Functional dyspepsia is a condition that impacts your digestive system. It is characterized by sensations of pain or burning around the stomach, feeling as if you are ‘full’ from a meal before you should, and feeling fuller than you should after eating. Nausea, heartburn, anaemia, and weight loss may also be present.
These symptoms do overlap with other conditions so it’s important to have them investigated. Diagnosis with FD occurs if the symptoms have been present for over 6 months and an endoscopy doesn’t reveal another explanation for the symptoms. Book your an appointment with a naturopath for a personalised approach to this condition.
Functional Dyspepsia: Causes
Once, functional dyspepsia was considered to simply arise without a cause. More recently, research has shown that there are causes. This type dyspepsia often develops following acute infectious gastritis. This suggests that there is a link between gastrointestinal inflammation and the development of functional dyspepsia.
Dyspepsia: Gut-Brain Connection
There is also a link between the brain and the gut. The combination of changes to the digestive system and abnormal brain function contribute to the development of functional dyspepsia. Changes to the gut microbiome and an overgrowth of proinflammatory bacteria lead to further changes in the gut.
The vagus nerve is the main link between the gut and the brain. Activity of the vagus nerve is impaired in functional dyspepsia, supporting and stimulating the vagus nerve helps to relieve the symptoms of this type of dyspepsia.
Naturopathic Support And Treatment
Herbs and nutrients that can be used to help support someone with functional dyspepsia include:
- Gentian: stimulate gastric secretions and reduce heartburn, abdominal pain, flatulence, vomiting, nausea, pain, and loss of appetite.
- Ginger: relieve symptoms including feeling of fullness, nausea, gastric pain, heartburn, and belching.
- Bromelain: helps to reduce gastrointestinal inflammation, intestinal permeability, and supports gastric emptying.
Have a chat with a naturopath for a personalised approach if you’re suffering from dyspepsia. Or, easily book an appointment by clicking the button below.
