Indigestion is the uncomfortable feeling you get in your stomach and chest after eating, often described as burning, bloating, or general discomfort. If you've ever felt overly full, gassy, or like your stomach is churning after a big meal, you've experienced indigestion.

Indigestion happens when your digestive system struggles to break down food properly. Maybe you ate too fast, had too much rich or spicy food, or your stomach is just having an off day. The medical term is dyspepsia, but many people simply call it a stomach ache or an upset stomach.

Common signs include burping, a burning sensation behind your breastbone (called heartburn), or feeling uncomfortably stuffed even hours after eating. Sometimes certain foods trigger it: greasy pizza, chocolate, or acidic foods like tomatoes can cause indigestion in some people.

While occasional indigestion is normal and usually harmless, frequent indigestion might signal that something needs attention, like adjusting what you eat or how quickly you eat it. Your body is remarkably good at digesting food, but sometimes it needs help from things like eating more slowly, choosing lighter foods, or giving yourself time to digest before being active.