We’ve all experienced having an upset stomach. Feeling nauseous, bloated, or even pain around your stomach can be very unpleasant. However, an upset stomach can have various different causes. Indigestion is a common cause of a mildly upset stomach; however, if you’re feeling very sick and experiencing severe symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea, you may have a case of food poisoning. This article will review how to tell whether your stomach upset is caused by something mild like a case of indigestion, or something more serious like food poisoning.

If you’re feeling sick and have an upset stomach, AFC Urgent Care Edgewater is available to provide same-day support. Our walk-in clinic makes it easy to receive prompt care for gastrointestinal upset. Whether your symptoms are severe or mild, our board-certified medical providers will get to the bottom of what’s causing your symptoms and treat them effectively. Walk into the clinic for same-day care, or save your spot online in advance using the button below. 

Save Your Spot

Understanding The Differences Between Food Poisoning and Indigestion

Causes

Food poisoning and indigestion can both cause stomach pain, however, the underlying causes of both conditions are very different. Indigestion can happen when your body makes too much stomach acid and burns the inside of your stomach lining. Food poisoning happens when you eat something contaminated with a virus or bacteria and makes you sick.

Symptoms

Because the causes of indigestion and food poisoning are different, the symptoms are also different for the most part. Both indigestion and food poisoning can cause symptoms like nausea and stomach pain. However, food poisoning causes your body to purge the contents of your stomach to get rid of the infection, often leading to intense vomiting and/or diarrhea. Indigestion can cause nausea and and sometimes symptoms like vomiting, but typically symptoms of indigestion are much more mild than a case of food poisoning.

Treatment

Treatment for indigestion and food poisoning are completely different. Indigestion is a chronic condition. Patients can manage symptoms with medications, either prescription acid inhibitors or OTC medications to reduce acid. Adjusting your diet may also help avoid foods that cause symptoms to flare up. Food poisoning often resolves on its own within 48 hours. During this time, supplementing your body with fluids and getting plenty of rest will give your body energy to fight off the infection. 

Visit AFC Edgewater for Same-Day Care for an Upset Stomach

Having an upset stomach can be miserable. If you’re feeling under the weather and experiencing an upset stomach, walk into AFC Edgewater for rapid same-day care! Our board-certified medical providers are on standby 7 days a week to provide treatment for common conditions like stomach pain. We accept walk-in patients daily, and never require patients to schedule an appointment in advance.

Our clinic makes it easy to receive prompt care for an upset stomach. Simply walk in for rapid care! We work with most medical insurance plans, and have affordable care for self-paying patients. To learn more, walk into the clinic for same-day care today or give our team a call at (410) 956-3394.