Dealing with Dyspepsia

You just had a plate of lasagna an hour ago. Unfortunately, you have a slight case of an upset stomach. Indigestion strikes during the most inconvenient times.

That case of indigestion you have is known as dyspepsia. Symptoms of dyspepsia include bloating, pain or burning in the stomach, excessive belching, nausea after meals, a feeling of fullness or satiety while still eating, pain in the stomach unrelated to meals.

Risk factors for dyspepsia are being female, use of certain over-the-counter meds such as pain relievers (e.g. aspirin or ibuprofen like Motrin), smoking, anxiety or depression, history of childhood physical abuse or sexual abuse, and helicobacter pylori infection.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, indigestion is a common condition affecting 1 in 4 people in the United States. Of those people with indigestion who see a doctor, almost 3 in 4 will be diagnosed with functional dyspepsia. Chronic indigestion not associated with a health problem is known as functional dyspepsia. Functional dyspepsia is the most common cause of dyspepsia symptoms in the West and increasingly other parts of the world.

Functional dyspepsia tends to be more common among adults age 40 to 50 globally. One study indicates that the condition may decrease in groups with increasing age. Dyspepsia seems to be popular among Caucasian and Asian populations with African American people specifically at risk for the condition.

Diet is truly important when it comes to dyspepsia. Studies have found that heavy intake of cola was associated with markedly increased prevalence of dyspepsia. Socioeconomic conditions may play a role as well with the presence of the condition tied to lower household income and lower education levels (i.e. stress and diet may affect the prevalence of dyspepsia). In fact, psychological associations may also need to be taken in consideration when diagnosing dyspepsia. Research shows that some patients with dyspepsia reported more anxiety compared to those with irritable bowel syndrome which influenced health care seeking habits.

Dyspepsia could be a sign of a more serious conditions such as gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastroparesis, hiatal hernia, irritable bowel syndrome, peptic ulcer disease, or stomach cancer.

To diagnose properly, your physician will suggest blood tests (to assess the liver, kidney, and thyroid function), breath test (to check for H pylori), imaging exams like X-ray, CT scan, or upper endoscopy (to check for blockages or other problems in the intestine), and a stool test (to check for H pylori and other bacterial infections).

Indigestion may be reduced by avoiding alcohol, eating a healthy diet, managing your stress level in an appropriate manner, not eating meals before bed, not smoking, and replacing aspirin with acetaminophen.

Most people find relief from dyspepsia by altering their meals and taking medication. Common medications include antacids to neutralize stomach acid; antibiotics to treat bacterial infections such as H pylori; H2 blockers which decrease the amount of acid your stomach produces (H2 blockers may help peptic ulcers); and proton pump inhibitors which decrease the acid in your stomach, but are usually only for people with heartburn.

Surgery may be suggested for if ongoing acid reflux gives you indigestion. A procedure known as laparoscopic antireflux surgery may help relieve symptoms of GERD. It is a minimally invasive procedure, meaning that it doesn’t require a large incision.

Indigestion usually goes away once you change your eating habits. If you take medication for an upset stomach, do so only with your doctor’s approval. Some medications, especially acid reducers, may have long term side effects. These may include an increased risk of infections or low levels of important nutrients.

Overall, you should seek out your physician if your indigestion includes black stools, chest pain, difficulty breathing, frequent or bloody vomiting, jaundice (yellowing of eyes or skin), severe pain in the belly, and unexplained weight loss. Basically, if your stomach problems are affecting your quality of life it is time to see a doctor. And there are a variety of health professionals such as primary care providers, dietitians, gastroenterologists and talk therapists that can help with stomach ailments.

Mild indigestion can be alleviated by certain lifestyle changes like eating smaller more frequent meals (e.g. six smaller ones instead of three large ones); avoiding triggers such as fatty and spicy foods, carbonated beverages, caffeine, alcohol, and smoking; maintaining a healthy weight (excess pounds may put pressure on your abdomen causing acid to back up into your esophagus); exercising on a regular basis; managing stress by promoting a calm environment; cutting back on pain relievers if your doctor suggests it (some medications may irritate the stomach lining).

There are some notable alternative treatments for indigestion as well such as herbal remedies like peppermint and STW 5 (Iberogast) a liquid supplement containing nine herbs, that works by reducing the production of gastric acid, and acupuncture, which works by blocking the pathways of nerves that carry sensations of pain to the brain.

Indigestion doesn’t have to be chronic. With your doctor’s guidance, dyspepsia can be managed and controlled.