Non-Ulcer Dyspepsia: GI Complication of a Different Kind

If you suffer from complications associated with gastric reflux, you understand the pain and discomfort associated with the health complication. For many patients with this degree of pain and discomfort, the complication is not associated with any specific health complication and is considered to be idiopathic.

Known as dyspepsia, the complication is described as burning pain that is not easily resolved with antacids and may or may not be associated with nausea and bloating. Upon examination of the gastrointestinal tract, no evidence of ulcer is present.

In non-ulcer dyspepsia, most patients have experienced gastric reflux at some point in the past medical history, with many reporting frequent complications with heartburn. In addition there may be complications involving the gallbladder and liver. As a result, your healthcare professional will want to, first, run appropriate blood work and blood testing.

If you suffer from non-ulcer dyspepsia, it is important to also be prepared for the complication to also present with secondary psychological implications including anxiety and depression. Because the type and amount of food intake is limited with non-ulcer dyspepsia, many sufferers view the health complication as a restriction upon their quality of life. This secondary psychological effect may, in turn, lead to abnormal gastric fluid production which only further exacerbates the dyspepsia symptoms.

To treat non-ulcer dyspepsia, antacids are traditionally not effective. Instead, your physician may recommend the use of bismuth salts. Unfortunately, bismuth salts can not be used long term due to potential neurological complications.

Reglan is a prescription medication commonly used in the treatment of non-ulcer dyspepsia and has been shown to be quite effective. In addition to Reglan, your physician may want to prescribe anti-depressants and a viable option to controlling the secondary psychological complications which may only serve to further exacerbate the non-ulcer dyspepsia complication.