Are There Different Types Of Functional Dyspepsia
Some healthcare specialists classify functional dyspepsia symptoms into two categories:
- Epigastric pain syndrome refers to only those symptoms associated with upper abdominal pain and burning.
- Postprandial distress syndrome refers to only those symptoms that occur after eating, such as early fullness, bloating and nausea.
Not everyones symptoms fall neatly into these two categories, but when they do, it helps healthcare specialists focus on treating those symptoms as a group.
How do I tell if I have functional dyspepsia vs. gastritis?
Gastritis and dyspepsia share many symptoms, and you can have both. Gastritis, which is inflammation of the stomach lining, usually has a traceable cause. It might be a bacterial infection, overuse of certain pain medications that erode the stomach lining , or too much stomach acid. These things can be tested for and treated. If you have functional dyspepsia, gastritis may be part of the equation, but not all of it. You may discover and treat the cause of your gastritis and experience some relief from those symptoms, but not total relief.
How do I tell if I have functional dyspepsia vs. GERD?
How do I tell if I have functional dyspepsia vs. IBS?
Is It An Ulcer Or Gerd
These two common digestive health problems are easily confused. Find out how doctors can tell the difference.
That burning sensation in your stomach could be an ulcer or it might be gastroesophageal reflux disease , a chronic acid reflux condition.
Either way, you should schedule a doctors visit to find out whether you have GERD or an ulcer. Both ulcers and GERD can be treated with the help of a gastroenterologist.
Ulcer or GERD: Stomach Discomfort
The two conditions are actually different, even if they make you feel equally miserable. By some estimates, one in five people experience heartburn at least weekly. Stomach discomfort can easily have a negative effect on your life, leading to:
- Lost sleep
- Problems with eating and drinking
Ulcer or GERD: Understanding the Differences
An ulcer is a small sore or lesion in the lining of your stomach or duodenum, the first part of your intestine. This sore is often aggravated by your stomach acid, but is usually not caused by the acid itself. More likely, the cause is either a bacterium known as Helicobacter pylori or taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs .
GERD, on the other hand, means that your stomach acid is coming up from your stomach into your esophagus, causing a burning sensation and unpleasant taste in the back of your mouth. This has to occur at least twice a week to be considered GERD.
Ulcer or GERD: Know the Symptoms
An ulcer often comes with these symptoms:
Ulcer or GERD: Making the Diagnosis
What Happens After Treatment
A repeat gastroscopy is usually advised a few weeks after treatment has finished. This is mainly to check that the ulcer has healed. It is also to be doubly certain that the âulcerâ was not due to stomach cancer. If your ulcer was caused by H. pylori then a test is advised to check that the H. pylori infection has gone. This is done at least four weeks after the course of combination therapy has finished.
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Gerd Diet: The Best Foods For Controlling Reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is characterized by a defective anti-reflux barrier at the gastroesophageal junction, which allows stomach acid to escape back up the esophagus. It affects the entire digestive tract and can cause issues ranging from heartburn and persistent cough to esophagitis, ulcers, and cancer. There are many medications and treatments for GERD, depending on the severity of the disease. Making a few deliberate dietary changes is one of the more simple steps a person who suffers from GERD can take to help lessen these effects.
There are many foods that can increase the production of stomach acid, which in turn amplifies the symptoms of GERD. Some common trigger foods for GERD sufferers are fatty foods, spicy foods, citrus fruits, and caffeine. In addition to other lifestyle changes and medical treatments, avoiding trigger foods can help reduce the effects of GERD. The following items are good options for people who suffer from acid reflux.
What Foods To Eat For Acid Reflux
What to eat for acid reflux? If you have acid reflux, eat simply. That is, choose plain foods that are on the blander side and avoid problematic foods that are known to worsen acid reflux. Research what foods you respond well to and focus on them. As a general recommendation, avoid heavy foods, high in fat or oil, spices, heavily seasoned and fried foods, even roasted stuff, acidic, fermented, sour or matured foods. Opt for boiled, steamed or grilled food. For me, the following foods in particular are good for my acid reflux:
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Best Foods To Eat When You Have A Stomach Ulcer
Stomach ulcers may require lifestyle and dietary changes to manage them while they are healing. Acid reducing medications may also be beneficial. Previously, a bland diet was recommended for stomach ulcers but current research does not support that idea.
Dietary modifications can help, but spicy foods arent necessarily an irritant. Doctors now emphasize a diet rich in vegetables and fruits. The best foods to eat when you have a stomach ulcer include:
Dietary fiber
This includes oats, legumes, flax seeds, nuts, oranges, apples, and carrots. These foods are good for you because they can help prevent ulcers from developing.
Vitamin A rich foods
Foods like broccoli, sweet potatoes, kale, spinach, and collard greens contain vitamin A. These foods increase the mucus production in your gastrointestinal tract, which some believe can help prevent ulcers.
