What are the common symptoms of stomach illnesses? How can digestive diseases be treated? Explore a detailed overview of the digestive system and common related conditions.

Understanding the Digestive System

The digestive system is a complex network of organs that work together to break down food, absorb nutrients, and eliminate waste. This system includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. Each part plays a crucial role in the digestion process, and disturbances to this system can lead to a range of stomach issues and digestive disorders.

Common Stomach Illnesses and Symptoms

People may experience stomach problems for a variety of reasons, including dietary habits, lifestyle factors, and underlying digestive disorders. Some of the most common stomach issues and their symptoms include:

• Cramps: Abdominal cramping can be a sign of conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis.
• Vomiting: Frequent vomiting can indicate a stomach virus, food poisoning, or a more serious condition like gastroparesis or cyclic vomiting syndrome.
• Changes in stool: Diarrhea, constipation, or changes in stool consistency can point to issues like lactose intolerance, diverticulosis, or inflammatory bowel diseases.
• Acid reflux: Heartburn, regurgitation, and a sour taste in the mouth are symptoms of acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
• Bloating and gas: Excess gas, bloating, and discomfort can be caused by conditions like IBS, celiac disease, or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).

Diagnosing and Treating Digestive Disorders

If stomach issues persist or worsen, it’s important to seek medical attention. Healthcare providers may use a variety of diagnostic tests, such as endoscopies, colonoscopies, or imaging scans, to identify the underlying cause. Treatment for digestive disorders can vary depending on the condition, but may include dietary changes, medication, or in some cases, surgery.

Chronic Digestive Diseases

While some stomach issues may be temporary, others can become chronic, long-lasting conditions. Some examples of chronic digestive diseases include:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): A disorder characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits.
• Crohn’s Disease: An inflammatory bowel disease that can cause inflammation and damage to any part of the digestive tract.
• Celiac Disease: An autoimmune disorder triggered by the consumption of gluten, which can damage the small intestine.
• Ulcerative Colitis: Another inflammatory bowel disease that primarily affects the large intestine and rectum.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): A chronic condition in which stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing symptoms like heartburn and regurgitation.

Maintaining Digestive Health

While some digestive issues may be unavoidable, there are steps individuals can take to support their overall digestive health:

1. Eat a balanced, fiber-rich diet: Consuming a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help maintain a healthy gut.
2. Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can aid in digestion and prevent constipation.
3. Exercise regularly: Physical activity can help improve bowel function and reduce the risk of certain digestive disorders.
4. Manage stress: Chronic stress can negatively impact the gut, so it’s important to find healthy ways to cope with stress.
5. Avoid trigger foods: Individuals with specific digestive conditions may need to eliminate certain foods from their diet to manage their symptoms.

When to Seek Medical Attention

If stomach issues persist or worsen, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider. Some signs that it’s time to seek medical attention include:

• Severe or persistent abdominal pain
• Frequent or severe vomiting
• Blood in stool
• Unexplained weight loss
• Difficulty swallowing
• Chronic constipation or diarrhea

Early diagnosis and treatment of digestive disorders can help prevent complications and improve overall quality of life.

Conclusion

The digestive system plays a crucial role in our overall health, and understanding common stomach illnesses and digestive diseases is essential. By recognizing the symptoms, seeking prompt medical attention when necessary, and adopting healthy lifestyle habits, individuals can take proactive steps to maintain a healthy digestive system and improve their overall well-being.

Digestive Diseases – NIDDK

The digestive system made up of the gastrointestinal tract (GI), liver, pancreas, and gallbladder helps the body digest food. Digestion is important for breaking down food into nutrients, which your body uses for energy, growth, and cell repair.

Some digestive diseases and conditions are acute, lasting only a short time, while others are chronic, or long-lasting.

Your Digestive System & How It Works

Featured Topics

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Crohn’s Disease
• Celiac Disease

• Bowel Control Problems (Fecal Incontinence)
• Gas
• Lactose Intolerance

• Diarrhea
• Diverticulosis & Diverticulitis
• Acid Reflux (GER & GERD)

More Digestive Disease Topics

Infants & Children

• Acid Reflux (GER & GERD) in Infants
• Acid Reflux (GER & GERD) in Children
• Chronic Diarrhea in Children
• Constipation in Children
• Hirschsprung Disease
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in Children

Diagnostic Tests

• Celiac Disease Testing (for Health Care Professionals)
• Colonoscopy
• ERCP

• Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
• Lower GI Series
• Upper GI Endoscopy
• Upper GI Series
• Virtual Colonoscopy

