Indigestion vs. Heartburn: How to Tell the Difference

Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, describes pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen that often develops during or after eating. Symptoms can range from mild fullness to burning, bloating, nausea, or stomach pain.

Common indigestion symptoms may include:[1,2]

• Upper abdominal pain or discomfort
• Feeling overly full during or after meals
• Bloating
• Excess gas
• Burping
• Nausea
• Regurgitation
• Burning in the upper abdomen
• Acid reflux or heartburn

For some people, indigestion lasts only a few minutes. Others may experience symptoms for several hours while food moves through the digestive system.[1]

How To Treat Indigestion

Occasional indigestion may improve with simple lifestyle adjustments and over-the-counter medications. Treatment often depends on the underlying cause and severity of symptoms.

Common indigestion treatments may include:[1,2]

• Antacids to help neutralize stomach acid
• H2 blockers to reduce acid production
• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for more persistent acid-related symptoms
• Prokinetic medications to help food move through the digestive tract more efficiently
• Antibiotics if a bacterial infection such as H. pylori is present

Some people may also find relief through lifestyle and dietary changes, including:

• Eating smaller meals more slowly
• Limiting large or high-fat meals
• Avoiding trigger foods
• Reducing alcohol intake
• Avoiding smoking
• Managing stress levels
• Staying upright after eating
• Maintaining a weight range that supports overall health

Drinking water after meals may also help reduce irritation from stomach acid and support digestion in some cases.[1]

If indigestion happens frequently, worsens over time, or interferes with daily activities, a healthcare provider can help identify possible underlying digestive conditions and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

Seek medical attention promptly if indigestion occurs alongside:

• Difficulty swallowing
• Unexplained weight loss
• Vomiting
• Black stools
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath

Heartburn is a type of indigestion that causes a burning sensation in the chest. Its primary cause is acid reflux.

There are two types of acid reflux that adults can experience. These include [6]:

• GER – Occurs when stomach content makes its way back up into your esophagus.
• GERD – A chronic, long-lasting condition in which stomach acid frequently makes its way up to the esophagus. Complications can include esophagitis, esophageal stricture, Barrett’s esophagus, asthma, chronic cough, hoarseness, laryngitis, and wearing away of the tooth enamel.

As explored, digestive acid can escape the confines of the stomach and travel to either the small intestine or the esophagus. The latter occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter—the junction between the stomach and the esophagus—fails to tighten, allowing stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus. When working normally, the esophageal sphincter will temporarily relax to allow food to travel into the stomach, then tighten again.[5]

Unlike the stomach, the esophagus does not have lining to protect itself from digestive acids. So, when the stomach contents do return to the esophagus, it can irritate the tissues within the esophagus, causing pain and burning.

In addition to heartburn, symptoms of acid reflux can include hiccups, cough, hoarse voice, bad breath, bloating, and a sour taste in your mouth.[7] You may also experience more heartburn when sitting, lying down, or bending over.[7]

Several types of food can trigger heartburn, such as [5]:

• Spicy foods
• Onions
• Citrus
• Tomato products
• Fried and fatty foods
• Peppermint
• Chocolate
• Alcohol
• Carbonated water or soda
• Coffee
• Large, fatty meals

There may be some medical causes, too. For example, people who are pregnant or people taking anti-inflammatory painkillers, birth control, and/or blood pressure medications can experience lower esophageal sphincter issues, as well as people who experience [7,8]:

• High stress levels
• High progesterone and estrogen levels
• Hiatus hernia
• High body mass index (BMI)

Like generalized indigestion, heartburn can last several minutes up to several hours. It will pass once the stomach is fully emptied, meaning there are no more contents to come back up to your esophagus.[8]

If you’re just beginning to experience heartburn, two factors may play a role in its sudden occurrence, such as [8]:

• Age – It’s common for older people to experience heartburn as their muscles, like the lower esophageal sphincter, begin to weaken.
• Weight – For some people, weight gain can cause heartburn.

While acid reflux is the most common cause of heartburn, it’s not the only one. A few medical conditions can also trigger heartburn, including [8]:

• Esophageal ulcers – These are sores that arise when the lining of the gastrointestinal tract becomes eroded, often as a result of chronic acid reflux or overusing NSAIDs.
• Esophagitis – GERD, viruses, fungal infections, and certain medications can cause severe inflammation in the esophagus, called esophagitis. If the inflammation is caused by an allergy or food intolerance, it’s called eosinophilic esophagitis.
• Functional heartburn/reflux hypersensitivity – This disorder disrupts the communication between the brain and the digestive system. Symptoms of heartburn, like burning, occur without the presence of acid reflux, erosion, or inflammation.

How To Treat Heartburn

To evaluate your condition, it’s best to visit your healthcare provider. They’ll assess potential esophagus damage by conducting tests such as [8]:

• Upper endoscopy – This involves passing an endoscope into your upper gastrointestinal tract, from the esophagus to the small intestine, to identify signs of esophagitis, hernia, or Barrett’s esophagus (a precancerous condition).
• Esophageal pH test – This test involves implanting a wireless capsule into the esophagus to measure acid levels in the throat over time.

If heartburn is diagnosed, your healthcare provider will likely prescribe a heartburn medication, such as [8]:

• Antacids
• Alginates
• Histamine receptor antagonists (H2 blockers)
• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
• Antibiotics
• Topical steroids
• Low-dose neuromodulators

Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, indigestion and heartburn are different conditions.

Indigestion is a broad term that describes digestive discomfort in the upper abdomen. Heartburn is one possible symptom of indigestion and is usually linked to acid reflux.

Here’s a quick comparison:

Indigestion	Heartburn
Usually felt in the upper abdomen	Usually felt in the chest or throat
May include bloating, nausea, fullness, gas, or burping	Causes a burning sensation
Often triggered by overeating, fatty foods, stress, or digestive conditions	Commonly caused by stomach acid moving into the esophagus

Some people experience both indigestion and heartburn at the same time.

Ingestion is a generalized term that refers to a number of gastrointestinal conditions, while heartburn is one of these conditions. That said, all forms of indigestion can cause gastrointestinal discomfort, pain, and burning.

If you’re struggling with discomfort after you eat, take our at-home Food Sensitivity Test, or consult with an Everlywell healthcare provider through a telehealth visit. We’ll discuss your symptoms from the comfort of your own home and plan next steps together based on your unique needs.