Functional Dyspepsia: Chronic Indigestion Without a Clear Cause

November 5, 2025

Functional Dyspepsia: Chronic Indigestion Without a Clear Cause

Verified By
KIMS-SUNSHINE
Specialist,
05 November, 2025

The digestive system is a complex arrangement of various organs that need to function together and in the right way- for food to get digested, absorbed and waste to get excreted. At times, there may be functional issues related to this intricate process, even when there is no structural issue as such. Functional dyspepsia is one such condition where all the organs seem to work fine, but you will still have some troublesome symptoms, which can affect your quality of life severely, if left untreated. Functional dyspepsia affects almost 30% of the Indian population, according to a recent study, though actual incidence may be lower or higher.

What is Functional Dyspepsia?

Functional dyspepsia is a chronic medical condition that can cause indigestion and related issues like bloating and it most often occurs after a meal. It is termed as ‘functional’ because there is no structural change in the gut, but physical symptoms are present. There is no cure for this condition, but it can be effectively managed, if you make changes to your diet and lifestyle.

Symptoms Of Chronic Indigestion

Dyspepsia is considered a syndrome of sorts, with repetitive symptoms that tend to come and go. Doctors have come to the conclusion that there are 2 kinds- epigastric pain syndrome which does not occur after a meal but the symptoms are similar to that of GERD and Postprandial distress syndrome- which means you tend to feel full even before you are done with your meal and deal with bloating or stomach pain, respectively. For some people however, a mix of symptoms can also occur. Some of the most common symptoms you may deal with are bloating, upper abdominal pain, heartburn, loss of appetite, belching a lot, having IBS issues, stress or even nausea and gagging.

Causes of Functional Dyspepsia

Some of the most well studied causes include- visceral hypersensitivity – where your gut responds poorly to stress. Some people also have motility disorders- where food does not move in the right way through the gut, takes too long to digest and causes other symptoms like bloating, gut dysbiosis where bad bacteria begin to outnumber the good ones. Lastly, chronic inflammation can also cause these unwanted symptoms. People with food sensitivities, stress or anxiety disorders are more at risk of developing functional dyspepsia, as there is a great deal of information exchange in the brain-gut axis.

Diagnosis Of Functional Dyspepsia (Endoscopy, Tests)

Some of the diagnostic tests done to check for this condition include

The use of blood tests to check for any infection.
Breath tests that check for higher levels of urea and hydrogen- which can indicate gut dysbiosis- or overgrowth of unwanted bacteria in the gut.
Gastric emptying studies are done to check how much time is taken for food to get digested and move along the digestive tract. This is done by asking you to consume some food with a radioactive isotope, after which imaging at regular intervals is done.
An upper endoscopy can also be recommended- and a biopsy may be taken too.

Treatment for Functional Dyspepsia

Treatment can include the use of specific drugs- like antibiotics to help get rid of an infection, prokinetics which encourage food to move along in the gut better, proton pump inhibitors to reduce heartburn and stomach acid production and antidepressants to help with anxiety. Acupuncture and elimination diets have also been seen to work in many cases.

Conclusion

Lifestyle changes for better digestion work the best in the long term. You can do so by identifying any food related triggers and avoiding them. You can also take medications as and when you have a flare up. Functional GI disorders are hard to diagnose right away, as the symptoms can mimic those of other more well known conditions. So, you need to be patient and wait for all results to come out, before talking to your doctor about what can be done. Everyone responds differently to different therapies, so you can try a mix of different approaches and understand which ones work or the best and continue to stick with them in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is functional dyspepsia?

Functional dyspepsia is a chronic upper digestive disorder causing discomfort, bloating, fullness, or pain without any structural disease. It’s often linked to abnormal gut movement, sensitivity, or stress, and is diagnosed after ruling out other causes.

What are the common symptoms of this condition?

Common symptoms include upper abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating, early fullness, nausea, and excessive burping, often after eating. Unlike other digestive disorders, no structural cause is found, making diagnosis based on persistent symptoms and exclusion of other gastrointestinal conditions.

What causes chronic indigestion when no disease is found?

When no disease is detected, chronic indigestion may be due to abnormal stomach motility, increased sensitivity of the stomach lining, or disrupted communication between the brain and gut. Psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, and poor sleep can also contribute. Certain medications, dietary habits, and infections may worsen symptoms, but no visible damage or inflammation is seen in the digestive tract.

What foods should be avoided with functional dyspepsia?

People with functional dyspepsia should avoid fatty, fried and spicy foods, as these can delay stomach emptying and increase discomfort. Caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, citrus and fizzy drinks may also aggravate symptoms. Eating smaller, more frequent meals and avoiding lying down soon after eating can help. Keeping a food diary can identify specific triggers, allowing dietary adjustments tailored to individual tolerance and symptom patterns.

Can functional dyspepsia become a long-term condition?

Yes, functional dyspepsia can be a long-term or recurring condition. Symptoms may persist for months or years, often fluctuating in severity. Long-term management involves lifestyle modifications, stress reduction, and medications to control symptoms.