The terms indigestion and dyspepsia are generally interchangeable and refer to a set of symptoms of the upper digestive system that are usually associated with food intake.
Unlike the gastric mucosa, the esophageal is not protected against acid, which is why this acid causes irritation and an inflammatory process, with symptoms characteristic of reflux esophagitis, such as heartburn or heartburn in the terminal area of the esophagus with a feeling of water coming out and regurgitation of the stomach / esophagus to the throat.
Indigestion is a common situation, about 40% of the UK population suffered from it at any time and 10% experience these symptoms at least once a week, with no difference in incidence between genders.
Causes of Gastric and Esophageal Diseases
Indigestion is also known as non-ulcerative or functional dyspepsia, with no apparent serious cause and is associated with food intake.
Two types of indigestion can be considered:
- Nonspecific indigestion or dyspepsia;
- Gastroesophageal reflux or reflux oesophagitis or gastric reflux, commonly known as heartburn or heartburn.
Generally, both situations are caused by gastric and / or esophageal inflammatory processes, caused by the exit of gastric acid from the stomach.
