dyspepsia

American  

[dis-pep-shuh, -see-uh] / dɪsˈpɛp ʃə, -si ə /

Also dyspepsy

noun

1. deranged or impaired digestion; indigestion (opposed to eupepsia).

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dyspepsia British  

/ dɪsˈpɛpsɪ, dɪsˈpɛpsɪə /

noun

1. indigestion or upset stomach

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dyspepsia Scientific  

/ dĭs-pĕp′shə,-sē-ə /

1. Difficulty in digesting food; indigestion.

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Etymology

Origin of dyspepsia

1650–60; < Latin < Greek dyspepsía, equivalent to dys- dys- + péps ( is ) digestion + -ia -ia

Explanation

If you have chronic indigestion, heartburn, or nausea, you may be diagnosed with the digestive disorder dyspepsia. Dyspepsia can be caused by many things, including ulcers and medications. Dys- is the Greek prefix for bad, and peptos is Greek for digested. Together they make the word dyspeptos, which means hard to digest or literally, badly digested. The Greek word became the root for the adjective dyspeptic, which in turn was the basis for dyspepsia. Sometimes people may say you have dyspepsia when they mean you are chronically in a bad mood or so irritable that it seems like you suffer from chronic indigestion — although this usage is more common with dyspeptic.

Example Sentences

As Indigestion, Flatulency, Heartburn, Waterbrash, Sick-Headache, Constipation, Biliousness, and all forms of Dyspepsia; regulating the action of the stomach, and of the digestive organs.

From A Life For a Love A Novel by Meade, L. T.

Dyspepsia and rheumatism are the commonest ailments; and to combat these, myriads of pills and numberless elixirs are annually swallowed.

From Literary Tours in The Highlands and Islands of Scotland by Holmes, Daniel Turner

If you have any or all of the above symptoms, then you are afflicted with Dyspepsia, and should endeavor to obtain relief.

From The Ladies Book of Useful Information Compiled from many sources by Anonymous

Complete Explanation of the Physiology of the Digestive Processes, with the Symptoms and Treatment of Dyspepsia and other Disorders.

From How To Behave: A Pocket Manual Of Republican Etiquette, And Guide To Correct Personal Habits Embracing An Exposition Of The Principles Of Good Manners; Useful Hints On The Care Of The Person, Eating, Drinking, Exercise, Habits, Dress, Self-Culture, And Behavior At Home; The Etiquette Of Salutations, Introductions, Receptions, Visits, Dinners, Evening Parties, Conversation, Letters, Presents, Weddings, Funerals, The Street, The Church, Places Of Amusement, Traveling, Etc., With Illustrative Anecdotes, a Chapter on Love and Courtship, and Rules of Order for Debating Societies by Wells, Samuel R. (Samuel Roberts)

Dyspepsia, Acute.—Acute dyspepsia is usually caused by some improper diet, as the eating of an unusual article of food or of a larger amount than necessary.

From Treatise on the Diseases of Women by Pinkham, Lydia Estes

Related Words

• cynicism
• despair
• distrust
• gloom
• grief
• hopelessness
• melancholy
• sadness
• unhappiness