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Indigestion can be so uncomfortable. However, not all belly pain, burning sensation, or bloating is a sign of indigestion. Sometimes, these can be indicative of other underlying issues. Read to find out the distinguishing factors.

“Indigestion or dyspepsia refers to a group of symptoms like upper abdominal discomfort, bloating, early fullness during meals, nausea, and mild burning,” says Dr Mahadevan, adding that it’s often short-lived and triggered by overeating, spicy food, or stress.

Indigestion is most often related to stomach acid. This means that the condition is typically caused by acid reflux, a condition that occurs when stomach acids flow back up into the oesophagus, leading to a burning sensation in the chest.

When indigestion symptoms last for more than three months with symptoms starting at least six months before diagnosis, it is called functional dyspepsia. According toStatPearls Publishing, functional dyspepsia affects almost 40% of people worldwide, with a prevalence higher in women than in men.

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According to Dr Mahadevan, many patients assume it’s “just acidity” or a temporary issue. Cultural stigma, self-medication, or online misinformation lead to delays. This can result in disease progression, complications, or missed early diagnosis of serious diseases like Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) or gastric cancer.

Therefore, persistent symptoms; pain not relieved by antacids; unexplained weight loss; vomiting; or difficulty swallowing suggest a deeper issue. “These warrant further evaluation for conditions like ulcers, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), or even malignancies.”

While indigestion is common and even resolves on its own with proper lifestyle modifications and prescribed medications, sometimes, symptoms can indicate more serious digestive disorders. Some of the red flags include:

Ignoring these could delay the diagnosis of serious conditions like IBD, ulcers, or cancer.

If you’re someone who has or has had persistent digestive problems, here are some ways to prevent such discomfort in the long run:

• Avoid unnecessary medications like painkillers.
• Regular check-ups, especially for those with a family history of digestive issues, also help in early detection and prevention.

While it's easy to ignore stomach pain and dismiss it as indigestion, it's worthwhile to listen to your body, especially if symptoms persist or start impacting your life. Not all belly pain is harmless but ignoring them might mean missing something important. Fortunately, by paying a little more attention, getting timely checkups, and making a couple of easy lifestyle changes, most digestive conditions can be managed. Then, when things don't seem quite right, don't wait and see, get it checked. Your gut may be trying to tell you something important.