
Functional Dyspepsia
Natural treatment for functional dyspepsia.
Looking for safe, effective natural remedies for indigestion and functional dyspepsia? This page covers:
At BionwoRx, we partner with you to uncover the underlying causes of your indigestion and functional dyspepsia. Together, we’ll develop a natural, effective treatment plan that addresses the real issue.
Understanding your condition
What is functional dyspepsia?
Functional dyspepsia is a common digestive health disorder characterized by recurring indigestion symptoms with no clear underlying cause. Sufferers often experience a sense of fullness even after small meals. They may also experience a burning or gnawing sensation in the upper abdomen that can occur at any time, not just during or after eating. This condition can disrupt all aspects of daily life and affects an estimated 10-25% of people in the United States. Functional dyspepsia is also known as nonulcer dyspepsia or nonulcer stomach pain. It is the most prevalent form of upper abdominal discomfort.
Functional Dyspepsia
Taking a closer look at functional dyspepsia.
Functional dyspepsia is a condition that is often misdiagnosed. Experts suspect it is caused by intestinal inflammation, sometimes developing after a bout of gastroenteritis. Potential underlying triggers include H. pylori infection, issues with the movement of food through the stomach and duodenum, an inability of the stomach muscles to relax when eating, and/or disruptions to the gut flora in the upper digestive tract.
Distinguishing functional dyspepsia from similar conditions like GERD, IBS, and other digestive issues can be tricky, as there’s significant overlap. However, our functional medicine specialist has the expertise and time to thoroughly investigate your symptoms and get to the root of the problem. That way, you can get on the path to feeling better.

Functional dyspepsia symptoms.
Chest or upper abdominal discomfort and pain can have many possible causes. First, rule out issues with the heart and respiratory system. If the pain is severe or you’re unsure, seek medical help right away.
The symptoms of functional dyspepsia can come and go, last for a long time, and may include:
- Burning or pain in the upper belly/stomach area, below the breastbone, that may not be related to meals and can sometimes be relieved by eating
- Feeling full after eating only a small amount of food
- Lack of appetite
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Burping
The two common forms of functional dyspepsia are determined by symptoms alone, without any other identifiable condition as the cause.
Postprandial distress syndrome.
After eating just a small meal, some people experience postprandial distress syndrome. This can leave them feeling uncomfortably full and unable to eat more, which can lead to nutritional deficiencies and unintended weight loss.
Epigastric pain syndrome.
If you’ve been experiencing a burning sensation in the upper middle part of your abdomen about once a week over the past 3 months, you may be dealing with epigastric pain syndrome. Interestingly, the discomfort doesn’t necessarily happen after eating. However, it may get better when you do eat.
What causes functional dyspepsia?
While there is no single known cause, many risk factors can contribute to the development of functional dyspepsia:
- Being female
- Stress, anxiety, psychological distress, or a history of trauma that disrupts the gut-brain axis, affecting things like digestion, stomach emptying, and gut flora
- Slow stomach emptying
- Acute gastrointestinal infections (bacterial, viral, or protozoan, including H. pylori)
- Inflammation in the upper digestive system
- Imbalance in the small intestine microbiome
- Impaired stomach muscle relaxation
- Inflammation of the duodenum
- Smoking
- Imbalance in oral microflora
- Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Presence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms
- Changes to the gut’s mucosal lining
- Increased sensitivity to sensations in the gut (visceral hypersensitivity)
Functional dyspepsia treatment – the conventional approach.
Establishing a diagnosis for functional dyspepsia can take several visits with your doctor. The symptoms often overlap with other conditions, so it may take some time to pinpoint the cause. Your primary care provider will review your symptoms and do a physical exam to help determine the issue. They may also order various blood tests, H. pylori testing, and X-rays to get to the bottom of it.
Initially, your doctor may rule out heart or respiratory conditions. However, if your symptoms persist, they may recommend an endoscopy. This is a procedure where a small, flexible camera is passed down your esophagus into your stomach and upper small intestines.
An endoscopy can help identify any damage or issues in these areas, such as:
- Gastric or peptic ulcers
- Esophagitis
- GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
Your doctor may suggest an endoscopy if you are experiencing:
- Signs of anemia or digestive bleeding
- Vomiting
- Worsening symptoms
- Previous gastric surgery
- Unexplained weight loss
- Difficulty swallowing
- You are over 55 years old
- You have a family history of stomach cancers
The endoscopy allows your doctor to get a closer look and determine the cause of your digestive issues.
Medications.
Once functional dyspepsia has been identified, your doctor may prescribe one or more medications to help manage your symptoms. Some common options include:
- Proton pump inhibitors, which reduce the amount of acid produced by your stomach. However, they are generally only recommended for short-term use, up to 14 days per cycle and no more than 3 months total, as they can contribute to poor nutrient absorption over time.
- H2 receptor antagonists, which also inhibit gastric acid production. Similar to PPIs, these can impact digestion and nutrient absorption.
- Prokinetic drugs that stimulate the stomach to empty more quickly.
- Over-the-counter antacids, which neutralize stomach acid but can further disrupt normal digestion.
- Fundic relaxors to help relax the stomach muscles.
- Low-dose tricyclic antidepressants.
- Antibiotics, which can disrupt the healthy gut flora.
While these medications may provide symptom relief, it’s important to be aware that they can have side effects. They can potentially contribute to long-term issues like nutrient depletion and disrupted gut health if used for an extended period.
Other treatment strategies.
Other treatment strategies for functional dyspepsia include:
- Referral to a counselor or therapist for behavioral therapy to help manage symptoms that medication can’t fully relieve.
