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Medical Author:

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.

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Medical Editor:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

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If indigestion is caused by excessive stomach acid, ulcers, GERD, esophagitis, or gastritis, a physician may prescribe potent acid blockers such as:

• omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid),
  
  
• lansoprazole (Prevacid),
  
  
• rabeprazole (Aciphex),
  
  
• pantoprazole (Protonix), or
  
  
• esomeprazole (Nexium).

A combination of antibiotics and acid blockers may be prescribed for up to several months if the underlying cause is related to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).

If the underlying cause is found to be gastroparesis, pro-motility drugs such as metoclopramide (Reglan) may be prescribed.

If the underlying cause of indigestion is found to be related to depression or anxiety, antidepressants may be prescribed.

If the underlying cause is found to be a medication you are currently taking, do not abruptly stop the medication. Work with your physician to find alternatives that will not worsen your indigestion.

It the underlying cause is caused entirely or partially by lifestyle, medications listed above may help reduce symptoms, but changes in lifestyle (for example, less stress, and quitting smoking) will produce the best results (see prevention section below).

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Abdominal Pain in Children Abdominal pain in children can range from trivial to life-threatening. Some possible causes of abdominal pain in children are: infections, food related (food al...learn more >>

Acid Reflux Disease (GERD) Acid reflux (GERD) is caused by acid backing up from the stomach. Causes of acid reflux include smoking, obesity, alcohol, medications, diet, and other medical ...learn more >>

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