Dyspepsia (Heartburn)
Dyspepsia, also called indigestion, is a problem that most adults experience at least once in their lifetime. Upper abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and belching are all symptoms of dyspepsia. Indigestion is often related to consumption of too much food, especially heavy or greasy foods, eating late at night, smoking, alcohol consumption, or life stress. For some individuals, dyspepsia occurs regularly and becomes a health and quality-of-life issue.
Upper abdominal discomfort
Sensation of bloating
Nausea with or without vomiting
Belching
Abdominal gas
Feeling full after eating small amounts (called early satiety)
Because symptoms similar to those of dyspepsia may indicate a serious medical condition, you should see your doctor if you have indigestion on a regular basis. If you have bloody stools or vomit blood you should see a doctor immediately. Medical problems that have similar symptoms include gastroesophageal reflux disease (known as GERD), peptic ulcer disease, stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and even heart disease (upper abdominal pain may be due to angina or heart attack).
Because dyspepsia can be a symptom of an underlying medical problem, your doctor may prescribe tests to look for these other conditions. These tests may include a barium swallow (an x-ray test in which the patient swallows a barium-containing solution to outline the gastrointestinal tract), upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (a lighted tube is passed through the esophagus into the stomach to look for abnormalities), or computed tomography (CT scan).
Avoid foods that trigger your dyspepsia symptoms.
Avoid factors that make indigestion worse, such as eating large meals, especially heavy or greasy foods, eating late at night, eating quickly, or eating before exercise.
Do not smoke.
Avoid alcohol, if it produces symptoms of dyspepsia.
Maintain a healthy weight, which helps to reduce symptoms of dyspepsia.
Exercise regularly (at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity on most days of the week) to reduce stress, control weight, and improve well-being, all of which may ease dyspepsia.
Follow your doctor's recommendations regarding medications for treating dyspepsia. These may include antacids, proton pump inhibitors, histamine-2 receptor blockers, and motility drugs (to help the stomach empty). Other medications may be prescribed for individuals with other medical problems that influence the symptoms of indigestion.
American College of Gastroenterology
http://www.acg.gi.org
American Gastroenterological Association
http://www.gastro.org
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
http://www.iffgd.org
<< Back to article index...
Two Offices conveniently located to serve you.
Janet M. Torpy, MD, Writer; Cassio Lynm, MA, Illustrator; Richard M. Glass, MD, Editor
JAMA. 2006;295(13):1612. doi:10.1001/jama.295.13.1612.
JAMA. 2006;295(13):1612. doi:10.1001/jama.295.13.1612.
Dyspepsia, also called indigestion, is a problem that most adults experience at least once in their lifetime. Upper abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and belching are all symptoms of dyspepsia. Indigestion is often related to consumption of too much food, especially heavy or greasy foods, eating late at night, smoking, alcohol consumption, or life stress. For some individuals, dyspepsia occurs regularly and becomes a health and quality-of-life issue.
SYMPTOMS
WHEN TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR
Because symptoms similar to those of dyspepsia may indicate a serious medical condition, you should see your doctor if you have indigestion on a regular basis. If you have bloody stools or vomit blood you should see a doctor immediately. Medical problems that have similar symptoms include gastroesophageal reflux disease (known as GERD), peptic ulcer disease, stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and even heart disease (upper abdominal pain may be due to angina or heart attack).
TESTING
Because dyspepsia can be a symptom of an underlying medical problem, your doctor may prescribe tests to look for these other conditions. These tests may include a barium swallow (an x-ray test in which the patient swallows a barium-containing solution to outline the gastrointestinal tract), upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (a lighted tube is passed through the esophagus into the stomach to look for abnormalities), or computed tomography (CT scan).
TREATMENT AND PREVENTION
FOR MORE INFORMATION
http://www.acg.gi.org
http://www.gastro.org
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
http://www.iffgd.org
<< Back to article index...
Two Offices conveniently located to serve you.
MIAMI - 1880 W 49 St. Suite 510, Hialeah, FL 33012. Telephone (305) 821-4555, FAX (305) 821-4563
PEMBROKE PINES - 17890 NW 2 St., Pembroke Pines, FL 33029. Telephone (954) 442-6090, FAX (954) 442-0070
Email: Info@luislugomd.com
DON'T WASTE TIME HOLDING ON THE TELEPHONE. Do you need to make a reservation? Check on a Referral? Request a Prescription Refill? Request Medical Records? No need to call the office. Get help fast by logging on to our PATIENT PORTAL. Ask us about WEB ENABLE on your next Office Visit. All of your Health Needs are right at your fingertips. You can even access your Health Information SECURLY from your Mobile Phone or Tablet. Download the free Mobile App Today. DOWNLOAD THE FREE HEALOW MOBILE APP BY CLICKING HERE, then find us by using our unique practice code. GGAHBA. To use the Patient Portal, please call the office and ask to be Web Enabled. You will need a valid Email Address to receive instructions on the Patient Portal. New Patients may also join us by clicking on the Patient Portal Link at the top of this page then click the Pre Registration Button. Note. Pre Registration is only for new Patients. Regular patients need to be Web Enabled. Call and ask us how to get access.
PEMBROKE PINES - 17890 NW 2 St., Pembroke Pines, FL 33029. Telephone (954) 442-6090, FAX (954) 442-0070
Email: Info@luislugomd.com
DON'T WASTE TIME HOLDING ON THE TELEPHONE. Do you need to make a reservation? Check on a Referral? Request a Prescription Refill? Request Medical Records? No need to call the office. Get help fast by logging on to our PATIENT PORTAL. Ask us about WEB ENABLE on your next Office Visit. All of your Health Needs are right at your fingertips. You can even access your Health Information SECURLY from your Mobile Phone or Tablet. Download the free Mobile App Today. DOWNLOAD THE FREE HEALOW MOBILE APP BY CLICKING HERE, then find us by using our unique practice code. GGAHBA. To use the Patient Portal, please call the office and ask to be Web Enabled. You will need a valid Email Address to receive instructions on the Patient Portal. New Patients may also join us by clicking on the Patient Portal Link at the top of this page then click the Pre Registration Button. Note. Pre Registration is only for new Patients. Regular patients need to be Web Enabled. Call and ask us how to get access.