Functional Dyspepsia - Easy To Manage

Dyspepsia is a general medical condition which in common terms refer to an upset stomach. There are also associated symptoms such as heartburn, belching, feeling bloated, nausea and even vomiting. Because dyspepsia is an illness that affects the digestive tract, its most common causes are related to eating and digestion, or indigestion. In general, dyspepsia is generally caused by underlying illnesses such as peptic ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and even cancer.

However, there is a class of dyspepsia symptoms that have no underlying cause. These are referred to as functional dyspepsia or non-ulcer dyspepsia. Under extensive medical tests, doctors normally do not find a visible cause for functional dyspepsia. There are no visible ulcers, lesions, growths, no inflammation of the esophagus, no gastritis or inflammation of the stomach lining. Statistically, 6 out of 10 people with recurring bouts of dyspepsia fall into the functional dyspepsia variety.

Because there are no visible causes for this type of upset stomach, proper treatment is very hard to define. In most cases, doctors would rather advice managing functional dyspepsia bouts rather than taking time and money to look for a cure.

A standard non-ulcer dyspepsia management routine is described below to help the patient cope better with the onset of an upset stomach.

The most important management option for functional dyspepsia is psychological in nature. Doctors need to remind and assure patients that they are facing a manageable condition and that extensive tests done did not detect any abnormality or serious condition. With dyspepsia, anxiety, uncertainty, worry and stress over not knowing the cause of the symptoms can only worsen the pain and discomfort so it is absolutely essential to assure the patient that everything is normal and that there is no need to worry.

On top of pharmaceutical drugs like acid-suppressing drugs and prokinetic medicines, natural remedies are also viable options in the management of dyspepsia symptoms. Eating, in particular, is a key area of concern. Patients with recurring dyspepsia symptoms should stay away from fatty foods which are slow emptying and harder to digest, as well as avoiding heavy, large meals that induce the feeling of being bloated. In most cases, patients will have to do their own trial and error routines to determine which foods induce or worsen their functional dyspepsia symptoms and which ones alleviate it. A patient can rely on this handy list to come up with a personal diet plan designed to limit the intake of dyspepsia-inducing foods.

There are also available medicinal plants that can help to limit the frequency of functional dyspepsia. These include plants that stimulate and promote digestive processes like papaya, and chamomile. Another plant where functional dyspepsia treatments are based is Gentian which contains bitter substances that stimulate the taste buds and creates a parallel effect in the gastrointestinal tract which aids in digestion. Fennel, on the other hand, contains antiseptic and expectorant effects that help to balance the digestive system as well as stimulate the production of gastrointestinal juices to aid in digestion.

Whether you prefer pharmaceutical drugs of complementary and alternative treatment methods, always consult with your doctor prior to starting any regimen. It is important to determine if you have existing allergies, complications and side effects against these treatment options so you are sure to only resolve the discomfort without inducing additional symptoms.

Functional dyspepsia is a very manageable condition. With great attention and care, you can resume your daily activities without worrying about the onset of an upset stomach.