Functional Dyspepsia, What Are the Symptoms and Causes of Functional Dyspepsia?

After eating, if you feel tightness in the upper stomach and feel full even after eating a little, it can be more frustrating when told that there are no significant abnormalities in tests. Functional dyspepsia refers to a state where indigestion persists for a long time, even if no clear abnormalities appear in an endoscopy or CT scan. The key is to check whether the stomach's movement in accepting and passing down food has weakened and how long this condition has persisted.

At the Korean medicine clinic, they do not simply view it as "indigestion," but also consider the stomach's motor function, energy reduction, autonomic nervous system changes due to stress, and the Damjeok state as described in Korean medicine. Depending on the symptoms and test results, herbal medicine, acupuncture · moxibustion, and heat therapy may be combined to assist in the recovery of gastrointestinal function.

Why does digestion not occur normally even though the endoscopy is normal?

Functional dyspepsia occurs when there are no visible abnormalities in the stomach like wounds or tumors, yet symptoms such as bloating, tightness in the upper stomach, and indigestion recur. It is easy to think of it as merely "nervous," but in actual medical care, it is important to confirm whether the stomach's ability to move food downward is impaired. If the stomach's movement is weak, food may feel like it lingers longer, and belching, gas, or bloating may become frequent. If this condition repeats, meal intake may decrease, and energy levels may drop, slowing recovery.

Causes of Functional Dyspepsia Involve Both Congenital Factors and Lifestyle Habits

It is difficult to explain the cause of functional dyspepsia with just one factor. There may be congenital factors such as a constitutionally weak digestive function, and acquired factors like irregular meals, excessive stress, lack of exercise, and Western dietary habits. Habits of inappropriate use of alcohol or medication, or the burden on the stomach due to decreased function of other organs, are also possible. Therefore, during consultation, not only symptoms but also meal times, sleep, stress, and usual physical strength are comprehensively examined.

In Korean Medicine, Damjeok and Qi-Blood Status Are Considered Together

In Korean medicine, the condition where undigested waste accumulates in the stomach and intestines, further degrading digestive function, is explained as Damjeok (Phlegm Accumulation). If Damjeok persists, the upper stomach may feel tight as if filled with gas, and there may be a sensation of stiffness or pain when pressing the abdomen. It is also viewed that factors such as Qi-blood deficiency, stagnant phlegm in the stomach, lack of gastric fluids, and blood stasis are involved. In simple terms, it considers the aspects of energy deficiency, food stagnation, lack of digestive juices, and reduced blood circulation.

What Do We Check During Repeated Functional Dyspepsia Symptoms?

During consultation, symptoms related to the digestive system such as upper stomach pain, nausea, frequent belching, bloating, bloated feeling, bad breath, constipation or diarrhea, and a sense of incomplete evacuation are first checked. General symptoms like headaches, dizziness, neck stiffness, fatigue, decreased concentration, and sleep issues are also considered. At Hoechundang Kyunghee Ryu Korean Medicine Clinic main office, Functional Dyspepsia · Damjeok (Phlegm Accumulation) consultations utilize electrogastrography, Ryodoraku Meridian Function Test, and Hand Yangming Meridian Test to assess stomach movement, energy, and autonomic nervous system status.

Electrogastrography (EGG) is a test that checks the stomach's electrical signals by attaching electrodes to the abdomen. It assesses the ability to pass down food by comparing pre-meal and post-meal stomach movements, and unlike an endoscopy, it is relatively less painful and uncomfortable. The Ryodoraku Meridian Function Test examines the functional activity of the organs and meridians at major acupoints on the hands and feet to reference if there is a deficiency in energy or a blocked and overflowing pattern. The Hand Yangming Meridian Test (HRV) is used to assess autonomic nervous balance and stress response when headaches, anxiety, and sleep disorders are present together.

Stomach Movement Level Seen in Electrogastrography Results	Meaning
About 70% of normal	Considered Mild Gastrointestinal Disorder
About 40% of normal	Considered Moderate Gastrointestinal Disorder
About 20% of normal	Considered Severe Gastrointestinal Disorder

Digestive Management Methods You Can Do at Home

Functional dyspepsia is greatly influenced by life rhythm. As symptoms repeat, it becomes easy to skip meals or eat all at once, but such habits can make the stomach's movements more irregular. At home, it is helpful to keep meal amounts, eating speed, sleep, and activity levels consistent to reduce stomach burden.

