Brandon was having a great day. He got an "A" on his
math test, the girl he likes had said "hi" to him, and,
for lunch, he had an awesome steak sandwich with cheese, peppers,
and lots of onions.
But later that afternoon, in social studies, he felt a burning
sensation in the back of his throat. His chest and stomach started
to hurt, too. Brandon had a mean case of ... indigestion!
What Is Indigestion?
Indigestion (say: in-dih-
jest
-shun) is just another name for an upset stomach. (It's also
called dyspepsia (say: dis-
pep
-see-ah.) Indigestion usually happens when people eat too much, too
fast, or foods that don't "agree" with them. It's
fair to say that big cheesesteak sandwich didn't agree with
Brandon!
Brandon had a little heartburn with his indigestion. It
doesn't mean there was anything wrong with his
heart
. Heartburn is a burning feeling that travels from a person's
chest up to the neck and throat. It's caused by stomach acid,
which isn't a problem unless it gets out of your stomach.
With heartburn, stomach acid splashes up and irritates the
esophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the
stomach. Also called acid indigestion, this usually leaves a sour
or bitter taste in the person's mouth.
Indigestion and heartburn are common problems for both kids and
grownups. That's why you see all those commercials for
heartburn and indigestion medicines on TV! But don't take any
medicine for indigestion unless your parents or doctor says
it's OK. Most of the ones that are advertised on TV are meant
for adults, not kids.
Stress, not enough sleep, smoking, or drinking alcohol also can
make indigestion worse.
Digestive problems, such as
ulcers
, can cause the symptoms of indigestion and heartburn, too. But
they're not common in kids.
Do I Have It?
In addition to heartburn, if you have indigestion, you'll
probably have one or more of the following symptoms:
- pain or burning in your upper belly - usually in the
middle
- nausea (feeling sick to your stomach)
- bloating (that too-full feeling where your stomach sticks
out)
- burping that you have a hard time controlling
When to Go to the Doctor
Usually, indigestion only happens once in a while, like after
eating one too many hot dogs.
But you'll want to see the doctor if you get indigestion
even when you're eating healthy foods, exercising, and getting
enough sleep.
You may need to be examined, have stomach
X-rays
or other tests to make sure your indigestion is not the sign of
another problem in your digestive tract. Depending on what the
doctor finds, you might need to make changes in your diet or take
medicine.
Be sure to tell your parent right way if you:
- throw up (or
vomit
), especially if you ever see blood in your throw up
- think you're losing weight
- have no appetite for more than a day
- ever feel short of breath
- sweat for no reason
- have belly pain that won't go away or feels really
bad
- have poop (bowel movements) that look black or sticky or you
see blood in the toilet or on the toilet paper after you
wipe
Indigestion Prevention
Some people can eat anything and they never get upset stomachs.
But other people are more sensitive to food and they might find
certain ones just don't agree with them. If you discover one of
these foods, it's best not to eat a lot of them or skip them
entirely. (For Brandon, the problem was the onions on his
cheesesteak!)
In addition to avoiding problem foods, it's a good idea to
eat several smaller meals instead of a couple really big ones. Here
are some other tips to prevent indigestion:
- As much as possible, avoid fatty, greasy foods, like fries
and burgers.
- Avoid too much chocolate.
- Eat slowly.
- Don't
smoke
- or don't start smoking!
- Find ways to relax and decrease stress.
- Give your body a chance to digest food. Don't eat a huge
meal and immediately go to sports practice. Try to eat at least
an hour beforehand, or eat afterward.
You might do all these things, but still get indigestion once in
a while. If you do, just remember to say "excuse me" if
it makes you
burp
!
Reviewed by:
Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: November 2007
Originally reviewed by:
Barbara P. Homeier, MD
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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