Irritable stomach

Irritable stomach - what is it?

Irritable stomach or irritable stomach syndrome is the colloquial term for a condition that doctors refer to as "functional dyspepsia".
Irritable stomach syndrome is one of the functional digestive diseases, which also includes irritable bowel syndrome.
Dyspepsia is a generic term that covers a range of symptoms. These include, for example, pain in the upper abdomen, heartburn, nausea, an early feeling of fullness and belching.
If these symptoms occur over a period of more than three months and no other cause for the complaints is found, the doctor may diagnose irritable stomach syndrome.

Causes of irritable stomach syndrome

The exact cause of functional dyspepsia is unknown. However, a number of of factors are discussed that can lead to the development of an irritable stomach.

The most important theory at present is that increased sensitivity of the gastrointestinal tract (sensitivity) of the gastrointestinal tract leads to the symptoms. This theory, known as visceral hypersensitivity states that irritable stomach patients perceive processes in the gastrointestinal tract gastrointestinal tract differently than healthy people. A possible role role is played by stretch receptors in the stomach, which perceive normal processes, such as the natural movement of the stomach, as painful and unpleasant. In the same way allergens from food can also play a role. The reaction of the immune system to such allergens can lead to the stomach transmitting stimuli differently.

It is also being discussed whether reduced motility of the stomach can trigger an irritable stomach. can trigger an irritable stomach. In a large proportion of patients with an irritable stomach that the stomach's own movements after eating are significantly reduced compared to healthy are significantly reduced compared to healthy people.

As with other diseases, irritable stomach syndrome is likely to have various triggers, which in turn influence each other.

Irritable stomach: Diagnostics

In order to be able to make a diagnosis of irritable stomach syndrome, one or more of the following symptoms must be present:

Excessive feeling of fullness after eating
Early saturation
Pain in the upper abdomen
Burning behind the breastbone or in the upper abdomen

These criteria must have been met in the last three months and, in addition, the symptoms must have symptoms must have persisted for a total of six months.

Important: To confirm the diagnosis of "irritable stomach syndrome", other possible illnesses that could also trigger such symptoms must be ruled out. These include, for example, inflammation of the stomach lining, a Helicobacter infection of the stomach, stomach or duodenal ulcers, acid reflux disease duodenal ulcers, acid reflux disease, gastric emptying disorders or, in rare cases, stomach tumors.

At the Medizinicum, we offer a comprehensive range of diagnostic services, including laboratory examinations, gastroscopy (oesophagogastroduodenoscopy), Helicobacter test (usually included in gastroscopy) and measurements of gastric emptying function. gastric emptying function.

Treat irritable stomach

There is currently no specific, curative treatment for irritable stomach syndrome. The aim is therefore to alleviation of the symptoms. The underlying range of therapies includes Nutritional advice, drug therapies and hypnotherapy.

If the diagnostics reveal indications of specific functional disorders of the stomach such as such as delayed gastric emptying, we can also offer nutritional advice and nutritional advice and drug therapy recommendations.