Abdominal discomfort, pain, bloating of the upper tummy is known as dyspepsia. It is not a disease by itself but a collection of symptoms mostly related to meals. Patient may feel nauseated and can have early satiety with feeling of fullness of the abdomen. Some may use this term to describe indigestion.
Mild dyspepsia lasting for less than 2weeks does not need medical attention. However if dyspepsia lasts for more than this period and if symptoms are not getting better with alteration of your meals by eating less, and having less spicy food and abstaining from alcohol and smoking it is advised to see your doctor.
Your GP will treat you various drugs which reduce acidity in the stomach e.g anti acids, H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors etc. If there are recurrent symptoms that need to be investigated further by a specialist doctor who will carry out a camera test (endoscopy – gastroduodenoscopy) on you. That will allow us to check whether you have reflux oesophagitis(heart burn, reflux), Gastritis, Peptic ulcer disease, duodenitis, H pylori infection, presence of hiatus hernia etc. Knowledge on accurate diagnosis will enable us to treat you more appropriately.
In addition to above your doctor may ask you to undergo an ultrasound scan investigation of the abdomen. This is mostly to look into your gallbladder. Cholelithiasis or formation of bile stones in the gallbladder will also amount to non responsive dyspepsia.
Avoidance of alcohol, smoking, reduction of spicy food, food made with white refined flour will help in reducing the symptoms. Furthermore increase of water intake, refrain from caffeine containing foods like coffee, chocolate, tea etc will also help. Lifestyle modifications like exercises, avoidance of breaking rest and reduction of stress will be beneficial as well.