The condition is loosely defined, and it can vary according to situation and person.
Acute indigestion is unpleasant, and the chronic form is debilitating.
Chronic indigestion is sometimes a symptom of a more serious disorder, such as chronic pancreatitis, cardiac pain, or a peptic ulcer. Indigestion is also common during the later stages of pregnancy. Burping may bring temporary relief. The symptoms may be severe enough to produce ill-defined pain that may or may not vary in intensity. The symptoms usually last for only about two hours, although a bout of indigestion can last many weeks.