Why You Have Indigestion: What "I Have Indigestion" Really Means | Incheon Indigestion

Hello, this is Korean Medicine Doctor Choi Yeon-seung from Baengnokdam Korean Medicine Clinic.

What "I have indigestion" really means

"I have indigestion." Many people say this in the clinic, but this phrase actually encompasses a wide range of sensations.

Bloated, feeling like food is stuck, a tight blockage in the epigastric region, a cold sensation in the stomach, frequent burping, gas buildup, nausea, a burning sensation, food not going down after eating, something coming up from the stomach...

While these might all sound similar, when you actually listen, you find that the onset and expression of these symptoms vary slightly from person to person.

Feeling uncomfortable even before eating

Sometimes, the stomach reacts even before a meal is eaten.

"I've only had a bite or two, but I feel like something is getting stuck." "I feel like I'll become uncomfortable or heavy as soon as I eat." "Just looking at food makes me feel burdened."

For people who express these feelings, it's often not due to a specific problem with their stomach itself, but rather that their body isn't ready to receive the food.

Feeling uncomfortable right after eating

Some people report that their epigastric region suddenly feels heavy or stuffy not long after eating.

"I feel like something is stuck in my chest." "I feel like the food I ate isn't going down and is just staying there." "It's not my stomach; my upper chest feels more uncomfortable."

Stomach feels cold and empty, yet there's no room for more

There are cases where people feel hungry, but when they try to eat something, their stomach feels uncomfortable.

"My stomach feels empty, but food won't go down." "My stomach feels sharp and cold. I think something entering it would make it even more uncomfortable." "It feels full, even though it's empty."

Full and stagnant

The stomach feels full, but the problem is that the sensation doesn't dissipate or move.

"I feel like something is stuck right on my stomach." "It's not digesting; it just feels like it's stopped there." "It's not moving. It's just stuck."

Frequent burping

"I keep burping. But it comes out again without me realizing it, and even after it comes out, I don't feel relieved."

I hear this often. In fact, most people have probably experienced it once or twice.

When you don't want to eat, but have to

There are times when you want to eat, but when you actually see the meal, you don't feel like touching it.

"I'm hungry, but I have no appetite." "I eat, but my stomach feels even more uncomfortable." "I forced myself to eat, and now I feel even more weighed down."

Some days, digestion is poor

There are days when your stomach feels bloated and strangely uncomfortable, even if you haven't eaten anything particularly stimulating.

Tests show no abnormalities

There are days when people have had gastroscopies and blood tests at the hospital, and doctors have said everything is fine, but their body still doesn't feel right.

The phrase 'I have indigestion' is itself a collection of sensations

"I have indigestion." This phrase is so common that it can sometimes sound too trivial.

However, a closer look reveals a truly diverse array of overlapping sensations within it.

Clinic Information

- Clinic Hours -

Mon-Fri 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Lunch break 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

※ We do not offer individual consultations via the blog.

For inquiries regarding appointments and consultations, please refer to Naver Place or our official website.

Baengnokdam Korean Medicine Clinic, 3rd Floor, Songdo Dream City, 81 Convensia-daero, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon