Indigestion (Dyspepsia)

Indigestion—also known as dyspepsia—is a general term for discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen, often during or after eating. It may feel like pressure, fullness, bloating, heaviness, or mild burning behind the ribs. In traditional systems, this symptom points to weak digestive fire, food stagnation, or nervous tension disrupting gut rhythm. It’s not always about what you ate—but how, when, and in what internal state. When the digestive process isn’t properly engaged, food lingers too long, ferments, or fails to transform, leading to upper GI discomfort and energetic congestion.

• Location of Symptom

  Upper abdomen—especially the area below the sternum and above the navel (epigastric region)

• Physiological Breakdown

  Indigestion is like a traffic jam in your upper GI tract—things aren’t moving smoothly, and tension builds. This may come from low stomach acid, weak enzyme output, anxiety, overeating, or incompatible food combinations. The result is pressure, fullness, and discomfort after meals. Symptoms occur within 30–90 minutes of eating and may vary depending on food type and stress levels.

• Common Signs

  Fullness or heaviness in the upper belly after meals

  Belching, bloating, or mild acid sensations

  Fatigue or fogginess after eating

  Food feels like it “sits” or doesn’t move

  Appetite may decrease, but hunger returns shortly after

  Discomfort is often vague or hard to describe

• Rudimentary Root Causes

  Eating while stressed or distracted

  Overeating or rushing meals

  Low stomach acid or enzyme insufficiency

  Food combining errors or excessive variety in one meal

  Emotional suppression or grief during meals

  Pharmaceutical causes: Antacids, PPIs, NSAIDs

  Supplement-induced causes:

  Iron or B-vitamins on an empty stomach

  Phytoiatrogenic causes: Bitters or spicy herbs used without proper grounding support, Excess cooling herbs in cold/damp individuals

• Underlying Tissue States

  The following tissue states may represent underlying imbalances contributing to this symptom:

  Cold/Depression: Weak digestive fire, sluggish metabolism

  Damp/Stagnation: Food sits heavy, mucus or bloating afterward

  Wind/Tension: Tight diaphragm, shallow breathing, fluttery digestion

  Heat/Excitation: Mild burning or irritation after meals

  Dry/Atrophy: Poor mucosal coating; discomfort without full digestion

• Organ Systems Affected

  Digestive System: Stomach, small intestine, pancreas (enzyme function)

  Nervous System: Vagus nerve, emotional state, stress tone

  Liver & Gallbladder: Bile secretion and food emulsification

  Endocrine System: Cortisol levels affecting parasympathetic activation

Do you eat while multitasking or feeling emotionally activated? Do you feel pressure or fullness even after light meals? Have you been using digestive supplements or herbs—how do they affect you? Is there a pattern of grief, overgiving, or suppression around nourishment? What time of day is your digestion weakest? Morning, mid-day, or night?

Indigestion is your body’s way of saying it needs more presence, warmth, and clarity in the way you nourish. If meals leave you feeling weighed down or unsettled instead of sustained, I can help you uncover what’s really going on beneath the surface.

Disclaimer

Each person’s condition has a unique root cause, and lifestyle, diet and herbal remedies must be tailored to the individual. The information on this page is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized care. If you’d like support in understanding your specific situation, please reach out to me for guidance.