Functional Dyspepsia
Functional Dyspepsia
Functional dyspepsia is a chronic digestive disorder which affects the digestion system of the human body. It is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain, bloating, and other symptoms often accompanied by distaste, nausea, heartburn, and belching. Although its cause remains unknown, it is believed to be linked to one or more of the following factors: functional abnormalities of motility of the gastrointestinal tract, visceral hypersensitivity, altered GI mucosal and immune function, abnormal gastric accommodation, altered gastrointestinal transit, and psychosocial factors.
The condition is not often life-threatening, but it can be a source of significant pain and distress, mainly due to the frequent recurrence of its symptoms. The diagnosis of functional dyspepsia is made based on the presence of specific symptoms over several weeks or months without any organic pathology that could explain them.
Here are some of the most common symptoms of functional dyspepsia:
- Abdominal Pain
- Bloating
- Early Satiety
- Nausea
- Heartburn
- Belching
- Distaste
Common treatments for functional dyspepsia include: lifestyle modifications, medicinal treatment, supportive care, and psychotherapy. Lifestyle modifications can include dietary changes – such as avoiding foods that aggravate symptoms – as well as exercising and practicing relaxation techniques. Medicinal treatment usually consists of anti-acid medication and prokinetic agents.
In addition to lifestyle modifications and medicinal treatment, supportive care is often used to treat the symptoms of functional dyspepsia. This type of treatment may include providing nutritional support, counseling support, massage therapy, and acupuncture.
Psychotherapy is sometimes used to treat the underlying psychological causes of functional dyspepsia. This may include addressing underlying feelings of anxiety, depression, or stress that may be contributing to the condition. A therapist can also help to assess the patient’s relationships with food, as this may be contributing to the condition.