Dyspepsia

Dyspepsia: Introduction

The symptom "dyspepsia" or "indigestion" is not usually accurate enough for a full diagnosis. People use the word indigestion to mean various abdominal symptoms such as gas, wind, diarrhea, heartburn, reflux, nausea, abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, abdominal swelling, or other digestive symptoms. The causes of indigestion and these various digestive symptoms needs to be explored for more precise information.

» Review Causes of Dyspepsia: full list

Causes of Dyspepsia:

The following medical conditions are some of the possible causes of Dyspepsia. There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor about your symptoms.

• Various other possible symptoms described as "indigestion":
  • Gas
  • Wind (see Belching)
  • Diarrhea
  • Heartburn
  • Reflux
  • Nausea
  • Abdominal discomfort
  • Abdominal swelling
• Pregnancy
• Peptic ulcer
• Non-ulcer dyspepsia
• Esophagitis
• Hiatal hernia
• Gallstones
• Stomach cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Achalasia
• Chronic pancreatitis
• See also causes of gas, wind, diarrhea, heartburn, reflux, abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, abdominal swelling, or other digestive symptoms
• Cirrhosis
• Duodenal ulcer
• Acute gastric dilation
• Gastric ulcer
• Chronic gastritis (type of Gastritis)
• Heart failure
• Hepatitis
• Pulmonary embolus
• Pulmonary tuberculosis
• Uremia
• more causes...»

See full list of 63 causes of Dyspepsia

» Review Causes of Dyspepsia: full list

Causes of Types of Dyspepsia:

Review the causes of these more specific types of Dyspepsia:

• Indigestion (95 causes)
• Non-ulcer dyspepsia
• more types...»

Review causes of types of Dyspepsia in more specific categories:

• Dyspepsia in pregnancy (7 causes)
• more types...»

See full list of 5 types for Dyspepsia

Dyspepsia: Symptom Checker

Listed below are some combinations of symptoms associated with Dyspepsia, as listed in our database. Visit the Symptom Checker, to add and remove symptoms and research your condition.

Symptom Checker

• Dyspepsia: Symptom Checker

Symptom Checker

• Dyspepsia and Indigestion (44 causes)
• Dyspepsia and Digestive symptoms (43 causes)
• Dyspepsia and Pain (43 causes)
• Dyspepsia and Abdominal symptoms (42 causes)
• Dyspepsia and Nerve symptoms (41 causes)
• Dyspepsia and Sensations (40 causes)
• Dyspepsia and Abdominal pain (37 causes)
• Dyspepsia and Vomiting (31 causes)
• Dyspepsia and Swelling symptoms (30 causes)
• Dyspepsia and Nausea (27 causes)
• Dyspepsia and Fatigue (26 causes)
• Dyspepsia and Bowel problems (25 causes)
• Dyspepsia and Stool symptoms (24 causes)
• Dyspepsia and Weight loss (24 causes)
• Dyspepsia and Respiratory symptoms (24 causes)
• Dyspepsia and Abdominal swelling (23 causes)
• Dyspepsia and Chest pain (23 causes)
• Dyspepsia and Eating symptoms (23 causes)
• Dyspepsia and Muscle weakness (22 causes)
• Dyspepsia and Body symptoms (22 causes)
• more...»

See full list of 1988 Symptom Checker combinations related to Dyspepsia

Dyspepsia: Marketplace Products, Discounts & Offers

Products, offers and promotion categories available related to Dyspepsia:

• Digestive Health
• more product offers...»

Causes of General Symptom Types

Research the causes of these more general types of symptom:

• Indigestion (95 causes)
• Digestive symptoms (4279 causes)
• Abdominal symptoms (3027 causes)
• more symptoms...»

Causes of Similar Symptoms to Dyspepsia

Research the causes of these symptoms that are similar to, or related to, the symptom Dyspepsia:

• Acid reflux (26 causes)
• Indigestion (95 causes)
• Stomach ulcer
• Esophagitis
• Esophageal spasm
• Gastritis (38 causes)
• Epigastric hernia
• Liver abscess of left lobe
• Pyloric stenosis
• Bleeding peptic ulcer
• Pancreatitis (58 causes)
• Hiatus hernia (22 causes)
• Zenker's degeneration
• more symptoms...»

