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Functional disorders of the stomach
1M.S. Hershey Medical Center, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
Seminars in Gastrointestinal Disease
|October 1, 1996
Summary
Functional stomach disorders involve abnormal gastric motility, causing symptoms like indigestion and early fullness. Diagnosis requires excluding other conditions, with treatments including diet and medication.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Neurogastroenterology
- Digestive Physiology
Background:
- Disorders of stomach function are neuromuscular abnormalities affecting gastric motility.
- Symptoms include postprandial fullness, bloating, nausea, and early satiety, often mistaken for other conditions.
- Diagnosis requires excluding structural and metabolic diseases before considering neuromuscular causes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define disorders of stomach function and their common symptoms.
- To outline diagnostic approaches for identifying gastric motility abnormalities.
- To review current treatment options and emphasize the need for further research.
Main Methods:
- Exclusion of structural and metabolic diseases through history, lab studies, ultrasound, and endoscopy.
- Gastric emptying studies to detect gastroparesis.
- Electrogastrography to identify gastric dysrhythmias.
- Invasive tests like intraluminal pressure and gastric tone recordings.
Main Results:
- Dyspepsia symptoms like epigastric fullness and nausea are common.
- Gastric emptying studies and electrogastrography can detect neuromuscular dysfunction.
- Current treatments are limited, including dietary changes and gastroprokinetic agents.
Conclusions:
- Functional stomach disorders stem from neuromuscular issues impacting gastric motility.
- Accurate diagnosis relies on excluding other pathologies and utilizing specific motility tests.
- Improved understanding of pathophysiology is crucial for developing better treatments for these common digestive issues.