Acid Reflux:Why Does Acid Reflux Happen

Discusses the management or treatment of functional dyspepsia or indigestion and is for patients and the public. It is the second in the series of two videos.

This video will attempt to answer the following QUESTIONS;
• What is functional dyspepsia ?
• What are the common symptoms of functional dyspepsia ?
• What are the two types of functional dyspepsia ?
• What are some of the mechanisms that cause functional dyspepsia ?
• What are some common medical conditions that cause indigestion and should be differentiated from functional dyspepsia ?
• When should someone with indigestion see a doctor ?

WORD INDEX:
• Dyspepsia is the medical term for indigestion.
• Functional dyspepsia is indigestion for which no cause can be seen with the naked eye or under the microscope.
• Post prandial fullness is an unpleasant feeling after eating a normal quantity of food, and is described as if food is still in the stomach.
• Early satiety is the inability to finish a full meal or feeling full even after a small meal.
• Epigastric means the area of the stomach.
• Helicobacter pylori is a germ that commonly causes a chronic infection of the stomach.
• Gut brain axis is a bi-directional communication system between the stomach, intestines and the brain.
• Acid reflux is the back flow of acid from the stomach to the intestines.
• Eating disorders are characterised by irregular eating habits and severe distress due to concerns about body weight or shape.

SUMMARY;
The common symptoms of functional dyspepsia ( FD ) are post prandial fullness, early satiety, and pain or burning sensation over the stomach area. FD is differentiated from other more serious medical conditions by investigations like blood tests, gastroscopy and abdomen ultrasound. These investigations are normal in FD.

The videos are easy to understand and tries to use everyday language as far as possible. The videos are full of images and follow a standard format of topic objective, word index, content and summary. Each topic covers diagnosis, investigation, management and prevention. Videos are an average of between 5 to 10 minutes. I created the videos, using my over 30 years of experience in managing patients with gut and liver problems . I am a gastroenterologist and hepatologist and was trained in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, and Tokyo and have worked in academia and the private sector.

As the adage goes “A picture is worth a thousand words”. I believe combining images and explanations using blackboards, helps one better understand a medical condition. With knowledge, a person gets a better sense of control, and hence is empowered to make informed decisions.