Digestive Disease Topics

• Abdominal Adhesions
• Acid Reflux (GER & GERD) in Adults
• Acid Reflux (GER & GERD) in Infants
• Anatomic Problems of the Lower GI Tract
• Appendicitis
• Barrett’s Esophagus
• Bowel Control Problems (Fecal Incontinence)
• Celiac Disease
• Colon Polyps
• Constipation
• Crohn’s Disease

• Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome
• Diarrhea
• Diverticulosis & Diverticulitis
• Dumping Syndrome
• Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI)
• Food Poisoning
• Gallstones
• Gas
• Gastritis
• Gastroparesis
• GI Bleeding
• Hemorrhoids
• Hirschsprung Disease
• Indigestion (Dyspepsia)

• Inguinal Hernia
• Intestinal Pseudo-obstruction
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Lactose Intolerance
• Liver Disease
• Microscopic Colitis
• Ostomy Surgery of the Bowel
• Pancreatitis
• Peptic Ulcers (Stomach Ulcers)

• Proctitis
• Short Bowel Syndrome
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Viral Gastroenteritis
• Your Digestive System & How It Works
• Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome

Statistics

Statistics for Digestive Diseases in the United States

Healthy Moments Radio

Listen to health tips from Dr. Rodgers in his weekly 1-minute episodes.

• 
  Irritable Bowel Syndrome & Your Diet
  
• 
  What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
  
• 
  How to Stay Gluten Free
  
• 
  Celiac Disease: What Is a Gluten-Free Diet?
  
• 
  Diagnosing Celiac Disease
  
• 
  What Is Celiac Disease?
  

More Healthy Moments Radio

Digestive Diseases for Health Professionals

• Dermatitis Herpetiformis
• Dental Enamel Defects & Celiac Disease
• Celiac Disease Testing

More Resources for Digestive Diseases Health Professionals

Clinical Trials

Watch a video of NIDDK Director Dr. Griffin P. Rodgers explaining the importance of participating in clinical trials

Research Discoveries & News

• 
  Cellular response to bacteria may explain why infection sometimes causes stomach cancer
• 
  Identifying the distinguishing features of bile acid diarrhea
• 
  How gut bacteria use a bile acid to keep inflammation in check
• 
  Identifying defects in wound healing in inflammatory bowel disease
• 
  How a gut “feeling” helps digestion
• 
  Chatty neighboring cells promote eosinophilic esophagitis

More Research News

Common digestive disorders: Symptoms and treatments

People may experience stomach issues for reasons ranging from eating habits to digestive disorders. Common symptoms of stomach issues include cramps, vomiting, and changes to stool.

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract consists of the mouth, stomach, and intestines. Together with the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas, these organs work together to absorb nutrients and expel waste.

Disturbances to this process can cause a range of symptoms, from cramps to vomiting. Many of these issues may pass with time and pose little risk of complication. However, seemingly common stomach issues can be the result of several digestive disorders.

Knowing the signs and symptoms of common digestive disorders can help people identify them and seek relevant treatment.

In this article, we provide a list of more and less common digestive disorders, discuss their symptoms and treatments, and indicate when to contact a doctor.

Digestive disorders are a group of conditions that occur when the digestive system does not function as it should. Health experts split them into two categories: organic and functional GI disorders.

Organic GI disorders occur when there are structural abnormalities in the digestive system, which prevents it from working properly.

In functional GI disorders, the GI tract appears to be structurally normal but still does not function well.

Some of the more common digestive disorders include:

• irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
• gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• gallstones
• celiac disease
• Crohn’s disease
• ulcerative colitis (UC)

Examples of less common digestive disorders include:

• Hirschsprung’s disease
• achalasia
• Ménétrier disease

In the following sections, we look at these conditions in more detail.

The main symptom of IBS is abdominal pain, which may occur before or after bowel movements. People can also experience diarrhea, constipation, or both.

Whether a person typically experiences diarrhea or constipation more often, or both equally, determines which type of IBS they have.

Other symptoms of IBS may include:

• bloating
• white mucus in the stool
• incomplete bowel movements

A combination of factors can cause or worsen IBS symptoms. People with IBS are more likely to have experienced traumatic life events or to have a mental health condition. However, IBS can also develop after an infection or as a result of SIBO.

A variety of factors can contribute to IBS. That is why different people benefit from different approaches to managing their symptoms. They may need to:

• make dietary changes
• learn to reduce stress
• address underlying conditions

Learn more about treatments for IBS here.

