How is Functional Dyspepsia Diagnosed?
How is Functional Dyspepsia Diagnosed?A doctor can often use symptoms and medical history when diagnosing functional dyspepsia.
Your doctor may need to perform additional diagnostic tests if you:
- Have lost weight unexpectedly
- Are over 60 years old
- Have a family history of gastrointestinal cancer
- Bleeding or vomiting
- Have iron deficiency anemia
- Have trouble swallowing or pain with swallowing
Doctors at New York Presbyterian may consider the following tests depending on your specific symptoms. Many patients may be diagnosed without the majority of this testing:
- Upper Endoscopy
- Barium X-ray
- Blood tests
- Helicobacter Pylori (a bacteria that infects the stomach) stool test.
- Breath Tests to test for bacterial or methanogen overgrowth
- Gastric Emptying Test to see how fast the food in your stomach empties into your small intestines
- Esophageal pH monitoring
How is Functional Dyspepsia Treated?
How is Functional Dyspepsia Treated?Lifestyle changes
Stress and anxiety strongly affect digestion. So finding ways to relax can go a long way in reducing symptoms.
- Being more physically active
- Getting enough sleep
- Reducing stress can improve symptoms
- Incorporating stress-relieving activities into your daily routine, which include: yoga, regular exercise, massage, journaling, and spending time in nature.
- Identifying and avoiding foods that trigger functional dyspepsia symptoms may also help.
- Avoid using tobacco products and drinking alcohol, as these behaviors irritate the stomach lining, increasing indigestion.
Medication and medical procedures
At first, doctors may try to see if symptoms of functional dyspepsia improve with over-the-counter or prescription acid-blocking medications. These medications are called proton pump inhibitors and often have names like omeprazole, pantoprazole, esomeprazole, etc.
If the bacteria H pylori is found, it will likely be treated with antibiotics and acid-blocking medications.
If the pain continues despite these functional dyspepsia treatments, your doctor may try medications that alter the nerves or muscles in the stomach. These medications help improve the sensitivity of the nerves in the stomach, the stretching of the stomach muscles, or the emptying of the stomach.
Cognitive behavioral therapy and hypnosis have been found to be helpful for functional dyspepsia. Additionally, specific diets and identifying food triggers may be helpful. It is important to have a multidisciplinary team to help manage your symptoms.
Trust NewYork-Presbyterian for Functional Dyspepsia Treatment
Living with functional dyspepsia can be frustrating and painful. If you have symptoms, schedule an appointment with a NewYork-Presbyterian care team who will support you, assess your symptoms, and formulate a functional dyspepsia treatment plan to suit your needs. Call us and make an appointment to see what we can do for you.