On occasion, they may experience stomach pain as well. Many people blame their upset stomachs on stress. But while stress can undoubtedly make your symptoms worse, it's not likely to be the sole cause of indigestion. In the worst-case scenario, dyspepsia may be a sign of stomach cancer. This condition is extremely rare, and in the United States it's almost unheard of in people under 50.
Doctors can take several different approaches to treating dyspepsia.
Each has pros and cons, and no one strategy is right for everyone. For many patients, treatment starts with a simple blood test for H. pylori, the bacterium that causes ulcers. If the test is positive, your doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotics to kill the germ. The downside to this approach is that H. pylori is often harmless, and many patients end up taking antibiotics for no good reason. Before you take drugs, some specialists recommend that you instead take a good hard look at your lifestyle.