Non-ulcer dyspepsia and the dilemma posed to its management

Dyspepsia is one of the most common ailment that is managed by general practitioners and gastroenterologists worldwide and particularly so in Tropical Africa. Non-ulcer dyspepsia can be defined as the presence of classic ulcer symptoms or any combination of burning, bloating, indigestion or other abdominal symptoms which only sometimes have a relation to food intake with out any radiological or endoscopic evidence of peptic ulceration. Compared to peptic ulcer disease, the literature on Non-ulcer dyspepsia is relatively scanty and studies have been done mostly in populations non-negroid origin. The present study has reviewed Non-ulcer dyspepsia with particular reference to the Africans and has highlighted the intriguing areas of the disorder with the consequent dilemma posed to its management. Further research on this topic is indicated and would be fascinating but a challenging task.