- Dietary recommendations like eating smaller, low-fat meals and avoiding wheat, carbonated drinks, fatty, fried, and spicy foods.
It’s important to note that current conventional treatments for functional dyspepsia are often “largely unsatisfactory,” according to a 2016 study. That’s why many people with this condition are seeking out long-term, natural solutions to their ongoing digestive discomfort.
The BionwoRx functional medicine approach.
Natural treatment for functional dyspepsia.
Functional dyspepsia can be effectively treated with natural, safe, and long-lasting solutions. Our functional medicine expert takes a unique, holistic approach to all digestive conditions. We start by thoroughly investigating the root cause of your symptoms, looking closely at:
- Your signs and symptoms
- Family history and genetic susceptibility
- Digestive function history
- Detailed personal medical history
- Any travel, illnesses, or symptom history
- Medications and supplements
- Diet and lifestyle
- Environmental exposures
This evidence-based, personalized process allows us to identify and address the underlying drivers of your digestive issues, providing you with friendly, effective care.
Functional testing.
Functional testing in state-of-the-art pathology labs can help identify a range of gastrointestinal issues, such as H. pylori infections, pathogens, and parasites.
Your healthcare provider may recommend additional functional testing to identify:
- Food allergies or intolerances
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Gut imbalances like dysbiosis, IBS, or SIBO
- Other suspected conditions
Natural treatments.
Natural treatments for indigestion can vary depending on the underlying causes, but may include:
- Stimulating vagus nerve tone, which has been recognized as an effective treatment for functional dyspepsia.
- Measuring heart rate variability can indicate the effectiveness of this approach, as the vagus nerve serves both the digestive and cardiac systems.
- Lifestyle medicine techniques like stress resilience practices (meditation and mindfulness).
- Strategies to improve sleep, quit smoking and alcohol, and decrease weight.
- Dietary recommendations to eliminate food intolerances, avoid trigger foods, and improve nutrient status.
- Supplements to promote healthy digestion, such as betaine hydrochloride, digestive enzymes, slippery elm powder, and fiber supplements.
- Supplements for mucosal repair, including zinc, vitamins C and A, magnesium, and glutamine.
- Herbal medicines for mucosal repair and anti-inflammatory effects, like meadowsweet, calendula, licorice, turmeric, marshmallow, and aloe.
- Herbal antacids such as meadowsweet, slippery elm powder, and alfalfa.
- Digestive stimulants used with caution, like gentian and ginger, to improve gastric emptying.
- Anti-pathogenic herbs such as pomegranate husk, garlic, turmeric, and berberine.
- Other herbs as needed for anxiety, mood, detoxification, bile production, and repair of gastric muscles and mucosal linings.
- Precision probiotics to facilitate a diverse and healthy microbiome.
- Fiber supplementation (prebiotics) to maintain a healthy microbiome and enhance digestive emptying.
At BionwoRx, our functional medicine dyspepsia specialist is an expert in treating a wide range of digestive disorders. We offer effective, all-natural, and safe treatment strategies to help you find the relief you need. Our personalized, functional medicine approach considers your whole health, addressing any other conditions or symptoms you may be experiencing alongside your indigestion.
FAQs.
What causes indigestion?
Indigestion can stem from all sorts of issues. This includes everything from digestive disorders and medication side effects to stress, food intolerances, disrupted gut bacteria, slow digestion, infections, and parasites. If the cause remains unclear despite ongoing symptoms, it may be considered functional dyspepsia.
How do I get rid of indigestion?
The treatment for indigestion can vary depending on the underlying cause. Indigestion can stem from a range of digestive issues, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), functional dyspepsia, IBS, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), food intolerances, parasitic infections, and microbiome imbalances.
For short-term relief, natural remedies like ginger tea, chamomile tea, lemon balm tea, or slippery elm powder may help, depending on the specific cause of your discomfort. However, addressing the root issue is key to resolving indigestion in the long run.
To determine the appropriate treatment, it’s best to consult our functional medicine specialist. She can investigate the underlying cause in detail and develop a personalized plan to treat the problem, not just the symptoms. This comprehensive approach is often more effective for achieving lasting relief from functional dyspepsia and other digestive health issues like chronic indigestion.
What is the best way to sleep with indigestion?
Eating smaller meals at least 3 hours before bedtime may help reduce indigestion. Depending on the cause, you can find short-term relief with these natural remedies:
- Ginger, chamomile, or lemon balm tea
- Licorice tea
- Peppermint tea
- 3 tsp of slippery elm powder mixed in water and drunk quickly. This can soothe the digestive system and support gut health. Be sure to stay hydrated if taking any fiber supplements.
Elevating your head, either by placing a block under the bed frame or raising the mattress, may also provide relief.
For long-term management, consider working with a functional medicine practitioner who can identify the root cause of your indigestion and develop a clear treatment strategy.
Can exercise help with indigestion?
Exercise is great for your digestive health. It can stimulate the natural movement of food through your intestines (a process called peristalsis), which helps with waste removal and improves the frequency of your bowel movements. This can be especially helpful if your digestive system is sluggish or you’re dealing with ongoing constipation – a common cause of indigestion.
Constipation and slow digestion can affect the makeup of your gut flora, which is very sensitive to changes in pH. This can then lead to issues like acid reflux, indigestion, IBS, SIBO, and more if left unaddressed.
Other measures that can support healthy digestion include:
- Drinking at least 2 liters of clean water daily
- Practicing stress-relieving activities like meditation, yoga, or Tai Chi
- Eating whole, unprocessed fruits and vegetables every day
By incorporating exercise and these other lifestyle changes, you can help keep your digestive system running smoothly and prevent or alleviate common issues like indigestion.