The stomach has three functions: absorption, mixing food with stomach acid, and sending it to the small intestine. Common stomach upsets range from mild to severe discomfort, with symptoms including nausea, vomiting, cramps, and diarrhea. Lifestyle changes, such as a nutritious diet and exercise, can help ease mild stomach upsets, while severe cases may require medical treatment. Stomach ailments include GERD, dumping syndrome, gastritis, and peptic ulcers, which can be caused by stress, poor eating habits, bacterial infections, or medication.
The stomach is responsible for three different functions in the body. It absorbs and stores the food we eat, mixes it with stomach acid to aid in the digestive process, and then sends the mixture through the small intestine. Common stomach upsets can result from a variety of things that can range from mild to severe discomfort within the gastrointestinal tract. Since the disturbances are localized in this area, most of the symptoms include nausea, vomiting, cramps and diarrhea.
When busy work schedules and life’s stressful situations get in the way of a balanced diet and exercise, our stomachs often pay the price. Mild stomach upsets include heartburn and indigestion. These problems can be eased with over-the-counter medications and some lifestyle changes that involve eating a nutritious diet in smaller portions, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight. Being overweight or eating too much adds pressure to the stomach, forcing food into the esophagus, causing pain and problems associated with heartburn and indigestion.
If food is constantly pushed back up the esophagus by the stomach, it weakens the esophageal sphincter muscle. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), often referred to as acid reflux, can develop when the muscle in the esophageal sphincter is weakened and not working properly. Symptoms of a person suffering from GERD can include a burning sensation in the chest and throat, pain in the chest area, and sometimes acid burping. Prescription drugs can help acid reflux sufferers so they can live normal lives.
Dumping syndrome occurs when a person has had surgery to bypass the stomach to lose weight. This procedure dumps undigested food into the small intestine too quickly. Abdominal cramps and nausea are usually the result of this process.
Gastritis is a condition in the stomach where the stomach lining becomes inflamed. This occurs from the same bacterium that causes stomach ulcers, but it can also be caused by an injury to the stomach or constant painkiller use. The most common symptoms of this stomach upset include bloating, belching, nausea, and burning pain in the upper abdomen.
Peptic ulcers develop on the inner lining of the stomach. These open sores cause abdominal pain and are not only caused by stress and poor eating habits but can also be caused by different medications or a bacterial infection. An ulcer that is not treated can eventually lead to a bleeding ulcer which can prove fatal. Ulcers should be diagnosed and treated by a doctor.
Most of the common stomach ailments that affect our body can be changed with proper lifestyle changes that include diet and exercise. When these changes do not help relieve the discomfort caused by these stomach ailments, a doctor should be consulted for medical treatment. Your doctor will be able to diagnose the problem and treat it effectively.
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