What Is Dyspepsia?

Dyspepsia is another term for the common condition known as indigestion. It is one for the most common ailments in the United States and it is usually not considered a serious health problem itself unless it is accompanied with other symptoms. Dyspepsia is characterized by an uncomfortable feeling of pain in the upper middle part of your stomach.

What Causes Dyspepsia (indigestion)?

Dyspepsia is often caused by stomach ulcers, acid reflux disease irritable bowel syndrome or gallstones. Certain medications have been also known to cause symptoms and include anti-inflammatory medicines and aspirin. In digestion, the stomach produces a strong acid that helps digest food as well as protect you from infection. Normally, a layer of mucus lines the esophagus, stomach and intestines. This lining serves as a barrier between the organs and the acid. If the mucus layer is damaged, the tissues get irritated by the acid. This results in conditions such as heartburn and indigestion. Other risk factors that can make the condition worse include pregnancy, having irregular meals, drinking excess alcohol, eating a heavy meal, smoking and stress. Sometimes indigestion is known to have no cause.

What Are The Symptoms of Indigestion?

The most common symptoms associated with indigestion (dyspepsia) include;

 * A gnawing or burning stomach pain in the upper part of the abdomen. This pain may come and go, but is commonly consistent.
 
 * Burping or gas
 
 * Nausea and/or vomiting
 
 * Bloating
 
 * Heartburn
 
If you are experiencing symptoms of indigestion, please see your physician so he/she can rule out any serious medical condition that you may have.

How Is Dyspepsia Diagnosed?

A physical examination that centers around the digestive tract and the stomach area will be performed. Questions regarding your symptoms will also be asked and might include:

* “Have there been any dietary changes?”

* “Are there any other symptoms that you are experiencing?”

* “Are you vomiting?”

* “What medications are you on? Have you made any recent changes?”

* “Are you experiencing stomach pain?

* “Have you consumed high amounts of caffeine? “How about spicy foods, high-fiber foods, or fatty foods?”

* “Does it begin or get worse after eating particular foods?”
   
* “Does it begin or get worse after drinking alcoholic or carbonated drinks?”

* “Are you a fast eater and do you overeat?”

Other tests to rule out other possible conditions include;

 * Blood Tests
 
 * Abdominal Ultrasound
 
 * Endoscopy
 
 * Upper GI and Small Bowel Series
 
 
How Is Dyspepsia (Indigestion) Treated?

There are several treatment options that are available to those who suffer form indigestion. Among those include the change of lifestyle habits, Non-prescription medicines such as antacids and H2 blockers and prescription medicine.

Lifestyle changes include:

* Cutting down on fatty foods, tea, coffee and alcohol

* Giving up smoking

* Reducing your stress levels

* Eating little and often

* Avoiding aspirin and NSAIDs or take them on a full stomach if you need to take them.

* Chewing food carefully and completely

Non prescription antacids come as tablets, capsules, liquids or powders and help stop the stomach contents flowing back into the esophagus. H2 blockers help reduce symptoms by reducing the amount of acid that the stomach produces. Prescription medicines include proton pump inhibitors; which work by stopping your stomach from producing acid while other prescription medications include those the coat the stomach lining.

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