Dyspepsia is pain or discomfort in the upper part of the abdomen. The symptoms of dyspepsia include:
- Heartburn (burning, painful feeling at the chest or throat)
- Bloating
- Pain in the upper abdomen
- Nausea and vomiting
- Burping
- Early sense of fullness after eating
Dyspepsia is often related to other diseases such as:
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Disease where the stomach acid flow back up the gullet and causing symptoms such as heartburn
- Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)
Sores/ulcers in the stomach, lower gullet and small intestine
- Problems with the pancreas or bile duct
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Stomach cancer (rare)
The chance of getting dyspepsia increases if you:
- drink a lot of alcohol
- take certain medicines such as aspirin
- often feel stressed or anxious
- have other stomach problems such as ulcer
What you can do
- Avoid large meals and overeating
- Avoid lying down 2 hours after eating
- Avoid drinking too much coffee, carbonated drinks, and/or alcohol
- Avoid tight fitting clothing and belts
- Avoid stooping/bending down too much
- Get enough rest
- Try to decrease emotional as well as physical stress
When to see a doctor
- Frequent vomiting/blood in vomit
- Weight loss or loss of appetite
- Black sticky stools
- Difficult or painful swallowing
- Shortness of breath, sweating, or pain that spreads to the jaw, neck, or arm
- Symptoms that lasts for more than 2 weeks or does not improve after taking medicines
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Updated in Nov 2018