Stomach Disorders include any health complaints or medical conditions that originate in or afflict the Stomach. The Stomach consists of powerful muscles whose function is to churn and mix the food, while glands in the walls of the stomach secrete acids and enzymes which chemically break down the food into very small particles and molecules, in order that these can be processed in the later stages of digestion. The stomach is absolutely essential to digestion, and any loss of function of can result in dire health consequences.

The following conditions are included within stomach disorders:

Dumping Syndrome
Dumping Syndrome (also called Rapid Gastric Emptying) is a term that is used to describe the symptoms which may develop in people who have had surgery to remove all or part of their stomach, or people who have had part or most of their stomach bypassed to help lose weight.

Dumping Syndrome occurs when the undigested and unprocessed contents of the stomach are transported or “dumped” into the small intestine too soon for it to be able to properly deal with the material. Ranging from mild to severe, the symptoms of Dumping Syndrome appear within a few hours of eating and include abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, lightheadedness, belching, bloating, fatigue, and even heart palpitations and increased heart rate.

Gastritis
Gastritis is a term used to describe a group of related medical conditions characterized by inflammation of the stomach lining, which may be caused by bacterial infection, stomach ulcers, traumatic injury, the use or overuse of certain medications such as pain relievers, and other causes. The condition may have a sudden onset (Acute Gastritis), or it may develop slowly over a period of time (Chronic Gastritis).

The main symptoms of Gastritis include a burning pain in the upper abdomen, and sometimes bloating, belching, nausea, and/or vomiting. Depending on the cause of the condition, dietary and life style changes may be sufficient to treat the condition. If not, otherwise a range of medications such as antacids and acid blockers can help.

Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis is a condition in which stomach muscles don’t function properly which prevents the stomach from fully emptying its contents into the small intestine. This condition can interfere with digestion, play havoc with blood sugar levels, cause problems with nutrition, and also cause nausea, vomiting, heartburn, abdominal pain, and unintentional weight loss.

Gastroparesis is currently incurable, however the impact of the condition can be greatly reduced with a range of treatments. These include dietary and life style changes, medications that increase stomach contractions, and also any treatments required for other conditions caused by the condition, such as Diabetes.

H. Pylori Infection
H. Pylori Infection occurs when conditions in the stomach or the first part of the small intestine allow the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) to increase in numbers well beyond the levels in which it is normally found. The increase in Helicobacter pylori numbers can cause inflammation of the lining of the stomach and even stomach ulcers, and may also contribute towards stomach cancers and other digestive system cancers (see Colon Cancer And Other Digestive Cancers for more details).

The main symptoms of H. Pylori Infection include abdominal pain or burning, loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, excessive burping, bloating, bloody vomit, and bloody or black tarry stools. Antibiotics are used to reduce H. pylori bacteria back to safe levels.

Nonulcer Stomach Pain
Nonulcer Stomach Pain (formerly called Nonulcer Dyspepsia) is a fairly common and sometimes long lasting (chronic) gnawing upper abdominal pain that isn’t caused by ulcers or other digestive problems. Nonulcer Stomach Pain is a disorder of the upper gastrointestinal system, which includes the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine (duodenum).

The symptoms of this condition are similar to those of peptic ulcers and include pain and discomfort in the upper abdomen, bloating, belching, nausea, and flatulence.

Peptic Ulcer
Peptic Ulcers are open sores on the lining of the esophagus, stomach or small intestine (duodenum). At one time doctors used to believe that Peptic Ulcers were caused by stress or eating too much spicy food, but they now know that the condition is instead caused by bacterial infection, the use or overuse of some medications, and the reflux of stomach acid back up into the esophagus.

The symptoms caused by Peptic Ulcers include pain and discomfort in the upper abdomen, bloating, belching, nausea, and flatulence, but may also include chest pain, unexpected weight loss, dark, tarry stools, and vomiting of black fluid. Peptic Ulcers are fairly common, and are usually treated with a range of medications that include antibiotics, acid blockers, and antacids.

Stomach Polyps
Stomach Polyps are small clumps of cells that form on the lining of the stomach. There are three main types of stomach polyps: Hyperplastic Stomach Polyps, Fundic Gland Stomach Polyps, and Adenomas.

