*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or view any of our Previous A to Z Features.

You should also know that OutUK has produced a special report about: Coronavirus Covid-19.

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This Week - I : Indigestion

Most people have indigestion (dyspepsia) at some point. Usually, it's not a sign of anything more serious and you can treat it yourself.

Check if you have indigestion

Indigestion can be felt in different ways.

You can have the following symptoms after eating or drinking:

heartburn - a painful burning feeling in the chest, often after eating
feeling full and bloated
feeling sick
burping and farting
bringing up food or bitter-tasting fluids into your mouth

When it's not indigestion

Stomach ache or back pain are usually not symptoms of indigestion. If you have those you might be constipated.

How you can treat indigestion yourself

There's usually no need to see a GP about indigestion. There are some things you can do at home.

Do

cut down on tea, coffee, cola or alcohol
raise your head and shoulders up when in bed - this can stop stomach acid coming up while you sleep
lose weight if you're overweight

Don't

do not eat 3 to 4 hours before going to bed
do not have rich, spicy or fatty foods
do not take ibuprofen or aspirin unless it has been prescribed for you (speak to a pharmacist or GP if you take these medicines, as they can make indigestion worse)
do not smoke

A pharmacist can help with indigestion

A pharmacist can recommend medicines to ease the burning feeling or pain that can come with indigestion.

Medicines that can help with indigestion include:

antacids
alginates
proton pump inhibitors

Some indigestion medicines are best to take after eating as their effects last longer. Check the information leaflet that comes with the medicines for more information.

Find a pharmacy

When you need a doctor

See a GP if you:

keep getting indigestion
are in severe pain
have lost a lot of weight without meaning to
have difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
keep being sick
have iron deficiency anaemia
feel like you have a lump in your stomach
have bloody vomit or poo

These symptoms can be a sign of something more serious.

What causes indigestion

Indigestion is often caused by acid from your stomach irritating your stomach lining or throat. This is called acid reflux.

This can be caused or made worse by:

certain food and drink - such as coffee, tomatoes, alcohol, chocolate and fatty or spicy foods
being overweight
smoking
stress and anxiety
some medicines, including anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen
a hiatus hernia - when part of your stomach moves up into your chest

Indigestion can also be caused by an open sore in your stomach lining (stomach ulcer). Less often, it can be a sign of something more serious such as stomach cancer.

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We'll have more information and advice next week on another topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this week's subject you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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