What is Functional Dyspepsia and How Does It Affect You?
Published: Sep 29, 2023
Functional dyspepsia is a common stomach issue that can make your life uncomfortable with symptoms like pain and bloating. Understanding this condition is key to managing it effectively.
Contents
Understanding Functional Dyspepsia
Functional dyspepsia is a disorder that affects the stomach and causes symptoms such as bloating, pain, and early fullness. It doesn't have a clear cause like an ulcer or gastritis, which makes it tricky to diagnose. Often, it's considered a problem with how the brain and gut interact.
Common Symptoms
People with functional dyspepsia often feel full quickly after eating and may experience stomach pain or burning sensations. These symptoms can be severe enough to disrupt daily activities. Some may also feel nauseous or have heartburn, though these are less common.

Diagnosis and Criteria
Diagnosing functional dyspepsia involves ruling out other causes of indigestion through medical history, exams, and sometimes endoscopy. The Rome IV criteria help doctors identify it by checking for symptoms like post-meal fullness and stomach pain with no visible disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Post-meal fullness, stomach pain, and bloating are common.
Doctors use symptom criteria and tests to rule out other issues.
Yes, stress can worsen symptoms.
No, it lacks the physical lesions seen in ulcers.
Wrapping Up
Functional dyspepsia might be common, but understanding it can help manage symptoms better.
References
- Ford AC, Mahadeva S, Carbone MF, et al. Functional dyspepsia. Lancet 2020; 396:1689.
- Ford AC, Marwaha A, Sood R, Moayyedi P. Global prevalence of, and risk factors for, uninvestigated dyspepsia: a meta-analysis. Gut 2015; 64:1049.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic. Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.
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