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When you suddenly feel a tight, stuffy, and bloated sensation in your upper abdomen, we often say we have "indigestion." This expression refers to a state where stomach movement temporarily slows down, causing food to remain undigested. While it usually subsides with time, severe cases can lead to vomiting or dizziness. We've compiled a list of immediate home remedies and signs that require a hospital visit, in order.

The first thing to do is to slowly drink warm water. Cold water can actually worsen stomach tension, so it's essential to drink warm water in small sips, multiple times. Warm water helps relax the stomach wall muscles, allowing stagnant food to move down. If your abdomen feels cold, applying a warm compress to the upper abdominal area with a towel or hot pack is also a good method.

A widely known traditional method is fingertip acupressure. This involves gently pressing and stimulating the tip of the middle finger, or lightly pricking it with a sterilized needle to release a drop or two of blood. While this may help relieve stomach tension and promote circulation, excessive stimulation can cause injury to the fingertip. Please remember to perform this carefully and in a clean environment.

If you continue to feel slow digestion and bloating, warm beverages can be helpful.

• Ginger tea: Warms the stomach and helps expel gas.
• Honey tea, plum tea: May help soothe an upset stomach.
• Over-the-counter digestive aids, stomach medications: Can be used to alleviate symptoms.

However, if you are already experiencing vomiting or diarrhea, it is safer to monitor your condition rather than forcing yourself to take medication.

When you have indigestion, lying down immediately is not recommended, as stomach contents can reflux into the esophagus. It is better to sit comfortably with your upper body elevated at about a 30-degree angle or rest lying on your side. Rather than moving excessively, wait for digestion to occur naturally in a quiet and warm environment.

Typical indigestion usually improves within a day. However, if any of the following apply, it may not be simple indigestion.

• When severe abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, or dizziness occur together.
• When symptoms persist for more than 2 days.
• When you frequently experience slow digestion and frequent upper abdominal pain.

There is a possibility of developing conditions such as acute gastritis, 담적 (Damjeok), or pancreatitis, so it is advisable to see an internal medicine specialist. If upper abdominal pain is recurrent, we recommend checking the cause with a gastroscopy. You can check the preparation process and procedures for the examination in advance at Examination Guide.

While dealing with indigestion itself is not difficult, incorrect methods can actually worsen symptoms. Eating slowly, avoiding overeating and late-night snacks, and maintaining a diet centered on warm foods are fundamental. Stomach health begins with managing it in advance to prevent indigestion. When a consultation is needed, checking the Consultation Hours Guide before visiting can make the process much smoother.

If you frequently experience stomach discomfort, feel free to inquire via chat

Dr. Kim Seonhoo (Specialist in Gastroenterology, Specialist in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy) · Medical Staff Introduction · Last reviewed 2026-08-06