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With 2 clinics located in Central London and 2 in North-West London, Dr Arun Rajendran takes pride in offering expert, friendly, and effective care for a comprehensive range of conditions affecting the gullet, stomach, colon, and liver.

+44 (0)20 3404 5254

mailgastro@pm.me
London clinic and Onewelbeck
BMI The Clementine Churchill Hospital
OSD Healthcare

Monday - Friday 09:00 - 17:00

Saturday and Sunday - CLOSED

+44 (0)20 3404 5254

mailgastro@pm.me

Expert Functional Dyspepsia
That Brings Real Relief

Persistent upper abdominal discomfort and indigestion that won't go away can take a real toll on your day-to-day life. Dr Arun Rajendran offers accurate diagnosis and personalised functional dyspepsia treatment in London — so you can eat, work, and live without the constant worry.

10+ Years' Experience

Specialist gastroenterologist, London.

5 Star

Patient Reviews.

Compassionate Specialist Care

Gastroenterology London

Understanding Your Symptoms

What Is Functional Dyspepsia?

Functional dyspepsia is a common but frequently misunderstood digestive condition. It causes persistent discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen, including bloating, fullness, and nausea, without any structural or structural damage visible on investigation. In other words, the stomach and small intestine look normal, but they are not functioning as they should. It is one of the most common reasons people seek specialist gastro care in the UK, yet it is often dismissed or misdiagnosed. With the right assessment, most patients can achieve meaningful improvement and restore their quality of life.

Very common: Dyspepsia affects up to 1 in 5 people in the UK at some point in their lives.

Two main types: Epigastric pain syndrome and postprandial distress syndrome — both require different management approaches.

With accurate diagnosis and personalised care, most patients see significant improvement and regain confidence around food.

Causes & Risk Factors

Common Functional Dyspepsia Causes

Functional dyspepsia rarely has a single cause.
A combination of factors can trigger and maintain symptoms, identifying your personal triggers is central to effective management.

Impaired Gastric Motility

The stomach empties food too slowly, leading to prolonged fullness, bloating, and discomfort after meals.

Visceral Hypersensitivity

The nerves of the upper gut become oversensitive, causing normal digestive activity to feel painful or uncomfortable.

H. pylori Infection

A bacterial infection of the stomach lining is found in a proportion of patients with functional dyspepsia and can drive persistent symptoms.

Stress & the Gut–Brain Axis

Anxiety, depression, and chronic stress profoundly affect how the gut functions, a well-recognised driver of functional dyspepsia in the UK and beyond.

Diet & Eating Habits

Fatty, spicy, or large meals; eating too quickly; and excessive caffeine or alcohol are all well-known functional dyspepsia triggers.

Medications

NSAIDs, aspirin and some other drugs can irritate the stomach lining and worsen symptoms significantly.

Recognising Your Symptoms

Functional Dyspepsia Symptoms

Functional dyspepsia symptoms can vary from person to person and often come and go.
Knowing what to look out for helps determine when specialist assessment is the right step.

Epigastric Pain

Persistent or recurring pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen, often described as burning, gnawing, or aching, which may worsen when fasting.

Post-Meal Fullness

Feeling uncomfortably full after eating, even a small amount of food, leading to prolonged satiety and discomfort following meals.

Early Satiety

Feeling full very quickly during a meal, preventing normal food intake and often causing incomplete meals or reduced appetite.

Bloating & Distension

Noticeable abdominal swelling or tightness after meals, sometimes accompanied by gas or rumbling, causing discomfort and heaviness.

Nausea

A persistent or intermittent sensation of queasiness, which may or may not lead to vomiting, often triggered by meals.

Burning Sensation

A burning or gnawing feeling in the stomach or upper abdomen, often aggravated by certain foods, stress, or prolonged fasting.

Stop Guessing. Get Answers, Get Relief.

You deserve a clear diagnosis and a treatment plan that actually works for you — not another wait-and-see.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing Functional Dyspepsia

Functional dyspepsia is a diagnosis of careful exclusion — meaning other conditions must be ruled out before the diagnosis is confirmed. Dr Rajendran takes a thorough, unhurried approach, starting with a detailed consultation and arranging only the investigations you actually need.