Green tea
Emerging research indicates that green tea can help fight off H. pylori.
Flavonoid-rich foods
This includes garlic, onions, cranberries, strawberries, blueberries, and snap peas. Research suggests that these foods can help protect your gut against chronic gastritis, H. pylori infection, and stomach cancer. These foods help inhibit H. pylori growth.
Cranberry juice
This tart juice can potentially reduce the risk of H. pylori overgrowth in your stomach and prevent inflammation.
There are certain foods that could irritate your stomach ulcer, and it might be a good idea to limit them. Those foods include:
What Is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is when someone has reflux more than twice a week. Its a more serious condition than GER. Doctors usually treat it with medicine.
GERD can be a problem if its not treated because, over time, the reflux of stomach acid damages the tissue lining the esophagus, causing inflammation and pain. In adults, long-lasting, untreated GERD can lead to permanent damage of the esophagus.
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Is Cream Cheese Bad For Acid Reflux
In general, all cream cheese products are a trigger for reflux, thats why you should avoid them.
However, there are some differences to point out.
The most important is that low-fat cream cheese and even better fat-free cream cheese make a much smaller contribution to the occurrence of acid reflux and heartburn than full-fat cream cheese.
Its a matter of choice, you must avoid the ones that for sure can trigger reflux more than others.
To this end, you can replace full-fat cream cheese with some good alternatives, such as:
- peanut butter
- jam
Eating in small portions may help in turn, just because heavy meals are a trigger in most cases, whatever foods you introduce.
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Tips To Help Manage Acid Reflux
The food you eat has a significant impact on your acid reflux management. On the other hand, the way you eat has a considerable effect on managing your symptoms.
- Track your symptoms and the foods that help you feel better.
- Reduce the size of your meals.
- It is important to eat slowly and chew your meal thoroughly.
- Drink as much liquid as possible throughout the day, ideally between meals and snacks.
- Instead of eating a large dinner, opt for two smaller ones during breakfast and lunch.
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Other Safe And Effective Strategies To Eliminate Heartburn And Acid Reflux
Besides addressing your day-to-day diet and optimizing your gut flora, a number of other strategies can also help you get your heartburn under control, sans medications. The following suggestions are drawn from a variety of sources, including EverydayRoots which lists 15 different natural remedies for heartburn as well as research from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and others.
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How Are Medicines Used To Treat Gerd
Antacids, H2 blockers, and proton pump inhibitors are usually tried first to treat GERD and its symptoms. These can be either prescription or over-the-counter.
Medicines can:
- Relieve symptoms .
- Allow the esophagus to heal.
- Prevent problems caused by GERD.
You may take:
- Antacids. These include Mylanta and Tums. Antacids neutralize stomach acid and relieve heartburn. If you want to take medicine only when your symptoms bother you, antacids are a good choice.
- Acid reducers, such as:
- H2 blockers. These include cimetidine and famotidine . H2 blockers reduce the amount of acid in the stomach. Most are sold in both over-the-counter and prescription strength.
- PPIs. These include lansoprazole and omeprazole . PPIs reduce the amount of acid in the stomach. Some are available over-the-counter.
If your daily medicine doesn’t control your GERD symptoms, talk with your doctor. You may need to try a different medicine.
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What Causes A Stomach Ulcer
It is commonly said that spicy food and stress cause stomach ulcers but that is not the case at all. Stress and spicy foods can aggravate a stomach ulcer but most of the time stomach ulcers are caused by an infection caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, also known as H.Pylori.
Other times ulcers are brought on by the long-term use of aspirin or anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen and Aleve. Always use these over the counter drugs sparingly and consult your physician for alternate pain management solutions.
What Are The Symptoms Of Functional Dyspepsia
Dyspepsia symptoms are sporadic: They come and go without clear reasons, and its hard to tell if anything in particular makes them better or worse. While functional dyspepsia is chronic ongoing over a long period of time it may disappear for a while and then return for unknown reasons. To be diagnosed, you must have had symptoms within the last three months and persistently for at least six months. Youll also have more than one of the following symptoms:
- Epigastric pain. This is pain in the upper abdomen under the ribcage. This region, called the epigastrium, is home to your stomach, small intestine, pancreas and liver.
- Bloated stomach. Feelings of uncomfortable pressure or fullness in your belly, especially after eating.
- Early satiety or loss of appetite. Feeling full very quickly after or during eating.
- Heartburn. This is a burning pain in the region between the stomach and the esophagus, usually due to acid reflux.
- Acid reflux. Stomach acid comes up from your stomach through your esophagus, leading to a burning sensation and often a sour taste in your mouth.
- Nausea and vomiting. In severe cases, fullness and loss of appetite may develop into actual nausea or vomiting.
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What To Ask Your Doctor
Create a list of 3 to 6 questions to ask your doctor during your appointment. Specifically, you may want to ask your doctor some of the following:
- Do you think I have GERD?