When to contact a doctor

Individuals with IBS should consult a doctor if they experience severe abdominal pain or cramps.

They should also contact a medical professional if any other IBS symptoms suddenly worsen or change or affect the person’s daily functioning or quality of life.

SIBO occurs when bacteria from the large intestine migrate to the small intestine, causing symptoms such as:

• bloating
• diarrhea
• constipation

Treatment for SIBO involves taking antibiotics, but it may also include medications to help with digestion and address the underlying cause.

When to contact a doctor

A person experiencing SIBO symptoms for the first time should contact a doctor immediately. The doctor can advise them about what medications or lifestyle changes may help with their condition.

People who have a previous SIBO diagnosis should contact a doctor if their symptoms suddenly become worse or affect their daily life or if their treatment plan is no longer working.

Acid reflux occurs when a person’s stomach contents come back up into the esophagus or food pipe. If this happens frequently, a person may have GERD, which is a long-term condition.

GERD can cause esophagitis, which is inflammation or irritation of the esophagus. However, a person can also have GERD without esophagitis.

Common symptoms of GERD with esophagitis include:

• heartburn
• acid reflux
• chest pain
• nausea
• pain while swallowing

Doctors are not always sure what causes GERD, but risk factors can include:

• taking certain medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• having obesity
• inhaling secondhand smoke
• being pregnant
• having a hiatal hernia

Treatment for GERD may include making dietary changes, quitting smoking, taking over-the-counter medications to manage the symptoms, or receiving treatments that address the underlying cause.

When to contact a doctor

Severe GERD can impact a person’s quality of life.

Individuals should consult a healthcare professional if they experience any of the following:

• worsening symptoms
• an increase in symptom frequency
• difficulty swallowing
• unexplained weight loss
• vomiting as a result of GERD

The gallbladder is a small sac that stores bile, which the body uses during digestion. Gallstones are small stones that form in the gallbladder.

In most cases, a person may not know that they have gallstones, as they usually do not produce any symptoms. However, people may experience symptoms if the gallstones form in front of an opening in the gallbladder.

Symptoms may include:

• persistent pain below the ribs, on the right-hand side of the body
• jaundice
• a high temperature
• nausea
• vomiting
• sweating

Treatment for gallstones may include surgical removal of the gallbladder or a procedure whereby a healthcare professional will remove gallstones from the bile duct.

When to contact a doctor

While gallstones often do not cause any symptoms, they can lead to serious complications.

People should seek medical attention if they experience any of the following:

• abdominal pain that lasts for more than 8 hours
• jaundice
• a high temperature or chills

It is also advisable to consult a healthcare professional if an individual is experiencing any of these symptoms more than 2–3 times per week over the course of weeks or months.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that causes the body to attack the intestinal lining if a person eats foods containing gluten.

Unlike non-celiac gluten sensitivity, celiac disease is a serious condition that can cause damage to the intestines if left untreated.

Symptoms of celiac disease can include:

• long-term diarrhea
• constipation
• stools that are pale, that are smellier than usual, and that float
• abdominal pain
• bloating
• gas
• nausea
• vomiting

Over time, untreated celiac disease can lead to complications such as:

• malnutrition
• bone softening
• problems relating to the nervous system
• problems with reproduction

The main treatment for celiac disease is following a gluten-free diet.

When to contact a doctor

The sooner doctors can reach a celiac disease diagnosis, the sooner they can recommend dietary and medicinal treatment options.

People experiencing recurring symptoms of celiac disease should contact a doctor for assessment.

A person with a diagnosis should seek medical help if previous symptoms return suddenly or worsen or if the person experiences unexplained fatigue.

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It causes chronic inflammation in the GI tract, most often in the small intestine.

Some common symptoms of Crohn’s disease include:

• chronic diarrhea
• unexplained weight loss
• stomach pain
• bloody stools
• fatigue

Crohn’s disease may be due to an autoimmune reaction to certain bacteria in the digestive tract. However, genetic and environmental factors can play a role as well.

People with Crohn’s disease often require drugs to reduce the inflammation. Some people may also require bowel rests to help the intestines heal, or surgery.

Learn about the five types of Crohn’s disease and their symptoms here.

When to contact a doctor

Crohn’s disease is a serious condition that requires medicinal or surgical treatment.

People should contact a doctor to test for Crohn’s disease if they experience any of the above symptoms. The sooner that a person can treat and control their flare-ups, the better chance they have of avoiding complications in the future.