1

Detailed Consultation

A full review of your symptoms, eating habits, meal timing, medications, stress levels, and any relevant family history of digestive conditions.

2

Blood Tests

Full blood count, inflammatory markers, coeliac antibodies, liver and thyroid function, to rule out other causes of indigestion-like symptoms.

3

H. pylori Testing

A breath test, stool antigen test, or endoscopic biopsy to detect Helicobacter pylori infection, which is directly treatable.

4

Gastroscopy (Upper Endoscopy)

A camera investigation of the oesophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine where indicated — to rule out ulcers, gastritis, or other structural causes.

Treatment

Functional Dyspepsia Treatment: Your Options

There is no single treatment for functional dyspepsia — effective management combines medication,
lifestyle adjustments, and ongoing support, tailored to your specific symptom pattern.

1

H. pylori Eradication

A short course of antibiotics combined with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) where H. pylori is confirmed

2

Medication Management

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or H2 blockers to reduce acid and ease upper abdominal pain

3

Psychological & Gut–Brain Therapies

Gut-directed cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to address the gut–brain connection

4

Ongoing Support

Regular follow-up to review progress and adjust your plan

Diet & Lifestyle

Functional Dyspepsia
Diet & Lifestyle Tips

Alongside medical treatment, small and consistent changes to your daily habits can make a meaningful difference to your symptoms.

Dietary Tips

Eat smaller, more frequent meals, large meals put more strain on a sensitive stomach

Eat slowly and chew thoroughly; rushing meals is a known trigger

Reduce fatty, fried, spicy, and highly processed foods during flare-ups

Keep a food diary to identify your personal functional dyspepsia triggers

Limit caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated drinks, all of which can worsen symptoms

Lifestyle Tips

Do not lie down immediately after eating, wait at least two hours

Maintain a healthy weight; excess abdominal weight increases pressure on the stomach

Stop smoking, smoking directly worsens gastric function and increases dyspepsia risk

Establish regular mealtimes; an erratic eating pattern destabilises gut rhythm

Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing during and after meals

Wellness Tips

Manage stress actively, it is one of the most significant drivers of functional dyspepsia

Try relaxation techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing, yoga, or mindfulness

Prioritise sleep, poor rest worsens gut sensitivity

Take regular, gentle exercise, it supports healthy gastric motility

Speak with your doctor before stopping or changing any medication

Dr Arun Rajendran, Consultant Gastroenterologist with over a decade of experience in the treatment and management of gastroenterological issues.

Your Care, Your Way

Why Choose
Dr Arun Rajendran?

With over a decade of experience, Dr Arun provides expert, friendly gastro care, listening carefully and offering personalised attention because you deserve more than a rushed appointment.

Accurate Diagnosis First

Thorough investigation before treatment, with a clear explanation in plain English.

Personalised Treatment

Every plan is built around your specific diagnosis and lifestyle, not a generic protocol.

Ongoing Support

Continued follow-up, flare-up management, and access to a wider specialist network across London.

Fast London Appointments

Conveniently located across central and south London, often available within days.

Take Control
of Your Digestive Health

Thousands of patients across London and the UK have trusted
Dr Arun Rajendran to get to the bottom of their digestive symptoms.

What Our Patients Say

Patient Reviews & Testimonials

We work with all major UK insurers

We are a self-pay clinic but also accept all major UK healthcare insurance providers.

location

Find Us

Our London Clinic Locations

The London Clinic

20 Devonshire Place, London, W1G 6BW (Wed: 17:45 – 19:30).

OneWelbeck

Welbeck Street, London, W1G 0AR (Mon: 18:00 – 20:00).

Circle Health Group
The Clementine Churchill Hospital

Sudbury Hill, Harrow, HA1 3RX
(Tue 18:00–20:00 · Alt Sat 08:30–10:30).

OSD Healthcare

One Medical House, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 7YU
(Saturday: 09:00 – 11:00).