Dyspepsia, a term that encompasses a range of uncomfortable symptoms in the upper abdomen. If you’ve ever experienced postprandial fullness, early satiety, epigastric pain or burning, bloating in the upper abdomen, nausea, vomiting, or belching, you might be dealing with dyspepsia.
Dyspepsia can be quite a puzzle because, most of the time, after thorough investigations, no specific organic cause is found. In these cases, it gets labeled as functional dyspepsia. It’s like your body is sending signals of discomfort, but the usual suspects like gastroesophageal reflux disease, peptic ulcer disease, or gastric malignancy are ruled out.
Here are some potential organic causes of dyspepsia that doctors consider during their investigations:
1. Gastroesophageal reflux disease
2. Peptic ulcer disease
3. Gastric malignancy
4. Tuberculosis/Sarcoidosis
5. Menetrier’s disease
6. Parasitic infections
7. Diabetes mellitus
8. Scleroderma
9. Medications
10. Chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic malignancy
11. Hypothyroidism
12. Hyperparathyroidism
13. Myocardial ischemia
If your doctor doesn’t find any of these causing your symptoms, it’s likely functional dyspepsia. This is when you experience those discomforts without a clear cause in the gastrointestinal, systemic, or metabolic areas.
If you’re a younger patient with dyspepsia and no alarming symptoms like weight loss or bleeding, your doctor might suggest trying medications first. However, if you’re middle-aged or elderly, or if your symptoms are new or alarming, investigations will be recommended.
Common investigations for dyspepsia include an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGIE) and H. pylori testing, thyroid function tests, and an abdominal ultrasound (USG). Additional tests might be needed based on your unique clinical situation.
When it comes to treatment, there’s a range of options to explore. Prokinetic drugs, proton pump inhibitors, simethicone, and even antidepressants or SSRIs could be part of the plan to relieve your symptoms.
Remember, your health is a priority. If you’re dealing with persistent symptoms, don’t hesitate to consult with your healthcare provider. They can guide you through the investigation process and tailor a treatment plan to make you feel better.
Dyspepsia might be a complex word, but our goal is to simplify things for you, helping you understand and navigate your journey to digestive comfort.
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