Functional Dyspepsia

Overview

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.