Stress swelling dyspepsia victims

Studies indicate that stress affects dyspepsia. / Korea Times file

By Yoon Ja-young

An increasing number of people are complaining of indigestion here. Stress seems to be the number one cause, according to doctors, who advise that patients should try to change their lifestyle and diet first.

According to data from the National Health Insurance Service, the number of patients diagnosed with dyspepsia stood at around 640,000 in 2011, growing by an annual 5.5 percent on average since 2006 when the figure stood at 489,000. The insurance service spent 34.6 billion won on treatment of the disease in 2011, 1.8 times more than 19.7 billion won five years ago.

“The term indigestion is widely used, but it has diverse meanings for doctors. It includes all those involving particular symptoms in the upper abdomen, regardless of the cause,” said Won Sun-young, a gastroenterologist at the National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital.

The doctor explained that there are generally two types of dyspepsia: organic dyspepsia which includes diseases such as ulcers that cause such symptoms, and functional dyspepsia where no such diseases are found despite endoscope examinations and the use of other current high technology medical equipment. When doctors diagnose dyspepsia, they usually mean functional dyspepsia. This is accompanied by continuous or repetitive pain or uncomfortable feelings in the upper abdomen.

“Functional dyspepsia is the most common gastroenterological disease at hospitals and clinics...When including the patients who take gastric antacid or digestive medicine on their own without visiting clinics, the number of patients is estimated to be far bigger,” Won said.

“There is no precise reason to explain the recent surge in dyspepsia patients, but as some studies indicate that stress affects functional dyspepsia, increasing levels of stress in daily life may be a factor,” the doctor said. According to the Korea University Medical Center, various hormones and nerves are involved in digestion. The process is also linked to brain functions such as emotions and the senses. Hence, if there are problems in any of these areas, people experience discomfort during digestion. Adequate rest, appropriate exercise and recreational activities may help relieve the stress, according to the hospital.

Most dyspepsia patients complain that their symptoms worsen when they eat greasy or spicy food. “As fatty food hampers gastric emptying, those suffering indigestion had better avoid such food,” Won said. She added that limiting caffeinated drinks, alcohol, or spicy and salty food can help treatment. Fiber, meanwhile, slows down emptying of the stomach, and is thus not recommended for people with poor digestion.

“Correcting diet can also help. Irregular diet causes atrophy of the gastric mucous membrane or damages it with gastric acid. Overeating that follows an irregular diet may also worsen the symptoms,” she said.

Eating at night also worsens indigestion, because the emptying function of the stomach slows down at night. Extreme exercise after meals isn’t recommended either. Won added that one should eat slowly, in a happy mood. Eating fast can cause belching and a sense of distension.

When one feels uncomfortable in the upper abdomen, he or she should consult a doctor first to find out if they have any particular disease causing the symptoms. They may go through diverse exams such as an endoscopy or sonogram. Korea University Medical Center stresses that senior citizens or those who suffer from indigestion accompanied by sudden weight loss, continuous vomiting, or indications of bleeding that includes vomiting blood, anemia or black feces should immediately consult a doctor.

Psychological treatment may also help some patients with serious functional dyspepsia that doesn’t respond to drug treatment.