Stomach Polyps are very rare and usually do not cause any symptoms or ill effects. As a result, doctors usually only discover them when testing for other conditions. In some rare cases, stomach polyps can develop into cancer.

Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome is a very rare and complex condition in which one or more tumors form in the pancreas or duodenum (the upper part of the small intestine). The tumors are called gastrinomas because they secrete large amounts of the hormone gastrin, which in turn causes excessive Stomach acid production. This excess acid can cause peptic ulcers.

The main symptoms of Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome include a burning, aching, gnawing discomfort in the upper abdomen, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, bleeding, and weight loss.

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A stomach ulcer – which is actually a peptic ulcer – is an open sore that develops on the inside lining of your stomach. Peptic ulcers can actually occur in a number of different locations. In the stomach, a peptic ulcer is known as a gastric ulcer, in the duodenum it is called a duodenal ulcer, and in the esophagus it is a esophageal ulcer.

Stomach ulcers are fairly common, affecting around 4 million Americans a year.

Causes of Stomach Ulcers

There was a time when people used to believe that they could get ulcers from living lives that were too stressful or that an ulcer was caused by something that they were eating. The truth of the matter is that most stomach ulcers and duodenal ulcers are caused not by not stress or diet but in fact a bacterial infection or some medications. Esophageal ulcers are normally related to the reflux of stomach acid

Research shows that 80% of gastric ulcers and 90% of duodenal ulcers are caused by infection with a corkscrew-shaped bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). H. pylori lives and multiplies within the mucous layer that covers and protects the tissues that line both the stomach and the small intestine.

It is quite often the case that H. pylori exists without causing any problems, however sometimes it can disrupt the mucous layer and inflame the lining of either the stomach or the duodenum, producing an ulcer

Other factors that play a role in the development of ulcers of the stomach and duodenal include smoking, caffeine ingestion, drinking alcohol to excess, emotional stress (which increases the pain of ulcers but does not cause them), and also the regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin.

Stomach Ulcer Symptoms

Some people have a stomach ulcer and not have any symptoms.

Usually when a person has an ulcer they will feel a gnawing or burning sensation in the abdomen between the navel and the breastbone. They will usually find that these sensations happen between meals or in the early hours of the morning. They may feel these sensations for a few minutes or it is possible that the sensations may last for a few hours.

Other symptoms of a peptic ulcer include belching, feeling tired and weak, nausea, loss of weight, and also poor appetite.

Complications

The most common complication that is experienced is gastrointestinal bleeding. This happens when the ulcer erodes one of the blood vessels and can be life-threatening.

Another extremely serious complication is perforation, or a hole in the gastro-intestinal wall. When this happens the content of the stomach or intestines spill into the abdominal cavity.

Individuals with these types of ulcers can experience complications that include: bleeding of the ulcer, perforation of the ulcer, a narrowing or obstruction at the end of the stomach, where the duodenum is attached, caused by swelling and scarring from the ulcer.

Diagnosis

There are several tests used to make the diagnosis including an upper GI, endoscopy, and blood, breath and stomach tissue tests.

Ulcers can be diagnosed by having an upper GI (gastrointestinal) series, which are x-rays of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. These x-rays are used to help pinpoint where the ulcer is located. The patient is asked to swallow a chalky liquid called barium in order for the ulcer to show up on the x-rays.

Another diagnostic test is called an endoscopy. This is where a small flexible instrument with a camera at the end is inserted through the mouth of the patient and into the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum in order for the doctor to view the entire upper GI tract.

Treatment

Treatment for a peptic ulcer may be a combination of medications and antibiotics and in rare cases,surgery.

Your doctor will determine the correct treatment for you depending upon the size and location of the ulcer. Other factors that will determine your treatment include your age and state of your overall health, your medical history, and your tolerance for medications, procedures and therapies.

You may be advised to make some lifestyle changes including avoiding or limiting any foods that are irritating to your symptoms, and if you smoke you will be advised to stop. Smoking has been shown to delay the healing of ulcers.

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