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7.5.4

Dyspepsia

Malawi Standard Treatment Guidelines, 6th Edition, 2023. Chapter 7, Gastrointestinal Conditions.

Clinical Description

Meal related non-specific abdominal discomfort and pain.

Signs and Symptoms

  • Heart burn or epigastric burning pain

Investigations

  • only refer for gastroscopy if not improving on anti-acid treatment

Non-pharmacological

  • Advise patient to avoid hot spices, alcohol, smoking, tobacco, carbonated drinks, NSAIDs and Aspirin
  • Eating foods rich in proteins to promote healing
  • encourage patient to take regular meal
  • Do not eat something heavy after staying long time without eating something

Pharmacological

  • Chew 2 magnesium trisilicate tablets 6 hourly or more frequently as required for 7 days.

Alternatively:

Omeprazole 20mg at night for 4 weeks or Ranitidine 300mg at night or 150mg 12 hourly for 4 weeks or Cimetidine 400mg 12 hourly or 800mg at night for 4 weeks

Check doses against the printed guideline and your clinical judgement before treating a patient. Spotted an error? Report it from the contact links below.

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