Diagnostic Guides for Dyspepsia

Medical Books Excerpts Read excertps from published book sections related to Dyspepsia from the following published medical books for more detailed information about Dyspepsia. Free access (no registration): read all online diagnostic book sections about Dyspepsia

Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Dyspepsia: Medical Mistakes

• GERD -- Health Mistakes
• Heartburn -- Health Mistakes
• Acid Reflux -- Health Mistakes
• more mistakes...»

Dyspepsia: Undiagnosed Conditions

Conditions that are commonly undiagnosed in related areas may include:

• Chronic Digestive Disorders that can remain Undiagnosed:
  • Crohn's Disease -- Undiagnosed
  • Ulcerative Colitis -- Undiagnosed
  • Celiac Disease -- Undiagnosed
  • Heartburn -- Undiagnosed
  • GERD -- Undiagnosed
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease -- Undiagnosed
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome -- Undiagnosed
  • Carcinoid Syndrome -- Undiagnosed
  • Pancreatitis -- Undiagnosed
• more undiagnosed conditions...»

Hospitals & Clinics: Dyspepsia

Research extensive quality ratings and patient safety measures for hospitals, clinics and medical facilities in health specialties related to Dyspepsia:

• Digestive Health (Gastroenterology) -- Hospital Quality Ratings
• more quality ratings...»

Research Hospital & Clinic Quality Ratings » »

Dyspepsia: Research Related Doctors & Specialists

• Digestive Health Specialists (Gastroenterology):
  • Gastroenterology (Digestive Specialists)
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology (Child Digestive Health)
• more specialists...»

Other ways to find a doctor, or use doctor, physician and specialist online research services:

• Rate Your Doctor by Taking a Survey Online
• Research Your Doctor
• View Online Patient Surveys from Other Patients of Your Doctor
• Research local doctors and specialists including ratings, affiliations, and sanctions.

Misdiagnosis and Dyspepsia

Chronic digestive conditions often misdiagnosed: When diagnosing chronic symptoms of the digestive tract, there are a variety of conditions that may be misdiagnosed. The best known, irritable bowel syndrome, is over...read more »

Intestinal bacteria disorder may be hidden cause: One of the lesser known causes of diarrhea is an imbalance of bacterial in the gut, sometimes called intestinal imbalance. The digestive system...read more »

Antibiotics often causes diarrhea: The use of antibiotics are very likely to cause some level of diarrhea in patients. The reason is that antibiotics kill off not only "bad" bacteria, but can also kill the "good" bacteria...read more »

Food poisoning may actually be an infectious disease: Many people who come down with "stomach symptoms" like diarrhea assume that it's "something I ate" (i.e. food poisoning). In fact, it's more likely to be an ...read more »

Mesenteric adenitis misdiagnosed as appendicitis in children: Because appendicitis is one of the more feared conditions for a child with abdominal pain, it can be over-diagnosed (it can, of course, also fail...read more »

Celiac disease often fails to be diagnosed cause of chronic digestive symptoms: One of the most common chronic digestive conditions is celiac disease, a malabsorption disorder with a variety of symptoms (see symptoms of...read more »

Chronic digestive diseases hard to diagnose: There is an inherent difficulty in diagnosing the various types of chronic digestive diseases. Some of...read more »

Common case of dyspepsia: Dyspepsia is a difficult and vague symptom evaluate and requires careful questioning. The discomfort may sometimes amount to pain and some of the conditions to be kept in mind in order to diagnose dyspeptic patients...read more »

Read more about Misdiagnosis and Dyspepsia

Dyspepsia: Related Rare Diseases

Rare types of medical conditions and diseases in related medical categories:

• Chronic Digestive Disorders -- Rare Types:
  • Crohn's Disease -- Rare Types
  • Ulcerative Colitis -- Rare Types
  • Celiac Disease -- Rare Types
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease -- Rare Types
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome -- Rare Types
  • Carcinoid Syndrome -- Rare Types
  • Pancreatitis -- Rare Types
  • Gallstones -- Rare Types
  • Lactose Intolerance -- Rare Types
• more rare diseases...»

