ABSTRACT
Dyspepsia is a common problem that includes a range of upper gastrointestinal symptoms of which upper abdominal pain is the commonest. In adults and children with communication difficulties the only symptoms may be food refusal, weight loss or failure to thrive. Dyspepsia can be caused by acid-induced damage, abnormal motility or esophageal reflux. Adults and children with severe neurological impairment are particularly prone to dyspepsia. Acid-related dyspepsia is due to acid-related damage of the stomach or duodenum, for example, gastric ulcer. Dysmotility dyspepsia is due to abnormal motility of the esophagus or of the stomach and duodenum. Gastric stasis and cancer-associated dyspepsia syndrome are part of this type of dyspepsia. As with dysmotility dyspepsia, prokinetics are an important treatment and altering the size and frequency of meals and feeds can also help. Prokinetic agents and proton pump inhibitors are important treatments in dyspepsia.
