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Functional dyspepsia

Functional dyspepsia (dis-PEP-see-uh) is a term for recurring symptoms of an upset stomach that have no obvious cause. Functional dyspepsia also is called nonulcer dyspepsia.

Functional dyspepsia is common. It is a constant condition but symptoms don’t happen all the time. Symptoms resemble those of an ulcer. They include pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen, bloating, belching and nausea.

Symptoms of functional dyspepsia may include:

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your health care provider if you experience persistent symptoms that worry you.

Seek medical attention right away if you experience:

No one knows what causes functional dyspepsia. Health care providers consider it a functional disorder. That means it can’t be explained by a medical condition, so routine testing may not show any problems or causes. As a result, the diagnosis is based on symptoms.

Some factors can increase the risk of functional dyspepsia. They include:

Your health care provider most likely will review your symptoms and perform a physical exam. Several tests can help find the cause of your discomfort and rule out other disorders. These may include:

In some cases, you may have other tests to see how well your stomach empties its contents.

Functional dyspepsia that can’t be managed with lifestyle changes may need treatment. Treatment depends on your symptoms. It may combine medicines and behavior therapy.

Medicines

Some medicines may help manage symptoms of functional dyspepsia. They include:

Behavior therapy

Working with a counselor or therapist may relieve symptoms that aren’t helped by medicines. A counselor or therapist can show you relaxation techniques to help you cope with your symptoms. You may also learn ways to reduce stress to help manage your symptoms.

Your health care provider may recommend lifestyle changes to help you control your functional dyspepsia.

Make changes to your diet

Changes to what you eat and how you eat might help control your symptoms. Try to:

Reduce stress in your daily life

Stress-reduction techniques or relaxation therapy may help you manage your symptoms. To reduce stress, spend time doing hobbies, sports and other things you enjoy.

People with functional dyspepsia often turn to complementary and alternative medicines to help them cope. Further studies are needed before complementary and alternative medicines can be recommended. But they may provide some symptom relief when used with other approaches suggested by your health care provider.

If you’re interested in complementary and alternative treatments, talk to your provider about:

You may start by seeing your primary care provider. Or you may be referred right away to a doctor who specializes in the treatment of diseases of the stomach and intestines (gastroenterologist).

Here’s some information to help you get ready for your appointment.

What you can do

When you make the appointment, ask if there’s anything you need to do in advance, such as fasting before having a specific test. Make a list of:

Take a family member or friend along, if possible, to help you remember the information you’re given.

For functional dyspepsia, some basic questions to ask your provider include:

Don’t hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your provider is likely to ask you several questions, such as:

What you can do in the meantime

Avoid doing anything that seems to worsen your symptoms.

© 1998-2024 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved.

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