Diagnostic tests for Dyspepsia:

Various tests are used in the diagnosis of Dyspepsia. Some of these are listed below :

• Physical examination
  • Look for evidence of anemia - e.g. pale skin and conjunctiva - may suggest chronic oesophagitis, chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer or stomach cancer.
  • Look for evidence of jaundice - e.g. yellows skin and sclera of eyes - may suggest gallstones that pass into common bile duct or cancer of the pancreas.
  • Abdominal examination for tenderness - e.g. tenderness in epigastric area (midline below ribs) may suggest peptic ulceration; tenderness over the right upper abdomen may suggest gall bladder disease.
  • Abdominal examination for mass - e.g. epigastric mass may suggest stomach cancer.
• more tests...»

See full list of 25 diagnostic tests for Dyspepsia

Diagnosis Checklist: Questions your doctor may ask (and why!)

During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques in their assessment of Dyspepsia. Your doctor may ask several questions when assessing your condition. It is important to remember that your consultation is a two-way process and any extra information you can share with your doctor about your symptoms may help them with their diagnosis. Some of the questions your doctor may ask are listed below:

• How long have you had dyspepsia? - to determine if acute or chronic. Chronic dyspepsia is defined as occurring for more than 3 months.
• What exactly do you mean by dyspepsia and how would you describe the discomfort? Dyspepsia or indigestion is a difficult, sometimes vague, symptom to define or evaluate. Dyspepsia is a discomfort related to eating which may include one or more of the following symptoms during or after the ingestion of food :- nausea, heartburn, regurgitation, upper abdominal discomfort, lower chest discomfort, acidity, sensation of fullness or unease in the upper abdomen, abdominal distention or excess wind e.g. A burning pain may suggest gastro-esophageal reflux; constricting pain may suggest angina, heart attack or esophageal spasm; deep gnawing pain may suggest peptic ulcer
• Can you point to exactly where the discomfort is and where it radiates to? - can help with diagnosis e.g. discomfort between the shoulder blades may suggest esophageal spasm, gall bladder disease or a duodenal ulcer; discomfort behind the sternum (breastbone) may suggest esophageal disorders or angina; discomfort in epigastrium (midline just below ribs) may suggest disorders of the biliary system, stomach or duodenum.
• Is there anything that makes the discomfort worse? - e.g. eating food may aggravate a gastric ulcer; eating fried or fatty foods will aggravate biliary disease, esophageal disorders and functional dyspepsia ( dyspepsia when no specific cause can be demonstrated); bending over will aggravate gastro-esophageal reflux; alcohol will aggravate gastro-esophageal reflux, oesophagitis, gastritis, peptic ulcer and pancreatitis.
• Is there anything you have found that makes the discomfort better? - e.g. eating food may relive a duodenal ulcer.
• more questions...»

See Diagnosis Checklist for Dyspepsia (37 listings)

Diagnosis Checklist: Associated symptoms your doctor may ask about (and why!)

Sometimes, other symptoms may be present and may help your doctor analyse your condition. The symptoms your doctor may ask about (in association with Dyspepsia) may include:

• Acid regurgitation? - may suggest gastro-esophageal reflux, or oesophagitis.
• Waterbrash (excess secretion of saliva into the mouth)? - may suggest gastro-esophageal reflux, hiatus hernia or peptic ulcer.
• Pain on swallowing? - may suggest oesophagitis (especially if with hot and cold fluids) or stomach cancer.
• Cough or wheeze at night? -may suggest gastro-esophageal reflux
• Symptoms of angina or heart attack? - e.g. a common mistake is to attribute the discomfort of angina or a heart attack to a disorder of the gastro-intestinal tract. Must consider heartburn symptoms to be ischemic heart disease until proved otherwise.
• more symptoms...»

