Functional dyspepsia arises from miscommunication between the brain and stomach nerves, making you hypersensitive to normal stimuli. Triggers like larger meals, spicy or fatty dishes, alcohol, and acidic items that wouldn't trouble others can cause discomfort or pain due to overreaction in the brain. Feeling full and uncomfortable can also result from the stomach's failure to expand properly while accommodating food.
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Functional dyspepsia is a gut-brain interaction disorder characterized by symptoms like early satiety (feeling full quickly when eating), excessive fullness after meals, and stomach pain or burning beneath the ribcage. Despite the absence of “visible” diseases like acid reflux or ulcers, these symptoms occur due to heightened sensitivity of the stomach nerves. Testing often returns “normal” for inflammation, but that doesn’t lessen the symptoms that may be causing you significant distress.
Diagnosing functional dyspepsia involves excluding other possible conditions like acid reflux, ulcers, and slow stomach emptying. Sometimes, a lack of response to strong acid suppression treatment can indicate functional dyspepsia. A comprehensive assessment may be needed for an accurate diagnosis.
Functional dyspepsia can be managed through diet adjustments and medications. Our dietitians will collaborate with you to understand your eating habits, triggers, and symptoms, tailoring recommendations for meal size, frequency, and composition to minimize hypersensitivity. Over-the-counter dietary supplements can also aid symptom management.
When dietary changes aren't sufficient, medications can help target irregular brain-gut signals. Certain antidepressants, used in lower doses than for depression treatment, can interrupt abnormal pain processing. Behavioral interventions guided by GI psychologists can additionally reshape how your brain interprets digestive signals.
Remember, each individual's experience varies, so consulting with a healthcare professional is essential to develop a tailored approach for managing functional dyspepsia.