Pediatrics - Indigestion
Introduction
Indigestion is a common condition and affects people of all ages. Indigestion can occur for many reasons. The consumption of certain foods, medications, cigarette smoking, and drinking alcohol can contribute to indigestion. Indigestion can be a symptom of stress. Some cases of indigestion resolve without treatment. Indigestion may be relieved with medications, lifestyle changes, and by treating any underlying medical conditions.Anatomy
Causes
Emotional trauma, anxiety, and depression can contribute to indigestion. It can also be caused by some medications including antibiotics, steroids, thyroid medications, aspirin, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In some cases, indigestion is a symptom of an underlying medical condition including symptomatic ulcers, nonulcer dyspepsia, stomach infection, GERD, irritable bowel disease, inflammatory bowel disease, pregnancy, thyroid disease, and inflammation of the stomach, gallbladder, or pancreas.
Symptoms
Diagnosis
An Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Series or Barium Swallow provides a set of X-rays showing the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Before the X-rays are taken, barium, a chalky substance, is swallowed. The barium provides an image of the upper gastrointestinal structures on the X-ray images. A barium swallow is commonly used to determine the cause of abdominal pain, swallowing problems, blood stained vomit, and/or unexplained weight loss. A barium swallow is an outpatient procedure that does not require sedation or anesthesia.
Treatment
Prevention
Your child may need to forgo certain foods. Children should not consume alcohol or smoke cigarettes. It can be helpful for your child to change the way he or she eats, such as eating slower and eating small meals. It can also be helpful to avoid lying down or exercising right after a meal.
Am I at Risk
Indigestion is very common and experienced by people of ages. Cigarette smoking and consuming certain foods, medications, and alcohol can increase your child’s risk of having indigestion. Stress and certain medical conditions can also increase your child’s risk.Complications
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This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation or examination or replace the advice of your health care professional and should not be relied upon to determine diagnosis or course of treatment.
The iHealthSpot patient education library was written collaboratively by the iHealthSpot editorial team which includes Senior Medical Authors Dr. Mary Car-Blanchard, OTD/OTR/L and Valerie K. Clark, and the following editorial advisors: Steve Meadows, MD, Ernie F. Soto, DDS, Ronald J. Glatzer, MD, Jonathan Rosenberg, MD, Christopher M. Nolte, MD, David Applebaum, MD, Jonathan M. Tarrash, MD, and Paula Soto, RN/BSN. This content complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. The library commenced development on September 1, 2005 with the latest update/addition on February 16, 2022. For information on iHealthSpot’s other services including medical website design, visit www.iHealthSpot.com.
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