See Diagnosis Checklist for Dyspepsia (37 listings)

Home Diagnostic Testing and Dyspepsia

Home medical tests possibly related to Dyspepsia:

• Food Allergies & Intolerances: Home Testing:
  • Home Food Allergy Tests
  • Home Food Intolerance Testing
  • Home Water Testing
  • Home Lead Poisoning Tests
  • Home Heavy Metal Poisoning Tests
• Digestive-Related Home Testing:
  • Home Stomach Ulcer Tests
  • Home Colorectal Cancer Test Kits
  • Home Fecal Occult Bleeding Test Kits
• more tests...»

Stories from Users for Dyspepsia

Real-life user stories relating to Dyspepsia:

• Suffering in silence.
• Stomach discomfort after eating
• suffered for 6 yrs
• 4½ Yrs of Suffering!!! DISCOVERY - Have Hope!
• Doctor's are stumped.. I am suffering! HELP

Symptom specific forums: The following patient stories in our interactive forums and message boards relate to Dyspepsia or relevant symptoms:

• Allergic/Immunologic (157)
  • Chronic hives
  • Non-stop itching, no rash
  • Spontaneous flushing and redness of face and body.
  • Swelling & itching
  • Problems with my scalp can anyone help me
  • More user stories
• Gastrointestinal (Food - from entry to exit) (775)
  • Bloating/Distention/Intestinal Gas
  • Intense Abdominal Pain
  • Feels like a baby kicking-not pregnant
  • Help Please! Extreme Abdominal Pain/Gas/Bowel Symptoms ++
  • Explosive Diarrhea after eating
  • More user stories
• Respiratory (Lungs and Breathing) (248)
  • Please help my baby
  • Chest Pain/Pain While Breathing
  • Chlorine/ammonia odor when I breathe
  • Clearing throat cough and breathing difficulties
  • Do I have stage 4 lung cancer?
  • More user stories

Videos for Dyspepsia

Patient Surveys for Dyspepsia

• Patient Profile Survey
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• Survey about diseases related to your Dyspepsia
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Medications or substances causing Dyspepsia:

The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible causes of Dyspepsia as a symptom. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

• Choline Magnesium Salicylate
• Trilisate
• Choline Salicylate
• Arthropan
• Teejel
• more causes...»

See full list of 25 medications causing Dyspepsia

Article Excerpts about Dyspepsia

Indigestion, also known as upset stomach or dyspepsia, is a painful or burning feeling in the upper abdomen, often accompanied by nausea, abdominal bloating, belching, and sometimes vomiting. (Source: excerpt from Indigestion: NIDDK)

Definitions of Dyspepsia:

A disorder of digestive function characterized by discomfort or heartburn or nausea
- (Source - WordNet 2.1)

Organs affected by Dyspepsia:

The list of organs typically affected by Dyspepsia may include, but is not limited to:

• Oesophagus
• Stomach

Detailed list of causes of Dyspepsia

The list below shows some of the causes of Dyspepsia mentioned in various sources:

• Abdominal discomfort
• Abdominal swelling
• Achalasia
• Achlorhydria - indigestion
• Acute gastric dilation
• After gastrointestinal surgery
• Alcohol
• Amebic dysentery - indigestion
• more causes...»

See full list of 63 causes of Dyspepsia

How Common are these Causes of Dyspepsia?

This information refers to the general prevalence and incidence of these diseases, not to how likely they are to be the actual cause of Dyspepsia. Of the 63 causes of Dyspepsia that we have listed, we have the following prevalence/incidence information:

• 5 causes are "very common" diseases
• 7 causes are "common" diseases
• 2 causes are "uncommon" diseases
• 0 causes are "rare" diseases
• 4 causes are "very rare" diseases
• 56 causes have no prevalence information.

See the analysis of the prevalence of 63 causes of Dyspepsia

Conditions listing symptoms: Dyspepsia:

The following list of conditions have 'Dyspepsia' or similar listed as a symptom in our database. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.

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Causes of Dyspepsia Based on Risk Factors

This information shows analysis of the list of causes of Dyspepsia based on whether certain risk factors apply to the patient: