Dyspepsia or indigestion refers to discomfort and / or pain that occurs in the upper abdomen. Some patients complain of pain, bloating, heartburn, or nausea, while others experience indigestion, but generally speaking, everyone experiences discomfort in that area. Dyspepsia is defined as a set of symptoms that originate in the upper gastrointestinal tract, in the absence of a structural cause or metabolic disease that can explain them.
In patients with dyspepsia, the stomach does not relax in response to a meal, and disturbances in gastric contractions and emptying are also observed. In some cases, it may also present an increased perception of gastric activity, which is called visceral hypersensitivity.
The causes of this condition are unknown in most patients. In some cases, symptoms may appear after an excessive meal or when ingesting certain medications that damage the gastric mucosa, such as aspirin or anti-inflammatories.
It is also possible that the cause is due to psychological problems, such as stress, anxiety or depression.
Some patients with dyspepsia may have a wound or erosion, called an ulcer, in the stomach or duodenum area, caused mainly by a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori.
The causes of most cases of dyspepsia are excessive alcohol consumption, eating spicy or very fatty foods, and eating large amounts of food in a short time.
Other reasons may be smoking, foods high in fiber, or consuming too much caffeine.
The main symptom of dyspepsia is discomfort in the upper abdomen, which occurs during or after meals.
This pain is described as heat or burning in the area between the navel and the lower part of the breastbone, and the feeling of inflammation is altered when or after you start eating. Other symptoms that can also occur, although to a lesser extent, are bloating or nausea.
Dyspepsia, in general, is not a serious health problem, unless it is accompanied by other symptoms, such as weight loss or discomfort when swallowing. It is recommended that the patient attend the specialist if the symptoms persist for several days in a row, there is considerable weight loss or problems swallowing food.
The condition is considered serious if you have other symptoms such as: yellowing of the skin and eyes called jaundice, or blood in the stool or vomit.
