TabletWise.com
 

Stomach Disorders

Also called: Gastric disorders

Your stomach is an organ between your esophagus and small intestine. It is where digestion of protein begins. The stomach has three tasks. It stores swallowed food. It mixes the food with stomach acids. Then it sends the mixture on to the small intestine.

Most people have a problem with their stomach at one time or another. Indigestion and heartburn are common problems. You can relieve some stomach problems with over-the-counter medicines and lifestyle changes, such as avoiding fatty foods or eating more slowly. Other problems like peptic ulcers or GERD require medical attention.

You should see a doctor if you have any of the following:

  • Blood when you have a bowel movement
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Heartburn not relieved by antacids
  • Unintended weight loss
  • Ongoing vomiting or diarrhea

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Symptoms of Stomach Disorders

The following features are indicative of Stomach Disorders:
  • early fullness
  • unpleasant fullness
  • upper abdominal discomfort or bloating
  • upper abdominal burning
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • belching
  • burning stomach pain
  • fatty food intolerance
It is possible that Stomach Disorders shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.

Get TabletWise Pro

Thousands of Classes to Help You Become a Better You.

Common Causes of Stomach Disorders

The following are the most common causes of Stomach Disorders:
  • overeating
  • smoking
  • alcohol
  • fatty or spicy food
  • supplements
  • stress
  • Helicobacter pylori bacteria
  • regular use of pain relievers

Other Causes of Stomach Disorders

The following are the less common causes of Stomach Disorders:
  • anxiety
  • gallstones
  • gastritis
  • pancreatitis
  • intestinal or stomach ulcers
  • intestinal ischemia
  • constipation
  • celiac disease

Risk Factors for Stomach Disorders

The following factors may increase the likelihood of Stomach Disorders:
  • smoking
  • fatty or spicy food consumption
  • use of iron or other supplements
  • stress
  • alcohol consumption

Prevention of Stomach Disorders

Yes, it may be possible to prevent Stomach Disorders. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
  • give enough time for meals
  • chew properly and completely
  • avoid talking while eating
  • avoid exercise after meal
  • relax if indigestion is due to stress
  • protect yourself from infections
  • use caution with pain relievers

Occurrence of Stomach Disorders

Number of Cases

The following are the number of Stomach Disorders cases seen each year worldwide:
  • Very common > 10 Million cases

Common Age Group

Stomach Disorders can occur at any age.

Common Gender

Stomach Disorders can occur in any gender.

Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Stomach Disorders

The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Stomach Disorders:
  • Laboratory tests: To check thyroid function and other metabolic disorders
  • Breath and stool tests: To check for peptic ulcers
  • Endoscopy: To check digestive system functions
  • X-ray or CT scan: To check intestinal functions
  • Physical Exam: To diagnose the peptic ulcer and detect bloating in your abdomen
  • Blood test: To determine if the results fall within the normal range for different disorders or infections
  • Urea breath test: To check the levels of carbon dioxide in your stomach or small intestine
  • Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy and biopsy: To view inside your upper gastrointestinal tract
  • Upper gastrointestinal series: To view the shape of your upper gastrointestinal tract

Doctor for Diagnosis of Stomach Disorders

Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Stomach Disorders:
  • Gastroenterologist

Complications of Stomach Disorders if untreated

Yes, Stomach Disorders causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Stomach Disorders is left untreated:
  • affects quality of life
  • loss of appetite
  • internal bleeding
  • infection
  • scarring

Procedures for Treatment of Stomach Disorders

The following procedures are used to treat Stomach Disorders:
  • Psychological therapy: To treat anxiety or depression causing indigestion
  • Surgery: To treat the bleeding ulcers

Medicines for Stomach Disorders

Self-care for Stomach Disorders

The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Stomach Disorders:
  • Follow healthy eating habits: Eat healthy 5 to 6 meals a day
  • Avoid caffeine: Reduce consumption of alcohol or caffeine
  • Avoid certain medications: Avoid indigestion triggering medications
  • Avoid spicy or fatty food
  • Choose a healthy diet: Provides relief from the pain of a stomach ulcer
  • Control stress: Prevents the worsening the signs and symptoms of a peptic ulcer
  • Don't smoke: Lowers the stomach acid
  • Avoid alcohol: Prevents the inflammation and bleeding of the mucous lining in your stomach and intestines
  • Try to get enough sleep: Reduces the stress

Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Stomach Disorders

The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Stomach Disorders:
  • Herbal therapy: To ease indigestion
  • Psychological treatment: To treat stress or anxiety induced indigestion
  • Acupuncture therapy: To block the nerve pathways carrying pain sensation to brain
  • Meditation: To ease stress induced indigestion
  • Intake of turmeric, deglycyrrhizinated licorice, neem bark extract: To treat stomach disorders

Patient Support for Treatment of Stomach Disorders

The following actions may help Stomach Disorders patients:
  • Join eradication programs: Helps in eradicating the Helicobacter pylori infection

Time for Treatment of Stomach Disorders

While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Stomach Disorders to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
  • In 1 - 4 weeks

Is Stomach Disorders Infectious?

Yes, Stomach Disorders is known to be infectious. It can spread across people via the following means:
  • human saliva
  • sharing food utensils

Last updated date

This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Stomach Disorders.
Abdominal Pain
Gastroenteritis
Indigestion
Nausea and Vomiting
Peptic Ulcer
Stomach Cancer

Sign Up



Share

Share with friends, get 20% off
Invite your friends to TabletWise learning marketplace. For each purchase they make, you get 20% off (upto $10) on your next purchase.