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Indigestion is an upset stomach that usually happens because a person ate too much or too fast, or ate something that didn't agree with them.
Sometimes heartburn happens along with indigestion. Heartburn is another name for gastroesophageal reflux (GER). This is when stomach acid splashes up from the stomach and into the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. It usually leaves a sour or bitter taste in the mouth and can cause an uncomfortable feeling in the chest.
Indigestion (in-dih-JES-chun) and heartburn happen in people of all ages, even kids.
Someone with indigestion usually has one or more of these symptoms:
Many things can cause indigestion, also known as dyspepsia (dis-PEP-see-ah). Eating too much or too fast are top causes. This common digestive problem also can:
Usually, indigestion only happens once in a while, and goes away quickly. But call the doctor if your child gets indigestion a lot even when eating healthy foods, exercising, and getting enough sleep.
The doctor will do an exam and ask about symptoms. The doctor might order stomach X-rays or other tests to make sure the symptoms aren't from another problem.
Depending on test results and the exam, the doctor might recommend:
Talk to the doctor before giving your child any over-the-counter antacids or acid reducers. If your child also has GER, the doctor can recommend medicines to treat it.
Kids and teens might still get indigestion once in a while, even if they eat carefully. If it goes away quickly or isn't very painful, it's probably nothing to worry about.
But call the doctor if your child has indigestion along with:
These can be signs of other problems, so call the doctor right away.
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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