Index
The stomach is your body’s fuel factory.
The stomach, one of the principal organs of the digestive system, acts as the fuel factory for your body. It helps break down large pieces of food into small enough particles that can be easily absorbed into the bloodstream for energy extraction.
Any disturbance or malfunction in this part of the body means that the fuel supply to the remaining elements will be cut off, seriously affecting the overall functioning of the body. Therefore, if you want to stay healthy, active, fit, intelligent, and energetic, it is essential to take special care of this organ.
Stomach diseases, how to stay away from them?
Medical researchers have identified dozens of conditions that affect the structure and function of the large plastic bag in the abdomen, commonly called the stomach. Some are mild, while others can be very painful and seriously affect your routine life.
The first and foremost requirement to stay away from stomach disorders is to be aware of such conditions.
How can you deal with a hazard when you have no idea about it?
If you are committed to avoiding any possible disorder before your stomach attacks, you must learn about all these abnormalities with a particular focus on their causes, symptoms, preventive measures, and treatment strategies before it is too late.
Common stomach conditions
Although some stomach conditions are generally infrequent, there are a large number of them that are very common.
The leading causes include malnutrition, overeating, excessive toasted foods, and poor meal times. Too much consumption of fatty foods and alcoholic beverages can also be hazardous.
Here is a brief overview of some of the more common stomach ailments.
Stomach diseases
Reflux
Sometimes the lower esophageal sphincter opens, causing the acid produced in the stomach to flow back into the esophagus. As a result, the individual experiences chest pain and heartburn. If the problem occurs too often, the condition is called gastroesophageal reflux disease.
It is also briefly denoted as GERD. More than 15 million adults in the US experience heartburn daily, while more than 60 million people face the same condition at least once a month.
Common symptoms:
- Mild to severe stomach acidity.
- Gastric indigestion.
- Burning chest pain sensation begins behind the breastbone and spreads to the throat and neck regions.
- Regurgitation of food from the stomach into the esophagus.
Suggested treatment
Healthcare providers often recommend dietary and lifestyle changes to treat the disease, advising to avoid those foods and drinks that can weaken the LES or lower esophageal sphincter.
Gastric ulcers
Also known as stomach ulcers or peptic ulcers, it is one of the most severe diseases of the stomach. It develops holes in the stomach walls due to excessive secretion of digestive acid, hydrochloric acid, or HCL.
In addition, an improper diet, bacterial infections, and frequent consumption of alcohol and tobacco can also contribute to the development of gastric ulcers.
Common symptoms
- Burning pain in the middle or upper part of the stomach occurs either at night or between meals.
- Swelling.
- Vomiting or vomiting
- Black or dark color of the stool due to bleeding.
- Severe pain in the abdominal region.
- Loss of body weight
- Blood in vomit
- Orifice development through the stomach wall.
Suggested treatment
Peptic ulcers must be treated in time, or the victim would have to face serious health problems.
Mild cases can be treated with appropriate lifestyle changes, while severe cases require medication or surgery.
Proton pump inhibitors or PPIs are used to lower acid levels in the stomach so that ulcers can heal.
Gastric cancer
Commonly known as stomach cancer, it is another one of the deadly stomach disorder and is caused by exposure to carcinogens or carcinogens. This disease is characterized by abnormal division of stomach cells, resulting in the development of malignant tumors.
This disease is hazardous and has slow growth that can take several years to reach maturity.
Common symptoms
- Burning sensation and pain in the chest region.
- Food indigestion.
- Loss of appetite and weight loss.
- Nausea or vomiting
- Stomach pain and bloody stools.
- Bloated feeling and difficulty swallowing.
- Feeling tired and weak
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes.
Suggested treatment
After diagnosis through blood tests, upper endoscopy, CT scan, and biopsy, your healthcare provider would recommend an effective treatment measure.
The choice of treatment method also depends on the history of the patient. Commonly applied healing methods include chemotherapy, radiation, chemoradiation, drug administration, surgery, etc.
Dyspepsia
It is more commonly known as indigestion. Dyspepsia can be caused due to several factors, including bacterial infection, overeating, and a high intake of junk food. The most common symptoms include bloating, nausea, vomiting, acid reflux, and abdominal pain.
Other common symptoms
- Discomfort or pain in the belly
- The bloating and uncomfortable feeling of fullness after meals.
- Regurgitation of food or liquid.
- Nausea and heartburn.
- Loss of appetite
Suggested treatment
Diet changes and lifestyle modifications are often helpful in eliminating the symptoms of this disorder. Doctors advise patients to avoid smoking, chewing tobacco, and lying down immediately after eating. Losing weight can also be helpful, as can avoiding wearing tight clothing in between.
Constipation
Usually, a human defecates his stool once a day which shows that the stomach is working well, but if a person has less than three bowel movements a week, the condition is known as constipation. The food movement in the colon becomes slower than every day, causing stomach problems.
Common symptoms
- Straining or difficulty defecating.
- Hardening of stool.
- Irregularity in bowel movements.
- Swelling and pain in the abdominal area.
- Threw up.
