Dyspepsia: The Difficult Digestion

Dyspepsia, a term of Greek origin, translates to "difficult digestion". It is a syndrome characterized by discomfort related to the upper digestive tract, often attributable to the consumption of food and drinks. This blog post aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of dyspepsia, its types, symptoms, causes, and various treatment methods.

Causes of Dyspepsia

The causes of dyspepsia can be traced to several factors:

• Altered gastric adaptation to food intake.
• Delayed gastric emptying.
• Visceral hypersensitivity.
• Altered motility of the small intestine.
• Alteration of motor nervous control.

Symptoms of Dyspepsia

To diagnose dyspepsia, the primary symptoms must have been present for at least six months and consistently for the last three:

• Epigastric pain.
• Postprandial fullness.
• Early satiety.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Belching.

Consultation with a healthcare professional or a gastroenterologist is recommended for a specific diagnosis.

Classifying Dyspepsia

Dyspepsia can be classified based on the symptomatic picture into postprandial and epigastric pain dyspepsia. Diagnostic systems include abdominal ultrasound, gastroscopy, and neurological investigations, among others.

Depending on the causes, dyspepsia can be defined as:

Organic Dyspepsia

Organic dyspepsia is secondary to digestive or extra-digestive tract pathologies. The triggering factors can vary and may include digestive pathologies like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), esophageal neoplasms, peptic ulcer, gastric neoplasms, biliary lithiasis, and pancreatopathies.

Functional Dyspepsia

Functional dyspepsia is recognizable by the absence of organic problems. The cause may be a motor dysfunction caused by the loss of nitrergic neurons in the stomach wall (sensory and motor).

Dietary Guidelines

Diet for dyspepsia is a crucial factor. Some general advice includes:

• Chew thoroughly.
• Regularize meals.
• Divide the diet into at least 5-6 meals a day.
• Choose light cooking methods: boiling, steaming, etc.

Certain foods and behaviours should be avoided:

• Large meals and portions.
• Fasting.
• Eating before bed or eating excessively before remaining still.

Natural Remedies for Dyspepsia

When it comes to treating dyspepsia, various medicinal plants and supplements have been proposed as potential remedies. Here are some of them:

• Angelica: Known for its soothing properties, Angelica may help reduce stomach discomfort.
• Mugwort and Centaury: These herbs are believed to stimulate the digestive process, potentially easing dyspepsia symptoms.
• Gentian and Burnet: Renowned for their digestive benefits, these plants may help alleviate symptoms like bloating and fullness.
• Rosemary and Cranberry: These are often used for their antioxidant properties, which may help protect the digestive tract.
• Tilia Tormentosa and Yarrow: These plants may aid in reducing inflammation, a common issue in dyspepsia.
• Anise and Bitter Orange: These are thought to help with acid reflux and heartburn, common symptoms of dyspepsia.
• Woodruff, Calamus, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Blessed Thistle, Cinchona, Coriander, Hyssop, Mint, Peppermint, Rhubarb, and Verbena: These herbs are believed to have various digestive benefits, which may help alleviate dyspepsia symptoms.

While these remedies may offer potential benefits, it's essential to remember that their effectiveness may vary from person to person, and their use should always be supervised by a healthcare professional.

Pharmacological Treatments

Pharmacological treatments for dyspepsia vary based on the underlying cause:

• Histamine H2 receptor antagonists: ranitidine, cimetidine, famotidine, and nizatidine.
• Antacids.
• Proton pump inhibitors: Pantoprazole, Omeprazole, Lansoprazole.
• Gastric mucosal protectors: Sucralfate, Bismuth compounds.
• Antibiotics against Helicobacter pylori: Amoxicillin, Metronidazole, Clarithromycin.

Prevention and Medical Treatments

Prevention of dyspepsia, when possible, involves preventing or treating gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastritis, peptic ulcers, biliary lithiasis, pancreatopathies, and avoiding the loss of gastric neurons.

Medical treatments involve surgery aimed at removing tumors and compromised tissues. For dyspepsia caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease, surgery aims to restore the functionality of the gastroesophageal sphincter. If caused by peptic ulcer, the cutting of the gastric branches of the vagus nerve is done to reduce gastric secretion. For dyspepsia caused by biliary lithiasis, traditional cholecystectomy or video laparosurgery is performed.

In conclusion, dyspepsia is a complex condition with various causes and symptoms. It requires careful diagnosis and treatment. Always consult with a healthcare professional if you suspect you have dyspepsia.