Indigestion, sometimes called dyspepsia, is a general term covering a group of nonspecific symptoms in the digestive tract. It is often described as a feeling of fullness, bloating, nausea, heartburn, or gassy discomfort in the chest or abdomen. The symptoms develop during meals or shortly afterward. In most cases, indigestion is a minor problem that often clears up without professional treatment.

Indigestion is a widespread condition, estimated to occur in 25% of the adult population of the United States.

The symptoms associated with indigestion have a variety of possible physical causes, ranging from commonplace food items to serious systemic disorders:

• Diet. Milk, milk products, alcoholic beverages, tea, and coffee cause indigestion in some people because they stimulate the stomach's production of acid.
• Medications. Certain prescription drugs as well as over-the-counter medications can irritate the stomach lining. These medications include aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, some antibiotics, and oral contraceptives.
• Disorders...