- What diagnostic tests do I need?
- How serious is my condition? Am I at risk for additional complications?
- Are there other possible causes for my condition?
- What do you think is causing my symptoms?
- What lifestyle or diet changes can I make to improve my condition?
- What treatment approach do you recommend trying first?
- Do these tests require any special preparation?
- What are the treatment options for GERD?
- Does my medical history limit any of my treatment options?
- Will over-the-counter medicines help? If so, which would you recommend?
- Would prescribed medications be better? Why or why not?
- How long should I expect to take this medication?
- Should I be referred to a gastroenterologist ?
- Am I at risk for Barretts esophagus?
- Should I consider testing for Barretts esophagus?
Whats Wrong With Conventional Treatments For Gerd
Studies also show that, unfortunately, proton pump inhibitors for GERD are ineffective for the majority of patients who have non-erosive disease. Even if symptoms go away, this doesnt necessarily mean that the real damage is healing.
Doctors usually diagnose GERD using a combination of evaluation of clinical symptoms, response to acid suppression, and testing using upper endoscopy and esophageal pH monitoring. Once diagnosed, there are several categories of GERD medications typically used by the majority of healthcare providers, usually to decrease hydrochloric acid levels. To be clear these medications dont target the underlying reasons GERD develops . GERD medications normally include:
- Antacids, such as the brand Tums, Maalox, Mylanta and Rolaids
- H2 acid blockers, such as Tagamet, Pepcid, Axid and Zantac. These seem to work at least temporarily by partially blocking acid production
- Proton pump inhibitors , such as Prilosec, Prevacid and Nexium. These are used in hopes of completely blocking stomach acid production. These drugs are extremely commonly prescribed and huge money-makers globally in the pharmaceutical world, ranking in the top five prescription categories for many years in a row
- Its been found that most patients can be effectively managed with medical therapy and lifestyle changes, but in some cases where these dont work, anti-reflux surgery is sometimes performed
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When Should You Be On A Bland Diet
The premise of a bland diet is avoiding or at least limiting your intake of foods that can irritate the digestive system. A bland diet is therefore recommended for individuals dealing with certain health conditions or recovering from surgery.
Some of these conditions include acid reflux or frequent heartburn, diarrhea, eosinophilic esophagitis, ulcers, frequent gallstones, and hiatal hernia. People who are looking to lose weight and breastfeeding women who have a sensitive stomach can benefit from a bland diet, too.
Gerd Treatment In Nashville Tn
If you need treatment for acid reflux and GERD in Middle Tennessee, the surgeons and doctors at The Surgical Clinics can help. We want you to know that surgery is the last resort when treating GERD. Many cases can be adequately treated with medications that reduce stomach acid production and help the esophagus heal.
However, if these approaches do not work, we can perform surgery that strengthens the LES with either implants or surgical modification. With our access to advanced surgical techniques and resources, we also offer groundbreaking GERD treatments that many patients have benefited from.
Contact the Surgical Clinic to schedule your GERD consultation today.
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Does Functional Dyspepsia Ever Go Away
Among those who seek medical care for their functional dyspepsia, only 20% report permanent relief. How long does functional dyspepsia last? For most people, its a chronic condition that comes and goes indefinitely, depending on many factors. The best thing you can do is to try and manage your symptoms as they arise, and try to develop an awareness of the foods, stress triggers and lifestyle habits that affect your symptoms. The good news is that FD is not a dangerous or progressive condition. It should get better at least at times, and it shouldnt get worse.
Gerd Diet Plan: Best & Worst Foods + Natural Remedies
Gastroesophageal reflux disease causes daily persistent heartburn, also called acid reflux, in nearly 1 in 5 American adults. This chronic condition, caused by inflammation and dysfunctions of the stomach, leads to tissue damage that erodes the esophagus. Why might someone develop GERD or acid reflux? A large body of research shows that root causes of GERD and risk factors include: obesity, untreated food allergies, leaky gut syndrome, smoking, high stress levels and poor circulation.
Because of all the risks associated with long-term use of GERD and acid reflux/heartburn medications, many people choose to successfully treat GERD naturally. They make lifestyle changes and switch to a healthier diet. Eating a GERD diet which includes cutting out various processed foods, alcohol and caffeine is the very first place to turn your attention towards when tackling this painful condition.
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So How Do They Work Exactly
Antioxidant-rich foods like cherries, blueberries, kale, and spinach boost your immune system to more effectively fight infections and even help ward off stomach cancer.
Whats more, mom was right about forcing you to eat broccoli. Research indicates that sulforaphane, a compound found in broccoli, shows anti-H. pylori functionality.
Probiotic foods can be a little more complicated to work into your diet, but they are worth the effort! Clinical studies indicate loading up on foods like miso, sauerkraut, and kimchi are like kryptonite for H. pylori bacteria.