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Indigestion
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<p>Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia or upset stomach, is a condition of impaired <a href="/facts/Digestion/sjUBmhBS">digestion</a>. Symptoms may include upper <a href="/facts/Bloating/GnjG2Mdz">abdominal fullness</a>, <a href="/facts/Heartburn/MkNPKoxS">heartburn</a>, <a href="/facts/Nausea/dyhkcbeD">nausea</a>, <a href="/facts/Belching/MdGCPyC9">belching</a>, or upper <a href="/facts/Abdominal_pain/aF6gPB0G">abdominal pain</a>. People may also experience <a href="/facts/Satiety/rx8227r0">feeling full</a> earlier than expected when eating. Indigestion is relatively common, affecting 20% of people at some point during their life, and is frequently caused by <a href="/facts/Gastroesophageal_reflux_disease/8YhncnDz">gastroesophageal reflux disease</a> (GERD) or <a href="/facts/Gastritis/YxIqy1MP">gastritis</a>. </p><p>Indigestion is subcategorized as either "organic" or "<a href="/facts/Functional_dyspepsia/axnCu0gn">functional dyspepsia</a>", but making the diagnosis can prove challenging for physicians. Organic indigestion is the result of an underlying disease, such as <a href="/facts/Gastritis/YxIqy1MP">gastritis</a>, <a href="/facts/Peptic_ulcer_disease/peMGnYCd">peptic ulcer disease</a> (an ulcer of the stomach or <a href="/facts/Duodenum/IAIgHBmq">duodenum</a>), or <a href="/facts/Cancer/PVW6n1D0">cancer</a>. Functional indigestion (previously called non-ulcer dyspepsia) is indigestion without evidence of underlying disease. Functional indigestion is estimated to affect about 15% of the general population in western countries and accounts for a majority of dyspepsia cases. </p><p>In patients who are 60 or older, or who have worrisome symptoms such as trouble swallowing, weight loss, or blood loss, an <a href="/facts/Endoscopy/L4V1fGPN">endoscopy</a> (a procedure whereby a camera attached to a flexible tube is inserted down the throat and into the stomach) is recommended to further assess and find a potential cause. In patients younger than 60 years of age, testing for the bacteria <i><a href="/facts/Helicobacter_pylori/9q4H68LP">H. pylori</a></i> and if positive, treatment of the infection is recommended. </p>