Dyspepsia
Dyspepsia refers to a constellation of epigastric pain or discomfort, upper abdominal fullness, bloating, early satiety, and nausea. It is a common condition with a multifactorial etiology involving various pathophysiological mechanisms.
Gastric Pathophysiology:
- Gastric acid secretion: Increased gastric acid production can irritate the gastric mucosa, causing pain and discomfort.
- Impaired gastric emptying: Delayed gastric emptying prolongs the exposure of food and gastric contents to the stomach, leading to increased pressure and distension.
- Gastric motility disorders: Abnormal gastric motility, such as delayed antral contractions or increased fundal relaxation, can disrupt the normal gastric emptying process.
- Gastric mucosal integrity: Damage to the gastric mucosa, such as in gastritis or peptic ulcer disease, can increase mucosal sensitivity to gastric acid and other irritants.
Esophageal Pathophysiology:
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): In GERD, gastric contents reflux into the esophagus, causing irritation and inflammation of the esophageal mucosa. This can lead to symptoms such as heartburn and regurgitation, which can contribute to dyspepsia.
- Esophageal motility disorders: Impaired esophageal motility, such as ineffective esophageal peristalsis or achalasia, can lead to food retention and stasis in the esophagus, causing pain and discomfort.
Other Factors:
- Psychological factors: Stress, anxiety, and depression can affect gastric function and perception of symptoms.
- Dietary factors: Certain foods, such as caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods, can exacerbate dyspeptic symptoms.
- Medications: Some medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and antibiotics, can cause dyspepsia as a side effect.
- Infections: Helicobacter pylori infection can lead to gastritis and peptic ulcer disease, contributing to dyspeptic symptoms.
Pathophysiology of Specific Dyspepsia Types:
- Functional dyspepsia: The exact pathophysiology of functional dyspepsia is not fully understood, but it is thought to involve a combination of factors such as altered gastric motility, visceral hypersensitivity, and psychological distress.
- Organic dyspepsia: This type of dyspepsia is caused by an underlying organic pathology, such as peptic ulcer disease, GERD, or esophageal motility disorders. The specific pathophysiological mechanisms vary depending on the underlying condition.