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Functional dyspepsia, also called nonulcer dyspepsia, is a common condition marked by recurrent stomach upset symptoms without an identifiable cause. Individuals with this condition experience intermittent symptoms that resemble those of an ulcer, such as pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen, bloating, belching, and nausea. Although functional dyspepsia is a prevalent condition characterized by its persistent nature, its symptoms do not occur continuously.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of functional dyspepsia can encompass:
- After eating, experiencing bloating, excessive belching, nausea, or pain or burning in the stomach
- An early sensation of fullness when eating, also known as satiety.
- Pain in the stomach that subsides after eating or that happens unrelated to meals.
Make an appointment with your doctor if you experience persistent symptoms that worry you.
Seek medical attention right away if you experience:
- Dark, tarry stools.
- Vomiting with blood.
- Breathing difficulty.
- Jaw pain, neck pain, or arm pain.
- Unexplained loss of weight.
Causes
The exact cause of functional dyspepsia is still unknown. Doctors classify it as a functional disorder, meaning it cannot be linked to a specific medical condition. As a result, standard tests often fail to identify any underlying problems, and the diagnosis is mainly based on the patient’s symptoms.
Risk factors
Several factors can elevate the risk of developing functional dyspepsia. These factors encompass:
- Being a woman
- Depression or anxiety.
- Past history of physical or sexual abuse as a child.
- Infection with Helicobacter pylori.
- Cigarette smoking.
- Utilizing specific over-the-counter pain relievers. These include ibuprofen and aspirin, which might result in gastrointestinal issues.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will probably assess your symptoms and conduct a physical examination. Various tests may be employed to identify the source of your discomfort and exclude other conditions. These assessments may involve:
- Blood tests. Blood tests can assist in excluding other diseases that may manifest symptoms similar to those of functional dyspepsia.
- Tests for a bacterium. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a bacterium, is known to trigger stomach issues. Testing for H. pylori may entail obtaining a stool sample, analyzing breath samples, or collecting tissue samples from the stomach during an endoscopy.
- Endoscopy. An endoscope, a specialized tube equipped with a camera lens and light, is inserted through the throat to explore the esophagus, stomach, and upper section of the small intestine. This procedure enables the doctor to gather tissue samples for examination, aiming to detect any signs of infection or inflammation.
In certain instances, additional tests may be conducted to assess the efficiency of your stomach in emptying its contents.
Treatment
Functional dyspepsia that does not improve with lifestyle changes may necessitate treatment. The treatment plan is personalized to specific symptoms and may include a combination of medications and behavioral therapy.
Medicines
Various medications may assist in alleviating symptoms associated with functional dyspepsia. These medications encompass:
- Medicines to relieve nausea. These medications, known as anti-emetics, can be beneficial if you experience nausea or the urge to vomit after eating. Examples include promethazine, prochlorperazine, and meclizine.
- Medications to relieve gas. A component known as simethicone may offer relief by reducing intestinal gas. Examples of gas-relieving remedies containing simethicone include Mylanta and Gas-X.
- Acid decreasing medications. These medications, known as H-2 receptor blockers, are accessible over-the-counter. They comprise cimetidine, famotidine, and nizatidine. More potent types of these medications are also obtainable with a prescription.
- Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs). This medications deactivate the acid “pumps” in the stomach’s acid-secreting cells. Over-the-counter proton pump inhibitors include lansoprazole, omeprazole, and esomeprazole. Additionally, proton pump inhibitors are available with a prescription.
- Prokinetics. These medications facilitate faster stomach emptying and tighten the valve between your stomach and esophagus, thereby alleviating upper abdominal pain.
- Low-dose antidepressants. Your doctor might prescribe low doses of tricyclic antidepressants and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). These medications can potentially suppress the activity of neurons responsible for intestinal pain control.
- Antibiotics. If tests detect the presence of H. pylori in your stomach, your doctor might recommend a course of antibiotics in conjunction with acid-suppressing medication.
Behavior therapy
Working with a counselor or therapist can offer relief for symptoms that do not respond to medication. They can teach relaxation techniques to help manage your symptoms and provide stress-reduction strategies to effectively cope with them.