Individuals with the condition should seek emergency medical help if their treatments appear to have stopped working or if symptoms become more frequent or severe.

UC is a type of IBD that causes inflammation in the rectum and large intestine. The inflammation can also spread to other parts of the intestine over time.

Some symptoms of UC may include:

• long-term diarrhea
• unexplained weight loss
• tiredness
• abdominal pain

As with other types of IBD, what triggers UC could be a combination of an autoimmune response, genetics, and environmental causes.

When to contact a doctor

People without a previous diagnosis of UC should seek immediate medical help if they experience any of the above symptoms. Doctors will be able to determine whether the person has the condition or not and suggest a treatment plan if necessary.

Treatment may involve dietary changes, medications to manage inflammation and reduce symptoms, or surgery. The sooner that a person starts treating their UC, the better their long-term outlook will be.

Individuals with UC should contact a doctor if they experience severe or recurring flare-ups.

Other less common digestive disorders can cause stomach issues. A person experiencing any of the below symptoms should contact a doctor immediately for testing and potential treatment.

Hirschsprung’s disease

Hirschsprung’s disease is a rare condition that people are born with. It involves the body’s inability to reflexively open the internal anal sphincter.

Symptoms in newborns may include:

• not passing their first bowel movement within 48 hours of birth
• constipation
• vomiting
• swollen stomach

Symptoms occurring later in life may include:

• lack of appetite
• diarrhea
• small, watery stools

The usual treatment for Hirschsprung’s disease is surgery.

Achalasia

Achalasia is a rare condition that typically affects adults aged 25–60 years. It occurs when the esophagus loses the ability to move food toward the stomach, and the valve at the end may fail to open.

Symptoms may include:

• the sensation while eating that food is not “going down”
• heartburn
• regurgitation of food
• coughing or choking during sleep

Treatment may involve medication or surgery.

Ménétrier disease

Ménétrier disease occurs when the mucous membrane that lines the stomach overgrows and leads to large gastric folds.

Some symptoms that people may experience are:

• pain in the upper middle region of the stomach
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea

However, some people have no symptoms. Doctors do not know the exact cause of Ménétrier disease.

Treatment may involve medications or potentially a gastrectomy, which is the surgical removal of part or all of the stomach.

Doctors may begin trying to diagnose a digestive condition by performing a physical examination and asking questions about an individual’s symptoms and medical history. For example, a doctor may ask about:

• medications a person takes
• their diet and lifestyle
• whether any relatives have digestive conditions

They may then proceed to order tests such as:

• blood tests, which may help detect celiac disease, inflammation, or signs of infection
• stool tests, which can detect inflammation and examine the bacteria in a person’s gut
• endoscopy, which involves a doctor inserting a tiny camera into the esophagus to examine the upper GI tract
• colonoscopy, during which a doctor inserts a tiny camera into the rectum to examine the lower GI tract
• lactulose breath tests, which doctors use to diagnose SIBO
• medical imaging, such as CT scans, ultrasounds, and X-rays

A person may need to consult different medical professionals while getting a diagnosis. For instance, they may consult a primary care physician, gastroenterologists, or dietitians, among others.

There are many digestive disorders, ranging from common to rare. Many involve similar symptoms, which can make them difficult to diagnose.

If a person notices that they have symptoms that are not normal for them, they should seek medical advice to rule out serious conditions, receive a diagnosis, and begin to undergo treatment.

ABC-medicine

Today, diseases of the stomach occupy one of the first places in the statistics of the incidence of human organs. Among the main reasons for this, the wrong way of life of modern people is distinguished. Harmful food, poisoned air, stress – all this has a negative impact on human health. As a rule, this is most strongly reflected in the state of the gastrointestinal tract.

Causes

One of the most common causes of inflammation of the gastric mucosa can be considered food poisoning, which is often caused by poor-quality food, decay products, bacteria, as well as the use of strong alcoholic beverages. The cause of inflammation can be irritation of the stomach wall with food, for example, eating too much food. All kinds of poisons have a detrimental effect on the body – alkalis, acids, mercury preparations, prolonged use of a number of drugs, as well as a high sensitivity of the body to certain products (crayfish, eggs, strawberries, etc.). As a rule, only the gastric mucosa is affected, but in some cases, muscle tissue can also be affected.

Symptoms

Loss of appetite. Complete, partial loss or perversion of appetite. All these symptoms are characteristic of various diseases and arise due to damage to the walls of the stomach or a violation of its peristalsis.

