Dyspepsia

Dyspepsia

This is also called as an upset stomach or indigestion, in general term discomfort in the upper abdomen. Indigestion is not a disease, but rather some symptoms you experience, including abdominal pain and a feeling of fullness soon after you start eating.

Symptoms:

• Early fullness during a meal. You haven't eaten much of your meal, but you already feel full and may not be able to finish eating.
• Uncomfortable fullness after a meal. Fullness lasts longer than it should.
• Discomfort in the upper abdomen. You feel a mild to severe pain in the area between the bottom of your breastbone and your navel.
• Burning in the upper abdomen. You feel an uncomfortable heat or burning sensation between the bottom of your breastbone and your navel.
• Bloating in the upper abdomen. You feel an uncomfortable sensation of tightness.
• Nausea. You feel as though you want to vomit.
• Unintentional weight loss or loss of appetite
• Repeated vomiting or vomiting with blood
• Fatigue or weakness
• Black, tarry stools
• Trouble swallowing that gets progressively worse

Causes:

• Overeating or eating too quickly
• Fatty, greasy or spicy foods
• Alcohol, caffeine, chocolate or carbonated beverages too much
• Smoking
• Anxiety
• Certain antibiotics, pain relievers and iron supplements
• Gastritis
• Peptic ulcers
• Celiac disease
• Gallstones
• Constipation
• Pancreas inflammation (pancreatitis)
• Stomach cancer
• Intestinal blockage
• Reduced blood flow in the intestine (intestinal ischemia)

Complications: Underlying condition also have its own complications.

Diagnosis:

·         Laboratory tests, to check for thyroid problems or other metabolic disorders.

·         Breath and stool tests, to check for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), the bacterium associated with peptic ulcers, which can cause indigestion. H. pylori testing is controversial because studies suggest limited benefit from treating the bacterium.

·         Endoscopy, to check for abnormalities in your upper digestive tract. A tissue sample (biopsy) may be taken for analysis.

·         Imaging tests (X-ray or CT scan), to check for intestinal obstruction

Treatment:

·         PPIs (Proton pump inhibitors), which can reduce stomach acid

·         H2RAs (H-2-receptor antagonists), which is used to reduce the stomach acids.

·         Prokinetics, which may be helpful if your stomach empties slowly.

·         Antibiotics, if H. pylori bacteria are causing your indigestion.

·         Anti-anxiety or Antidepressants medications, by decreasing your sensation of pain may ease the discomfort from indigestion.

Prevention:

·         Avoiding foods that trigger indigestion

·         Eating five or six small meals a day instead of three large meals

·         Reducing or eliminating the use of alcohol and caffeine

·         Avoiding certain pain relievers, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve)

·         Finding alternatives for medications that trigger indigestion

·         Controlling stress and anxiety

Dyspepsia, stomach upset, indigestion, abdominal pain.