This Publication Is Searchable The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy Section 3. Gastrointestinal Disorders Chapter 21. Discomfort often described as indigestion, gaseousness, fullness, or gnawing or burning pain localized to the upper abdomen or chest that has no specific cause on diagnostic evaluation.
Dyspepsia is common.
Symptoms may be related to any of several disease processes, thus correlation of symptoms with pathophysiologic states is difficult. An association between symptoms and pathophysiologic abnormalities does not necessarily mean causation. Radiologic or pathologic duodenitis, pyloric dysfunction with alkaline reflux, motility disturbances, Helicobacter pylori gastritis, and cholelithiasis are conditions that may exist but may not explain clinical symptoms. Symptoms and Signs Early satiety, abdominal distention, and fullness are often described in addition to epigastric or substernal burning discomfort or pain. Eating may worsen or relieve symptoms.