White coating on the tongue. Consequence of excessive desquamation of the epithelium of the tongue. It is one of the first symptoms of stomach damage.

Belching. May occur when the stomach muscles contract when the foramen magnum is open. There are several types of belching:

• air;
• with the smell of hydrogen sulfide;
• bitter;
• sour;
• putrid smell;
• rancid oil smell.

Heartburn. It is evidence of a violation of the tone of the lower esophagus and the cardial part of the stomach, because of this, the acidic contents of the stomach are thrown into the lumen of the esophagus.

Pain in the epigastric region. Pain can be different: drawing, cutting, squeezing, cutting, etc.

Nausea. Such sensations are associated with the anti-peristaltic nature of the movements of the stomach.

Vomiting. Often, this symptom of a stomach disease manifests itself when the stomach receptors are irritated by food of poor quality or when their functioning is pathologically disturbed.

Constipation. This symptom is characteristic of gastritis with high acidity of gastric juice, and is also a manifestation of gastric ulcer. The mechanism of their occurrence is a decrease in intestinal motility.

Diarrhea. Often a sign of gastritis with low acidity. The mechanism of their occurrence is opposite to constipation.

Weight loss. It occurs when, against the background of atrophic or inflammatory processes, disorders of digestion and absorption of substances develop.

Temperature increase. This symptom of stomach disease is characteristic of acute inflammatory processes in it.

Diagnostics

Poll. Often, diseases of the stomach are chronic, develop gradually, begin with minor symptoms. The patient is subjected to a detailed questioning, first of all, the doctor seeks to find out what the patient’s diet is. Thus, the survey allows not only to correctly establish the diagnosis, but also to identify the cause of the disease of the stomach.

Inspection and palpation. On examination, the doctor may note a protrusion of the epigastric region due to excessive filling of the stomach or a significant tumor. The main physical method of examining the stomach is palpation. Percussion and auscultation, as a rule, do not have diagnostic value in this case, due to the fact that the stomach and intestines usually give the same tympanic sound.

Examination of the secretory function of the stomach. In diseases of the stomach, there are cases of changes in its secretory function. There is increased secretion (acidity), normal, low, lack of acidity or the absolute absence of gastric juice.

X-ray examination. Translucence of the stomach (as well as the intestines and esophagus) on an x-ray machine allows you to get a lot of information. The patient takes a contrast mass (barium salts), it fills the stomach, allowing you to determine its shape and evaluate peristalsis.

Treatment

The choice of treatment depends on the disease identified. If you want to make an appointment at the ABC-Medicine clinic for the diagnosis and treatment of stomach diseases, call +7 (495) 223-38-83.

Prevention of peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum – article on the site Aptechestvo, Nizhny Novgorod

According to statistics from the World Health Organization, problems with the stomach and duodenum are diagnosed in 10% of the world’s inhabitants. The danger of peptic ulcer is that it recurs and can develop into cancer. Prevention of peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum is one of the measures that allow you to control the changes that occur in the organs.

Causes of disease

It is proved that the causative agent of peptic ulcer is the bacterium Helicobacter. Other factors influencing the development of the pathological process are the following:

• nutritional features;

• low stress resistance;

• smoking;

• frequent use of alcohol;

• heredity.

Prevention of gastric ulcer is aimed at creating a physiological balance between the gastrointestinal mucosa.

Diagnostics and prevention

Timely access to a doctor helps to prevent an unfavorable course of the disease. In people suffering from pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, the mucous membrane is highly inflamed. Constant discomfort leads to a decrease in the quality of life.

If the main symptom of an ulcer is abdominal pain, but in case of complications, the situation is different. The patient complains of severe discomfort behind the sternum, on the right side of the ribs and epigastrium. It is felt at night or a couple of hours after eating.

Additional signs:

The main tool for determining complications should be the EGD procedure. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy provides information about the stage of the disease. The pathology of the stomach and duodenum is a chronic process. Relapses can be avoided only by following the doctor’s recommendations. Diagnosis of GU includes testing for H. pylori.

How to prevent relapse

Primary and secondary prevention of complications of gastric ulcer involves a number of activities:

• compliance with anti-epidemic measures if a bacterium is found in one of the family members;

• quitting smoking and alcohol;

• regular visits to the dentist;

• therapy of diseases when an exacerbation occurs;

• following the doctor’s recommendations about the diet;

• organization of the daily routine, physical activity;

• refusal of drugs that cause inflammation of the gastric mucosa;

• exemption from shift work and business trips;

• visiting a gastroenterologist twice a year (spring and autumn).