Diagnosis and Treatment – Mayo Clinic

by Curavital | Dec 5, 2025 | Healthcare, Parkinsonism

Diagnosis

To diagnose indigestion, your healthcare professional asks you about your symptoms, recent meals, eating habits, medical history, life stress, exposure to anyone who is sick, and other questions. Your answers will help your healthcare professional understand the possible factors associated with your symptoms.

You also have a thorough medical examination. This includes pressing or pressing on your abdomen and listening to your abdomen with a stethoscope.

Your healthcare provider may be able to diagnose functional indigestion based on your symptoms, medical history, and exam.

H. pylori test

Your healthcare professional may order a test for H. pylori bacteria. This can be done with a tissue sample from the stomach, breath sample or stool sample.

Other tests

Other tests may be needed if your health care professional is concerned about certain symptoms or results from your exam. You may also need more tests if the first line of treatment for indigestion doesn’t help with symptoms. These tests may include:

Blood tests. Laboratory tests of blood samples can find signs of other conditions that can cause symptoms of indigestion.
Endoscopy. An endoscope is a tube with a camera that passes down the throat and into the digestive system. This test is called an endoscopy. It can show diseased or damaged tissue. Tools used during this test may also remove a small sample of tissue for laboratory testing. This test is mainly used for adults age 50 and older who have new symptoms of indigestion.
Imaging tests may show diseased tissue, blockage in the digestive system, or other irregular findings.

Treatment

A number of treatments can improve symptoms of indigestion.

Diet and medication changes

Changes in diet and possible changes in medication are the first steps to reduce symptoms. These include the following:

Avoid fatty, sour or spicy food.
Avoid caffeine, alcohol and carbonated drinks.
Avoid pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), and naproxen sodium (Aleve).
Ask your healthcare professional if any of your prescription medications may contribute to indigestion. Ask if there are alternatives.
Review your use of dietary supplements or herbal remedies with your health care professional to see if any may be contributing to your symptoms.

Mental health care

Talk therapy with a psychotherapist can help you deal with depression, anxiety and related factors that can contribute to indigestion. Prescription medications can also help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Medicines for the digestive system

Your health care professional may prescribe medications or recommend over-the-counter medications to reduce symptoms of indigestion. These may include:

Antibiotics. If you tested positive for H. pylori bacteria, treatment with antibiotics and antacids can reduce symptoms.
Proton pump inhibitors, also called PPIs, which reduces the production of acids in the stomach. These drugs are available in prescription doses and in over-the-counter doses. PPIs you can buy without a prescription include lansoprazole (Prevacid 24 HR), omeprazole (Prilosec OTC), and esomeprazole (Nexium 24HR).
H-2 receptor blockers, which also reduce acid production, are available in prescription and over-the-counter doses. H-2 receptor blockers you can buy without a prescription include cimetidine (Tagamet HB), famotidine (Pepcid AC), and nizatidine (Axid AR).
Prokinetics. These prescription drugs help the stomach empty more quickly and tighten the valve between the stomach and the esophagus.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Lifestyle changes that can be part of your routine can help reduce symptoms or prevent the return of symptoms:

Avoid fatty, sour or spicy food. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and carbonated drinks.
Eat five or six small meals a day instead of three large meals.
Avoid pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), and naproxen sodium (Aleve).
Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight.
Stop smoking if you smoke.
Avoid stressors whenever possible.
Practice meditation or other mindfulness exercises to help manage stress.

Alternative medicine

Alternative and complementary treatments that can improve symptoms of indigestion include:

Peppermint oil or a combination of peppermint and cumin oils.
A Japanese herbal formula called rikkunshito.
Acupuncture.
Yoga and mindfulness exercises.

Ask your doctor before taking supplements. Your healthcare professional can help make sure the dose is safe for you. It is also important to ensure that the supplement does not interact with other medications you are taking.

Preparation for your appointment

You’ll probably start by seeing your primary care provider. You may be referred to a doctor who specializes in digestive diseases, called a gastroenterologist. Here is some information to help you get ready for your appointment and know what to expect.

What you can do

Be aware of any restrictions before your appointment, such as not eating solid food before your appointment.
Write down your symptoms, including when they started and how they may have changed or worsened over time.
Make a list of all your medications, vitamins or supplements and dosages and reasons for taking each one.
Write down your most important medical information, including other diagnosed conditions.
Write down important personal information, including any recent changes or stressors in your life. Also include a detailed description of your typical daily diet.
Write down questions to ask under your agreement.

Some basic questions you may want to ask include: