Functional Dyspepsia

Also called: Nonulcer Dyspepsia

What Is Functional Dyspepsia?

Functional dyspepsia (dis-PEP-see-uh) is a kind of upset stomach or indigestion that doesn’t have a definite cause. It’s thought to happen because of a mix of things. Functional dyspepsia is a type of “gut–brain” disorder. These disorders affect how the digestive system and brain “talk” to each other.

There are two kinds of functional dyspepsia. With one type, kids mostly have upper belly pain. With the other kind, they tend to have symptoms after eating, like feeling very full or sick to the stomach.

What Causes Functional Dyspepsia?

There’s still a lot to understand about functional dyspepsia, but it could be due to things like:

• nerve signals from the brain or belly that make someone more sensitive to pain
• food moving too slowly from the stomach to the rest of the digestive system
• food sensitivity (digestive symptoms after having certain foods or drinks, like belly pain after drinking milk)
• a past infection
• emotional stress
• a family history of functional dyspepsia

The condition happens more often in kids and teens who smoke or are female.

Mental health problems like anxiety don’t cause functional dyspepsia, but they can make symptoms worse.

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Functional Dyspepsia?

Kids with functional dyspepsia tend to have one or more of these symptoms:

• pain or burning in the belly
• belly pain that stops during eating or doesn’t have to do with food
• nausea (feeling sick to the stomach) after eating
• lots of burping
• bloating or feeling full while eating or soon after
• heartburn, which can cause a sour or bitter taste in the mouth and an uncomfortable feeling in the chest

How Is Functional Dyspepsia Diagnosed?

To diagnose functional dyspepsia, doctors will ask about symptoms and do an exam To see if another condition could be causing the symptoms, they might:

• order blood tests or stool tests
• do imaging tests to show the digestive system and how food moves in it
• do a test called an endoscopy to show the lining of the digestive tract

In some cases, a child may be asked about stressors like recent changes at home, problems at school, or mood shifts.

How Is Functional Dyspepsia Treated?

To treat functional dyspepsia, the doctor may suggest:

Diet changes. Your child should avoid spicy or fatty foods and drinks that have caffeine or carbonation (fizz), like soda. Eating too much food or having an empty stomach could make functional dyspepsia act up, so having smaller meals often may help. Kids should also try to eat slowly and chew food well.

Medicines. If your child has gas or a lot of acid in their stomach, the doctor may recommend medicines that can help. Some kinds of antidepressants may ease digestive pain. Other medicines can help ease nausea or move food through the stomach faster.

Ways to ease stress. If stress could be causing your child's symptoms, the doctor or a mental health provider may suggest ways to help the nervous system calm down. These may include relaxation skills (like slow, deep breathing) or exercise. Getting enough sleep also might help.

When Should I Call the Doctor?

Call the doctor right away if your child has an upset stomach and:

• poop that’s dark or looks like tar
• vomit with blood in it
• trouble breathing
• arm, neck, or jaw pain

Also let the doctor know if your child loses weight and you don’t know why.

How Can Parents Help?

Sometimes it can be tough for kids with functional dyspepsia to deal with the condition. To help them cope, encourage your child to keep doing normal activities, like going to school, playing sports, and spending time with family and friends. Consider having your child talk with a therapist for support and to learn ways to relax and deal with their symptoms.