Indigestion (Dyspepsia)
Dyspepsia, or indigestion, means pain or discomfort related to the digestion of food. It is a term used to cover a range of different symptoms including heart burn (where there is a sensation of acid rising up behind the breastbone) nausea, stomachache at the lower end of the breastbone (called epigastric pain), a sensation of fullness, burping or belching, pain centred on the middle of the abdomen on eating, increased tummy rumbling (called borborygmi) and flatulence (increased production of wind, called flatus, through the back passage).
There are numerous causes, from simple over-indulgence - too much food, too much alcohol, too much nicotine, too many spices, too much caffeine, and too much weight - to sinister diseases such as Cancer of the stomach. While mild cases can be managed using antacids and avoiding precipitating factors, more persistent symptoms will require investigation, particularly in those aged over 45 at the onset.
|
