Food Functional Dyspepsia

Functional dyspepsia is a common gastrointestinal disorder characterized by chronic or recurrent upper abdominal discomfort or pain, often accompanied by symptoms such as early satiety, bloating, belching, nausea, and postprandial fullness. Unlike organic gastrointestinal diseases, functional dyspepsia does not have an identifiable structural or biochemical abnormality, making diagnosis challenging and often based on the presence of symptoms alone. The exact cause of functional dyspepsia is not fully understood but is believed to involve multiple factors, including impaired gastric motility, visceral hypersensitivity, altered gut-brain interactions, psychological factors, and dietary triggers. Certain foods and beverages, such as fatty or spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated beverages, may exacerbate symptoms in individuals with functional dyspepsia. Stress, anxiety, depression, and other psychosocial factors can also influence symptom severity and frequency. Treatment of functional dyspepsia focuses on symptom management and improving quality of life rather than curing the underlying condition. Lifestyle modifications, including dietary changes, stress reduction techniques, and regular exercise, are often recommended as first-line therapy. Pharmacological treatments such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), H2-receptor antagonists, prokinetic agents, and antidepressants may be prescribed to alleviate symptoms and improve gastric motility. However, response to medication varies among individuals, and long-term use of some medications may be associated with adverse effects. In addition to conventional treatments, complementary and alternative therapies such as herbal supplements, acupuncture, and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may provide symptom relief for some patients with functional dyspepsia. Dietary interventions for functional dyspepsia typically involve identifying and avoiding trigger foods and adopting a well-balanced diet that includes small, frequent meals and adequate fiber intake. Probiotics, herbal remedies, and low-FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) diets have also been investigated for their potential benefits in managing functional dyspepsia symptoms.