Understanding Functional Dyspepsia

Dyspepsia is a set of symptoms in the upper belly (abdomen) that are related to digestion. Among other things, you may feel full too quickly after eating and have pain or a burning feeling. In some cases, dyspepsia is caused by an infection or other problem that can be treated.

Functional dyspepsia is different. It may have different causes in different people. The symptoms are long-term (chronic). You’ll need to learn ways to manage them over time. This may include taking medicines. It may also mean making changes to your diet and managing your mental health.

How to say it

dihs-PEHP-see-yuh

What causes functional dyspepsia?

Experts are still learning what may cause functional dyspepsia. The symptoms are likely from a digestive tract that is very sensitive to certain things. These may include stress and some foods and drinks.

In some cases, the symptoms may start after an infection with bacteria, a virus, or parasites. In other cases, the way the digestive tract moves food through it (digestive movement or motility) is not normal. Or the stomach's ability to handle food has changed.

Symptoms of functional dyspepsia

Symptoms have lasted for 3 months or more and can include:

• Feeling full too quickly.

• Burping a lot.

• A burning feeling in the middle of your chest.

• Pain that doesn’t get better after a bowel movement or passing gas.

• Upset stomach (nausea) or vomiting after eating.

• Feeling bloated.

• Loss of appetite.

You may also have symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). These can include ongoing constipation or diarrhea.

Treatment for functional dyspepsia

Your health care provider may prescribe a medicine to help ease your symptoms. You may take one or more of these:

• Medicine to reduce stomach acid. You may take an H2-receptor antagonist or a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). These medicines lower the amount of acid your stomach makes.

• Medicine to increase digestive movement or to allow the stomach to handle food better.

• Neuromodulator medicine. Some of these types of medicines may help to reduce symptoms.

• Medicine to treat a stomach bacteria. You will get antibiotics if tests show you have a stomach bacteria called Helicobacter pylori.

Living with functional dyspepsia

To manage your condition over time, you will also need to:

• Change your diet. Caffeine, alcohol, and foods that are fatty or spicy can cause symptoms in some people. It may help to keep a diary of when your symptoms occur and what you were eating or drinking. This can help you find out what foods and drinks to avoid.

• Eat small, frequent meals. Instead of three large meals, eating five or six small ones may help ease symptoms.

• Focus on your mental health. Anxiety, depression, and stress can also cause symptoms in some people. Learning ways to manage your mental health can help reduce symptoms. This may include working with a counselor.

When to call your health care provider

Call your health care provider right away if:

• You have symptoms that don’t get better, or get worse.

• You have new symptoms.

• You have trouble swallowing.

• You have vomiting that doesn’t stop.

• You vomit blood.

• You have bloody stool or black tarry stool.

• You have unexplained weight loss.