Functional Dyspepsia (FD)

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is defined as chronic upper, centered abdominal discomfort or pain excluding the predominant symptom, heartburn. Associated symptoms are early satiety, nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, bloating, and anorexia. For many years motor (movement) abnormalities in the stomach have been investigated and thought to be the cause of FD. As usual, psychosomatic theories are popular and patients are often prescribed tranquilizers or antidepressants.  Stress and anxiety are linked to motility problems and inadequate theories of FD (and IBS) were formulated.

FD suffers responds poorly to common drug therapies and the majority of sufferers have episodic symptoms that reduce the quality of life and result in increased use of healthcare resources.

Since FD is a rather vague diagnosis, symptoms often overlap with peptic ulcers, esophagitis and irritable bowel syndrome. It is easy to confuse acid reflux into the esophagus (GERD) with FD. Most gastroenterologists will not classify heartburn as “dyspepsia.” If esophagitis is present, FD cannot be diagnosed. By strict definition, patients with FD have undergone upper intestinal endoscopy that has revealed no lesions that can explain symptoms. Investigation may include testing and possibly treatment for Helicobacter pylori. If infection is present, antisecretory therapy with H2-receptor antagonists or proton-pump inhibitors can be tried but these therapies are often not effective. One has to recall that H Pylori is often found in asymptomatic patients and their presence does not automatically mean that they are the cause of disease.

FD Management

Here are the basic principles:

Digestive disorders are common diseases that originate in the food supply. Diet revision should be primary therapy. The solution is to adjust the incoming food supply until the problem is resolved.

The gastrointestinal tract is a sensing, reactive device which monitors the material flowing through it. Symptoms arising from this system provide information about its dysfunction. Seven basic symptoms alert the patient to gastrointestinal tract displeasure with food choices - nausea, heartburn, vomiting, bloating, pain, constipation and diarrhea.

Further down in the stomach, a surface reaction results in upper-middle abdominal pain and nausea; sometimes nausea and even vomiting are triggered. These are defensive responses that reject the offending food and usually relieves pain and other discomforts. Some patients induce vomiting to avoid discomforts after eating.

Recurrent irritation in the upper GIT is food-caused until proven otherwise. Obviously smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages, coffee and teas are the first problems to eliminate, but surface "allergy" to common, "normal" foods may also be responsible.

Symptoms from the upper digestive tract are often associated with lower abdominal pain, bloating, constipation and diarrhea. A trial of diet revision can provide prompt relief. If the clearing diet is unsuccessful, further investigation is always required.

Self-therapy of milder symptoms - dyspepsia and early ulcer-like symptoms consists of retreating to Alpha Nutrition Phase 1 foods, using brown rice instead of white rice.

Phase 1 of the Alpha Nutrition should be sustained for 2 weeks or until all symptoms are gone and then food is reintroduced using the medium track. Foods from Phases 2 and 3 are slowly reintroduced next.  If adequate diet revision does not resolve symptoms promptly and/or prevent recurrent gastritis or ulcers, you need further medical assessment and treatment.

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Food & Digestive Disorders

Alpha Nutrition Program

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