The term "functional dyspepsia" generally refers to symptoms with no structural abnormality found. This is similar to conditions such as migraine headache, irritable bowel syndrome and menstrual cramps where scans and blood tests are not able to clinch the diagnosis.
Contrary to common belief, functional dyspepsia can be effectively treated. If no other conditions are found relating to the symptoms, functional dyspepsia is deemed as a benign condition with no known risk of degenerating into something more sinister.
Having said that, it will be prudent to watch the discomfort over time with treatment to monitor the response. This is because other more sinister conditions such as growth in the gallbladder, bile duct or pancreas may present very similarly at the beginning and at times impossible to tell a part from functional dyspepsia based on symptoms and scope findings.
- Dr Quan
