The definition and causes of dyspepsia
What is dyspepsia?
Dyspepsia is a term which includes a group of symptoms that come from a problem in your upper gut. The gut or 'gastrointestinal tract' is the tube that starts at the mouth, and ends at the anus. The upper gut includes the oesophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Various conditions cause dyspepsia.
The main symptom of dyspepsia is usually pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen. In addition, other symptoms that may also develop include: heartburn, bloating, belching, quickly feeling 'full' after eating, feeling sick (nausea) or vomiting. Symptoms tend to occur in 'bouts' which come and go, rather than being present all the time.
What causes dyspepsia?
Common causes
Most people have a bout of dyspepsia, often called indigestion, from time to time. For example, after a large spicy meal. In most cases it soon goes away and is of little concern. However, some people have frequent recurring bouts of dyspepsia which may be due to a condition of the gut. Most cases of recurring dyspepsia are due to one of the following:
- Functional dyspepsia. This is sometimes called 'non-ulcer' dyspepsia. It means that no known cause can be found for the symptoms. That is, other causes for dyspepsia such as duodenal ulcer, stomach ulcer, acid reflux, inflamed oesophagus (oesophagitis), gastritis, etc, are not the cause. The inside of your gut looks normal (if you have an endoscopy - see below). It is the most common cause of dyspepsia. About 6 in 10 people who have recurring bouts of dyspepsia have functional dyspepsia. The cause is not clear, although infection with H. pylori may account for some cases (see below).
- Duodenal and stomach (gastric) ulcers. An ulcer is where the lining of the gut is damaged and the underlying tissue is exposed. If you could see inside your gut, an ulcer looks like a small, red crater on the inside lining of the gut. These are sometimes called peptic ulcers.
- Duodenitis (inflammation of the duodenum) - which may be mild or more severe and a precursor to an ulcer.
- Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach) which may be mild or more severe and a precursor to an ulcer.
- Acid reflux, oesophagitis and GORD. Acid reflux is when some acid leaks up (refluxes) into the oesophagus from the stomach. Acid reflux may cause oesophagitis (inflammation of the lining of the oesophagus). The term gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a general term which means acid reflux, with or without oesophagitis.
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