Heartburn and Dyspepsia

Heartburn and dyspepsia can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

Eating Habits: Large or rich meals may overload the digestive system, causing the stomach and other organs to produce strong digestive juices, leading to irritation and discomfort.

Digestive System Functioning: Issues like acid reflux, where stomach acid escapes into the esophagus or duodenum, can cause burning sensations, bloating, and other discomforts associated with indigestion.

Perception of Pain: In functional dyspepsia, hypersensitivity of the nerves in the GI tract lowers the threshold for pain, leading to chronic discomfort even without an identifiable organic cause.

Diagnosing functional dyspepsia encompasses:

Symptom Pattern Assessment: The prescriber diagnoses functional dyspepsia based on the consistent pattern of symptoms, particularly when additional tests reveal no underlying disease.

Exclusion of Other Conditions: If symptoms persist, the prescriber may perform additional tests, such as gastroscopy or imaging scans, to rule out conditions like cancer, ulcers, or gallstones, although the gut lining typically appears normal in functional dyspepsia.

Treatment for functional dyspepsia and heartburn includes:

Lifestyle Changes: Modifications such as intentional weight loss, avoiding late-night meals, reducing alcohol, and quitting smoking can help manage symptoms. Regular exercise, particularly aerobic activity, may also offer relief.

Dietary Adjustments: Reducing caffeine, spicy foods, fatty foods, and citrus may improve symptoms. Smaller, more frequent meals are recommended, and for those with IBS, a referral to a dietitian for specialized guidance may be beneficial.

Medications: Antacids, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), H2 antagonists, and antidepressants (at low doses) can be used to reduce stomach acid and alleviate pain. If initial treatments are ineffective, a referral to specialized care, such as a psychologist or gastroenterologist, may be needed.

Preventing heartburn and dyspepsia includes:

Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, and drinking alcohol within recommended limits can significantly reduce the risk of indigestion.

Dietary Habits: Eating a balanced diet, having small regular meals instead of large ones, and avoiding late-night eating can help prevent symptoms.

Avoiding Triggers: Identifying and avoiding specific foods that trigger indigestion, such as onions, garlic, tomatoes, or spicy foods, can prevent flare-ups.

Read more about heartburn and dyspepsia on NHS website, following the link below:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heartburn-and-acid-reflux/