Definition & Facts of Indigestion

In this section:

What is indigestion?


  • pain, a burning feeling, or discomfort in your upper abdomen
  • feeling full too soon while eating a meal
  • feeling uncomfortably full after eating a meal

Indigestion may be

  • occasional—happening once in a while
  • chronic—happening regularly for a few weeks or months
  • functional—having chronic symptoms without a specific cause

Indigestion is not a disease. However, indigestion may be a sign of certain digestive tract diseases or conditions. Indigestion is not always related to eating.

Sometimes digestive tract diseases such as peptic ulcer disease, gastritis, and stomach cancer cause chronic indigestion. However, most often doctors do not know what causes chronic indigestion. Chronic indigestion without a health problem or digestive tract disease that could explain symptoms is called functional dyspepsia.

How common is indigestion?

Indigestion is a common condition, affecting about 1 in 4 people in the United States each year.1

Of those people with indigestion who see a doctor, almost 3 in 4 are diagnosed with functional dyspepsia.2

Who is more likely to get indigestion?

You are more likely to get indigestion if you

  • drink
    • too many alcoholic beverages
    • too much coffee or too many drinks containing caffeine
  • eat
    • too fast or too much during a meal
    • spicy, fatty, or greasy foods
  • feel stressed
  • have certain health problems or digestive tract diseases
  • smoke
  • take certain medicines

What are the complications of indigestion?

In most cases, indigestion does not have complications, although it may affect your quality of life.


November 2016
