Causes of Indigestion

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In most cases, there is no underlying medical reason that causes indigestion. It may simply be simply be triggered by eating a big meal, or food that is very spicy or rich.

Smoking, drinking a lot of alcohol and stress tend to make indigestion symptoms worse. Leaving a lot of time between eating meals can also worsen indigestion, because it allows stomach acid more time to act (when you eat, food temporarily neutralises the acid). Pregnancy can make indigestion worse as well, because your stomach is pushed upwards towards the gullet (oesophagus).

Other causes of indigestion include:

Duodenal and stomach (gastric) ulcers:

Gastric ulcers develop when the lining of the stomach or duodenum is damaged, exposing the sensitive tissue underneath. The acidic juices produced by the body to break down food irritate the sensitive tissue, causing pain, discomfort and the other symptoms associated with indigestion.

Duodenitis:

Inflammation (swelling) of the duodenum - it sometimes happens before an ulcer forms. Gastritis: Inflammation (swelling) of the stomach - it sometimes happens before an ulcer forms.

Acid reflux:

Acid reflux is when some of the acid in the stomach that is produced to digest food leaks back upwards into the oesophagus. The oesophagus is the tube that you food is passed down when you swallow, and acid from the stomach can irritate it. Oesophagitis is when stomach acid causes inflammation (swelling) in the lining of the oesophagus. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD) is the general term for acid reflex, with or without oesophagitis.

Hiatus hernia:

This is when part of the stomach pushes upwards through the opening in the diaphragm that gullet (oesophagus) passes through. This is a common cause of GORD.

Medication:

Some medicines can cause indigestion as a side effect. This often happens with anti-inflammatory medicines, which are commonly taking for arthritis, sprains and muscles pains. They sometimes irritate the lining of the stomach, leading to inflammation and ulcers.Some other types of medicine, including antibiotics, steroids and calcium antagonists can also make indigestion worse.

H. pylori:

Helicobacter pylori (commonly called H. pylori) is a type of bacteria that can infect the lining of the stomach and duodenum. Itâ€™s a very common infection and affects more than a quarter of people in the UK, although most people donâ€™t have symptoms and arenâ€™t aware they have it.

However, H. pylori can be a cause of duodenal and stomach ulcers. Doctors think this is because the bacteria alter the protective stomach and duodenum lining, so that the sensitive tissue is exposed underneath. When the sensitive tissue is comes into contact with stomach acid, ulcers can form.

More rarely, indigestion can be a symptom of stomach or oesophageal cancer.