. Indigestion symptoms may happen once in a while or often. Indigestion may be caused by a digestive system condition. But often, there is no clear underlying cause. Frequent or long-lasting indigestion often can be treated with changes in diet and lifestyle, mental health therapy, and medicines. Indigestion also is called upset stomach or dyspepsia.Products & ServicesA Book: Mayo Clinic on Digestive Health SymptomsSymptoms of indigestion may include: Early fullness during a meal or not being able to finish a typical meal. Uncomfortable fullness that lasts longer than it should after a meal. Mild to severe pain in the upper abdomen, which is the area between the bottom of your breastbone and your belly button. Burning sensation in the upper abdomen. Bloating that feels like swelling or tightness in the upper abdomen. Feeling the need to vomit or vomiting. Burping or burping up food. Sometimes people with indigestion also experience heartburn. Heartburn is a pain or burning feeling in the center of your chest during or after eating. The pain or burning feeling may radiate into your neck or back. When to see a doctorMild indigestion usually is nothing to worry about. Talk with your healthcare professional if symptoms of indigestion last more than two weeks. Get care as soon as possible if you have indigestion and these symptoms: Severe or constant belly pain. Unintended weight loss or loss of appetite. Repeated vomiting or vomiting with blood. Black, tarry stools. Trouble with swallowing. Fatigue or weakness. A yellowing of the skin or eyes, also called jaundice. Get emergency care if you have indigestion-like symptoms that may be symptoms of a heart attack: Shortness of breath, sweating, or chest pain radiating to the jaw, neck or arm. Chest pain when you're active or stressed. Request an appointment There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email Address 1 ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. We use the data you provide to deliver you the content you requested. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, we may combine your email and website data with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, we will only use your protected health information as outlined in our Notice of Privacy Practices. You may opt out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the email. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry CausesIndigestion usually has no clear underlying medical condition as a cause. Long-lasting or frequent indigestion with no clear underlying medical cause is called functional indigestion. Many factors may contribute to or worsen functional indigestion. These include: Overeating or eating too quickly. Fatty, greasy or spicy foods. Caffeine, alcohol or carbonated beverages. Acidic foods, such as tomatoes and oranges. Anxiety, depression or trauma. Smoking. Certain antibiotics and pain relievers. H. pylori bacteria can cause ulcers in the stomach or small intestine. H. pylori may contribute to indigestion even if it has not caused an ulcer. Underlying causesSeveral conditions can cause indigestion. Underlying causes vary among different age groups. Children H. pylori infection. Other infections of the digestive system. Conditions affecting how much food the stomach can hold or how it empties. Stress. Young adults H. pylori infection. Gastroesophageal reflux disease, also called GERD, when stomach acid regularly flows back up into the esophagus. Diet. Stress. Adults ages 40 to 60 H. pylori infection. Ulcers of the stomach or small intestine. GERD. Pain medicines, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve). Adults over 60 Ulcers of the stomach or small intestine. GERD. Stomach cancer. Pain medicines, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve). Risk factorsSeveral factors can make it more likely for you to have symptoms even though they don't always cause indigestion: Eating too fast, overeating, or eating spicy, fatty, acidic or greasy foods. Too many alcoholic, caffeinated or carbonated drinks. Depression, anxiety or trauma. Smoking or using other tobacco products. Pregnancy-related hormones and pressure on the digestive system during pregnancy. Carrying extra weight, particularly around the belly. ComplicationsAlthough indigestion doesn't usually have serious complications, it can affect your quality of life. You may eat less. You also might miss work or school because of your symptoms. By Mayo Clinic Staff Indigestion care at Mayo Clinic Request an appointment Diagnosis & treatment July 03, 2025 Print Show references Indigestion (dyspepsia). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/indigestion-dyspepsia. Accessed March 3, 2025. Olson CG, et al. Current opinion: Functional dyspepsia. Current Opinion in Gastroenterology. 2024; doi:10.1097/MOG.0000000000001045. Lacy BE, et al. The treatment of functional dyspepsia: Present and future. Expert Review of Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 2023; doi:10.1080/17474124.2023.2162877. Ferri FF. Dyspepsia, nonulcerative. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2025. Elsevier; 2025. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 3, 2025. Kellerman RD, et al. Gaseousness, indigestion, nausea, and vomiting. In: Conn's Current Therapy 2025. Elsevier; 2025. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 3, 2025. Goldman L, et al., eds. Approach to the patient with gastrointestinal disease. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Elsevier; 2024. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 3, 2025. Dyspepsia. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gastrointestinal-disorders/symptoms-of-gastrointestinal-disorders/dyspepsia. Accessed March 3, 2025. Feldman M, et al., eds. Dyspepsia. In: Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 11th ed. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 3, 2025. Amerikanou C, et al. Food, dietary patterns, or is eating behavior to blame? Analyzing the nutritional aspects of functional dyspepsia. Nutrients. 2023; doi10.3390/nu15061544. Nimmagadda R. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. Dec. 2, 2024. Medical review (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. March 18, 2025. Ali RAR, et al. Review of recent evidence on the management of heartburn in pregnant and breastfeeding women. BMC Gastroenterology. 2022; doi:10.1186/s12876-022-02287-w. Related Digestion: How long does it take? Swallowing gum: Is it harmful? 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