• Try to eat meals at set times, and consume moderate portions slowly rather than overeating.
• Avoid lying down immediately after eating and allow for light walking or daily activities to give the stomach time to move.
• Reduce habits that can easily worsen symptoms, such as greasy foods, excessive drinking, and late-night snacks.
• If stress causes more tightness in the upper stomach, take time to relax by breathing slowly.
• Maintain a consistent bedtime and wake-up time as lack of sleep can decrease recovery power.

This Is How Korean Medicine Clinic Consultations Are Conducted

In Korean medicine clinic consultations, rather than using the same prescription based solely on the symptom name, they consider the individual's constitution, symptom severity, duration of the condition, and lifestyle habits to plan accordingly. One-on-One Personalized Herbal Medicine is determined after consultation, whether to relieve discomfort or to complement the weakened gastrointestinal function and energy. Bowigongjindan can be prescribed considering cases where chronic gastrointestinal disorders lead to reduced digestion and absorption and weakened energy. Extract powder medicines like Chiweesan may be used for maintenance after decoction treatment once the condition stabilizes.

Acupuncture · Moxibustion · Radiofrequency Thermotherapy assist in recovering gastrointestinal function and are utilized as supplementary treatments to balance Qi-blood and the autonomic nervous system. Bowi·Bojang acupuncture selects acupoints on the abdomen, back, and limbs according to the symptoms and diagnosis. Wangdteum warms the abdomen to aid digestion, and radiofrequency thermotherapy can help by increasing the temperature deep within the abdomen to aid rigid stomach movements. The treatment progress and necessary period may vary depending on the individual's condition.

In These Cases, Seek Internal Medicine or Emergency Room First

Symptoms that appear to be indigestion but may signal other diseases need to be checked first. Especially if severe abdominal pain suddenly develops, or chest pain and cold sweat, shortness of breath accompany it, or if you vomit blood or see black stools, emergency evaluation is necessary. If you experience unexplained weight loss and significantly decreased appetite, or if difficulty swallowing or the sensation of food being stuck worsens progressively, it's recommended to see internal medicine first. If high fever, repeated vomiting, dehydration symptoms occur, or pain worsens rapidly, do not hesitate to use the emergency room or call 119.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is treatment necessary even if there are no abnormalities in the endoscopy?

Even if no significant abnormalities are found in tests, if indigestion persists, it may fall under functional dyspepsia. In this case, it is important to check whether the gastric motility is impaired rather than focusing on mucosal injuries, so it is advisable to consult by considering the duration of symptoms and electrogastrography results.

Is Damjeok (Phlegm Accumulation) a different disease from functional dyspepsia?

Damjeok (Phlegm Accumulation) is a concept in Korean medicine where undigested waste accumulates in the stomach and intestines, reducing digestive function. It is often considered as a factor that exacerbates functional dyspepsia, and in consultations, both gastric motility and Damjeok aspects are checked together.

Is electrogastrography very uncomfortable?

Electrogastrography measures electrical signals of the stomach by attaching electrodes to the abdomen. It is not a test that involves inserting a scope like an endoscopy; it references the stomach's ability to pass down food by comparing pre-meal and post-meal movements.

How often will I receive acupuncture treatment?

The treatment plan varies depending on the severity of symptoms, test results, and lifestyle conditions. Generally, many people combine acupuncture treatment 2-3 times a week while taking herbal medicine, but the actual frequency and duration are adjusted after consultation.

If symptoms of poor digestion repeat, it is advisable to calmly verify whether it is simple indigestion, a condition of impaired gastric motility, or if Damjeok or energy deficiency is also present. Hoechundang Kyunghee Ryu Korean Medicine Clinic provides information necessary for understanding gastrointestinal disorders through its health column, and in actual consultations, plans are devised based on tests and consultations. If symptoms have persisted for a long time or affect daily life, refer to the Functional Dyspepsia · Damjeok (Phlegm Accumulation) consultation content to accurately consult about the current state.