User:Mr. Ibrahem/Indigestion
Medical condition / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia or upset stomach, is the symptoms of upper abdominal discomfort, heartburn, or reflux.[2] It may also include abdominal fullness, nausea, belching, and feeling full earlier than expected when eating.[5][6] These symptoms are often long-term or recurrent.[6] It may decrease quality of life.[1]
Mr. Ibrahem/Indigestion | |
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Other names | Dyspepsia, upset stomach |
Location of the upper abdomen, also known as the epigastrium | |
Specialty | Gastroenterology |
Symptoms | Upper abdominal discomfort, heartburn, reflux[1][2] |
Causes | GERD, gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, esophageal spasm, delayed gastric emptying, lactose intolerance, coronary artery disease, cancer[3] |
Diagnostic method | Resting for H. pylori, endoscopy[1] |
Prevention | Avoiding smoking, alcohol, coffee, chocolate, fatty foods, and being overweight[2] |
Treatment | Antacids, proton pump inhibitors, H2 receptor antagonists[2][4] |
Frequency | Common[1] |
Causes may include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, esophageal spasm, delayed gastric emptying, lactose intolerance, coronary artery disease, and cancer.[3] A number of medications may also causes problems including NSAIDs, bisphosphonates, and corticosteroids.[2] Functional indigestion may be diagnosed when there are symptoms but no evidence of underlying disease.[3]
In people over the age of 60 or with worrisome symptoms such as trouble swallowing, weight loss, or low red blood cells, endoscopy (a procedure where a camera on a flexible tube is inserted down the throat to the stomach) is recommended to assess potential causes.[1] In people under 60, testing for the bacteria H. pylori and if positive, treatment is recommended.[1] In Asia endoscopy is recommended in those over 35 years old.[1]
Measures that may help include avoiding smoking, alcohol, coffee, chocolate, fatty foods, and being overweight.[2] Not eating just before bed and raising the head of the bed may also help.[2] Often antacids help, while the addition of viscous lidocaine is of unclear benefit.[4] Proton pump inhibitors are often used, and H2 receptor antagonists may be added to this.[2]
Indigestion is common, affecting about 20% of people at some point during their life.[1] Functional indigestion makes up the majority of cases in Western countries, affecting about 15% of people.[7][8] Indigestion is not associated with a decrease in life expectancy. [1] The term is from the Greek "dys" meaning "bad" and "pepse" meaning "digestion".[5] Desciptions of the condition date from the 18th century.[5]