levosulpiride and Helicobacter-Infections

Functional dyspepsia is defined as a group of symptoms, whether related or unrelated to intake, localized in the upper abdomen, that manifest in the form of discomfort or epigastric pain, postprandial fullness and early satiety, in the absence of any demonstrable organic or structural anomaly. The etiopathogenesis and physiopathology of the process are unknown but factors that may be involved include gastric motility disorders, visceral hypersensitivity, psychological and genetic factors, Helicobacter pylori infection, and gastric acid hypersecretion. There is still no etiological treatment and consequently treatment is empirical and based on symptoms. This article reviews the main therapeutic options currently available, with special emphasis on the use of certain phytoceuticals (STW 5), in an attempt to integrate with traditional scientific medicine. This article also proposes an integrative therapeutic algorithm.

Topics: Algorithms; Anti-Anxiety Agents; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antidepressive Agents; Breath Tests; Clinical Trials as Topic; Combined Modality Therapy; Dyspepsia; Gastric Emptying; Gastritis; Gastrointestinal Motility; Helicobacter Infections; Humans; Integrative Medicine; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Multicenter Studies as Topic; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Psychotherapy; Sulpiride

The clinical presentation of a young woman with galactorrhoea is described in detail including the history and clinical examination findings. While the patient and her family members feared a serious medical condition which had so far been an obscurity despite a number of investigations, we tried to diagnose the patient starting from the basics, which after a proper history revealed a levosulpiride-induced galactorrhoea. This again lays emphasis on the old adage in medical field that 'a proper history and examination are the key to diagnosis'. There are few reports pertaining to levosulpiride-induced galactorrhoea making it a rare side effect of this drug. We further try to discuss the different causes of galactorrhoea in a young non-pregnant woman which can be encountered in clinical practice.

Topics: Depression; Dyspepsia; Female; Galactorrhea; Helicobacter Infections; Humans; Pituitary Gland; Proton Pump Inhibitors; Sulpiride; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult