In most cases, indigestion is mild and only occurs occasionally. However, severe indigestion can sometimes cause complications, some of which are outlined below.

Oesophageal stricture

Indigestion is often caused by acid reflux, which occurs when stomach acid leaks back up into your oesophagus (gullet) and irritates its lining (mucosa). If this irritation builds up over time, it can cause your oesophagus to become scarred. This scarring can eventually lead to your oesophagus becoming narrow and constricted (known as oesophageal stricture).

If you have oesophageal stricture, you may have symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, food becoming lodged in your throat, and chest pain. It is often treated using surgery to widen your oesophagus.

Pyloric stenosis

Like oesophageal stricture, pyloric stenosis is caused by long-term irritation of the lining of your digestive system from stomach acid. Pyloric stenosis occurs when the passage between your stomach and your small intestine (known as the pylorus) becomes scarred and narrowed. This causes vomiting and prevents any food you eat from being properly digested.

In most cases, pyloric stenosis is treated using surgery to return the pylorus to its proper width.

Peritonitis

Chronic (long-term) indigestion can break down and infect the lining of your intestinal tract (peritoneum), which is known as peritonitis. This usually occurs if there is a tear or other damage to your peritoneum, which can be caused by repeated exposure to stomach acid.

Peritonitis can be treated using surgery to repair the damage to your peritoneum, and antibiotics may sometimes be used to clear the infection.

Self help

For most mild cases of indigestion, treatment from your doctor is not needed and making certain changes to your diet and lifestyle can control your symptoms. Even if you are taking treatment for indigestion, making these changes may help to ease your symptoms and keep them from recurring.

Lose weight if you are overweight or obese

Being overweight, or obese, means that more pressure is put on your stomach, which makes it easier for stomach acid to be pushed up into your oesophagus (gullet). This is known as acid reflux, and is one of the most common causes of indigestion.

If you are either overweight, or obese, it is important to lose weight safely and steadily through regular exercise and by eating a healthy, balanced diet.

Stop smoking

If you smoke, the chemicals that you inhale in cigarette smoke may be contributing to your indigestion. These chemicals can cause the ring of muscle that separates your oesophagus (gullet) from your stomach to relax, allowing stomach acid to leak back up into your gullet more easily (acid reflux).

As well as helping to cause indigestion, smoking increases your risk of developing lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis (infection of the main airways of the lungs), emphysema (damage of the small airways of the lungs), as well as heart disease and stroke.

Diet and alcohol

You should avoid any food and drink that makes your indigestion symptoms worse. For example, this may mean eating less rich, spicy and fatty foods, and cutting down on drinks that contain caffeine, such as tea, coffee and cola. You should also avoid drinking alcohol if it is aggravating your indigestion symptoms and making them worse.

Avoid eating before bed

If you tend to experience indigestion symptoms at night, try to avoid eating or drinking anything for between 3-4 hours before you go to bed.

Going to bed with a full stomach means that the acid in your stomach will be more likely to be forced up into your oesophagus (gullet) while you are lying down.

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