Common Digestive Problems You Should Be Aware of

Everyone struggles with digestive problems at some stage of their lives, be it constipation, diarrhea, or just an overall woozy feeling. It's upsetting and alarming to believe that something is wrong, but research shows that the enteric nervous system, that governs the digestive system (including the gut), plays a much greater role in general health than previously thought. For your digestive ills, you’ll want to contact the best gastroenterologist in OKC.

Chronic Upper Abdominal Stomach Problems and Symptoms

Gastritis

Gastritis is the inflammation of the stomach lining. It has a number of causes, but infectious agents are most common, particularly Helicobacter pylori, as well as aspirin and other NSAIDs.

Several common symptoms of gastritis are:

• Abdominal pain

• Nausea or vomiting

• Losing appetite

• Bloating and burping

Try to avoid common problem foods such as spicy, fatty or fried foods, chili powder, and alcohol, as they may increase the severity of symptoms.

Peptic Ulcer

Gastritis is frequently linked to peptic ulcers. Peptic ulcers are sores that develop in the stomach lining, in the lower esophagus, or in the first part of the small intestine. These are normally caused by inflammation caused by NSAIDs, aspirin and H. pylori.

Upper abdominal pressure, abdominal pain and bloating are the most common symptoms of a peptic ulcer. You can also experience weight loss, loss of appetite, diarrhea, red and dark stools, and vomiting.

Many peptic ulcer patients recover with proper treatment. And, untreated, they may turn worse with time and contribute to more severe health risks, including a perforated or a bleeding ulcer (which can cause substantial blood loss) and a scar tissue that may cause stringency, which makes food difficult to pass through your digestive tract.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition where the contents of the stomach move back and reflux into the esophagus from the stomach. The esophagus is the duct connecting the mouth to the abdomen.

Reflux is a normal process that can occur in people with no serious acid reflux symptoms. In contrast, GERD is diagnosed in patients with acid reflux episodes causing more severe symptoms.

GERD patients may have symptoms caused by acid that irritates or hurts the esophagus or back of the throat.

Chronic Diarrhea

Many bowel infections cause less than 4 weeks of diarrhea. Tuberculosis, giardiasis, amebiasis and tropical sprue can all lead to chronic diarrhea, however.

Food intolerance in adults can sometimes lead to chronic diarrhea. Intolerance to lactose is common in Asian countries and can lead to diarrhea and milk products bloating. Some patients may also have diarrhea from alcohol and artificial sweeteners.

Diseases not only of the intestines can cause chronic diarrhea.

Common diarrheal non-intestinal diseases include thyroid disease and diabetes. Chronic pancreatitis which causes deficiency of the pancreatic enzyme may lead to the ill absorption of fat and therefore chronic diarrhea.

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are associated with intestinal ulcers that can cause chronic vomiting and bleeding.

Constipation

When you experience a reduced frequency of stools less than three times a week or often “hold it”, constipation can occur.

There are a lot of constipation triggers. Most chronic constipation patients have no constipation disorder. Treatment involves lifestyle changes, diet and fluid consumption, and medication if necessary.

Chronic Lower Abdominal Stomach Symptoms

Like with upper abdominal symptoms, lower abdominal pain doesn't necessarily lead to intestinal problems, because pain can radiate. There are, however, many gastrointestinal conditions that can lead to intestinal symptoms, including lower abdominal pain.

Celiac Disease

Gluten cannot be consumed by people with celiac disease since it affects the small intestine. This is a condition that a healthcare provider has to treat, and it is often erroneously diagnosed as other gastrointestinal disorders.

Diverticular Disease

Diverticulitis is a diverticular inflammation of protrusions of the intestines in the walls. When such bags form, it is known as diverticulosis. Many diverticulosis patients may never develop symptoms. Diverticulitis, on the other hand, causes sharp pains, usually associated with fever, in the lower-left abdomen. Talk to your gastroenterologist in Edmond, OK as soon as possible if you suspect diverticulitis. Diverticulitis may cause life-threatening complications if left untreated.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

This is a term used to describe two distinct disorders: ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. The two conditions are chronic and require lifelong supervision and care.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Individuals with this very severe gastrointestinal condition suffer recurring abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation or both.

Contact Digestive Disease Specialists for a gastroenterologist in Edmond, OK.

Disclaimer: This blog content does not offer a doctor's advice and creates no relationship between any patient and care provider.