Functional Dyspepsia: Recent Advances in Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Therapeutics

Abstract

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by primary clinical manifestations such as postprandial fullness and early satiation. Its pathogenesis is complex. Contemporary medical research indicates that its primary mechanisms involve gastrointestinal motility dysfunction, visceral hypersensitivity, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, and brain-gut axis dysregulation. Current therapeutic strategies primarily focus on prokinetic agents, acid suppression, neuromodulation, and H. pylori eradication. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) posits that the core pathogenesis of FD lies in spleen-stomach disharmony. TCM treatment primarily encompasses pattern differentiation and treatment (bian zheng lun zhi) and characteristic TCM therapeutic modalities. Integrated Chinese and Western medicine therapy for FD demonstrates synergistic effects in clinical practice, achieving effective therapeutic outcomes. However, current research on FD within both medical paradigms still presents unresolved issues. Future studies necessitate elucidating the underlying mechanisms and optimizing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.