Dyspepsia is a common yet poorly understood problem. In the majority of cases, no underlying structural abnormality can be identified and it then becomes a frustrating problem for both patients, who expect an explanation for their discomfort and doctors, who do not know what to do for these patients. Symptoms can be severe and occasionally incapacitating and it cannot be dismissed as a trivial problem. Taking into account the costs of doctor consultations, medications and utilization of healthcare services, impairment of work performance and absenteeism from work, dyspepsia is indeed a burden tosociety.