A leading GP has warned millions of Britons not to ignore indigestion, a common health problem that affects more than 40 per cent of people in the UK every year. While for many, the condition is linked to lifestyle factors and tends to resolve on its own, persistent or worsening heartburn and acid reflux could be early warning signs of a much more serious medical issue â including cancer.
Dr Dan Baumgardt, a Bristol-based GP and senior lecturer at the University of Bristol, recently explained in The Conversation that although indigestion is often harmless, it is not always something to brush aside.
âIndigestion is common but not always harmless,â said Dr Baumgardt. âOver-the-counter treatments can provide relief and many benign conditions often prove to be the underlying cause. But in some cases, persistent symptoms may signal a more serious underlying condition, including cancer.â
What Is Indigestion?
Indigestion (also known as dyspepsia) is typically described as discomfort, burning, or pain in the upper abdomen or chest. It can be triggered by food, drink, stress, or certain medications. Many sufferers experience bloating, belching, nausea, or a feeling of fullness.
Heartburn and acid reflux are two of the most common symptoms associated with indigestion.
- Heartburn is usually felt as a burning sensation in the chest, often after eating or when lying down.
- Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid flows back into the oesophagus, sometimes causing a sour taste in the mouth.
For most people, these symptoms are mild and short-lived. A heavy meal, rich or spicy food, or even a short-term stomach bug can trigger indigestion that resolves within a few hours or days.
But when indigestion is persistent, worsening, or unexplained, it may point to something more serious.
When Indigestion Signals Something More Sinister
According to Dr Baumgardt, indigestion that does not improve with lifestyle changes, or that changes in severity, should never be ignored.
âAfter a rich or spicy meal or a stomach bug, some indigestion is expected â and might last a few days,â he said. âHowever, persistent dyspepsia can sometimes be linked to more serious conditions.â
One key concern is inflammation of the oesophagus, stomach, or duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). This inflammation may be caused by an infection with Helicobacter pylori â a common bacteria that can live in the stomach lining. H. pylori infection is one of the leading causes of peptic ulcers and can significantly increase the risk of gastric cancer.
In these cases, treatment often requires a combination of antibiotics and omeprazole (a proton pump inhibitor, or PPI). Left untreated, an ulcer can lead to serious complications, including internal bleeding or perforation of the gut.
Even more worryingly, some cases of indigestion may be linked to upper gastrointestinal cancers. These include cancers of the stomach, oesophagus, and pancreas â many of which are difficult to detect in their early stages.
Symptoms to Watch Out For
Indigestion caused by something benign will typically improve quickly with rest, lifestyle changes, or over-the-counter remedies. However, Dr Baumgardt warns that certain symptoms should prompt medical investigation. These include:
- Persistent difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Unexplained weight loss
- Upper abdominal pain or discomfort
- Feeling full after eating only a small amount of food
- Ongoing heartburn or acid reflux that changes in severity
- Vomiting blood (a red flag that requires emergency hospitalisation)
To rule out cancer or other serious conditions, doctors may recommend an endoscopy. This involves inserting a flexible camera down the throat to examine the upper gut for signs of inflammation, ulcers, or malignancy.
Indigestion and Heart Conditions
Not all indigestion symptoms originate in the digestive system. According to Dr Baumgardt, some heart problems, such as ischaemic heart disease, can present in ways that mimic indigestion.
Ischaemic heart disease occurs when narrowed blood vessels restrict blood flow to the heart. This can cause chest pain or discomfort, often mistaken for indigestion or heartburn. Given the risks, anyone with persistent chest discomfort should seek urgent medical advice.
Other Serious Conditions Linked to Indigestion
Indigestion can sometimes also be linked to pancreatic cancer or ovarian cancer. These conditions are notoriously difficult to detect in their early stages, and indigestion may be one of the few early warning signs.
This highlights why it is so important not to self-diagnose or rely solely on over-the-counter remedies.
âThis is why itâs important not to self-diagnose, and seek medical advice so a doctor can put the pieces together and make an appropriate plan of action,â Dr Baumgardt explained.
The Debate Around Omeprazole and Long-Term Use
The warning about indigestion comes just weeks after a pharmacist raised concerns about the widespread use of omeprazole and similar PPIs (proton pump inhibitors).
Deborah Grayson, known as the âGodmother of Pharmacology,â posted a TikTok video in August that has already been viewed more than 42,000 times. In it, she cautioned that while omeprazole may provide temporary relief for sufferers of heartburn and acid reflux, long-term use could negatively impact digestion and overall health.
According to Grayson, prolonged PPI use can cause:
- Bloating and nausea
- Weight gain
- Vitamin deficiencies
She explained that while PPIs help by reducing stomach acid production, stomach acid itself plays a crucial role in breaking down food and absorbing nutrients.
âIt can be helpful to have omeprazole if youâve got gastritis or erosion in your oesophagus, but if youâve only got simple heartburn-related problems, longer term it can have greater impacts on the body,â she said.
Omeprazole Prescriptions in the UK
Omeprazole is one of the most widely prescribed medications in the UK. In fact, more than 73 million NHS prescriptions for PPIs were dispensed in England in 2022â23 alone, costing the health service around ÂŁ190 million.
While these drugs are often invaluable in treating conditions such as ulcers or severe acid reflux, experts caution that they should not be seen as a quick fix for all indigestion problems. Long-term reliance without medical supervision can mask more serious underlying conditions.
Key Takeaway: Donât Ignore Persistent Indigestion
For most people, indigestion, heartburn, or acid reflux will pass quickly and can be managed with simple lifestyle changes: avoiding large or fatty meals, reducing alcohol and caffeine intake, quitting smoking, and managing stress.
But the real warning from Dr Baumgardt is clear: if symptoms are persistent, worsening, or unexplained, donât ignore them. See a GP and get checked.
Indigestion might just be a common ailment â but sometimes, it is the first sign of something much more serious.
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