Indigestion is subcategorized as either "organic" or "functional dyspepsia", but making the diagnosis can prove challenging for physicians.[6]Organic indigestion is the result of an underlying disease, such as gastritis, peptic ulcer disease (an ulcer of the stomach or duodenum), or cancer.[6] Functional indigestion (previously called non-ulcer dyspepsia)[7] is indigestion without evidence of underlying disease.[8] Functional indigestion is estimated to affect about 15% of the general population in western countries and accounts for a majority of dyspepsia cases.[7][9]
In patients who are 60 or older, or who have worrisome symptoms such as trouble swallowing, weight loss, or blood loss, an endoscopy (a procedure whereby a camera attached to a flexible tube is inserted down the throat and into the stomach) is recommended to further assess and find a potential cause.[1] In patients younger than 60 years of age, testing for the bacteria H. pylori and if positive, treatment of the infection is recommended.[1] More details about how indigestion is diagnosed and treated can be found below.
^Zajac, P; Holbrook, A; Super, ME; Vogt, M (March–April 2013). "An overview: Current clinical guidelines for the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and management of dyspepsia". Osteopathic Family Physician. 5 (2): 79–85. doi:10.1016/j.osfp.2012.10.005.