Dyspepsia, commonly referred to as indigestion or gastritis in Thailand, is a common group of upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Patients often experience discomfort, fullness, or pain in the upper abdomen (epigastric area), especially after meals.
Common Symptoms of Dyspepsia
• Pain or burning sensation in the upper abdomen (epigastric pain)
• Abdominal fullness, bloating, or excessive gas
• Feeling full quickly after eating only a small amount of food (early satiety)
• Nausea or frequent burping, sometimes accompanied by acid reflux or sour belching
Main Causes of Dyspepsia
Dyspepsia can generally be divided into two categories:
- Organic Dyspepsia
This type is caused by identifiable medical conditions or structural abnormalities, such as:
• Peptic ulcers (stomach or duodenal ulcers)
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining)
• Side effects from certain medications - Functional Dyspepsia
This condition refers to chronic indigestion symptoms without any visible abnormalities found during investigations such as upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. It may be related to abnormal stomach motility, impaired coordination of stomach contractions, or increased sensitivity to stomach acid.
Warning Signs (Alarm Features) Requiring Medical Attention
If indigestion symptoms occur together with any of the following signs, medical evaluation should be sought promptly for further investigation, such as endoscopy:
• Unexplained weight loss
• Difficulty or pain while swallowing
• Vomiting blood or passing black stools
• Anemia
• A palpable mass in the upper abdomen
• Frequent or persistent vomiting
