Having a sensitive stomach or other stomach conditions can make life quite difficult and painful. One needs to understand the condition and its symptoms to recognize it and seek the right medical assistance at the right time. Here are a few common stomach conditions that affect people across the globe.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
A chronic and long-lasting stomach condition, GERD affects the person’s entire digestive system. It can cause severe throat and mouth swelling, vomiting, and even heartburn. If one is having acid reflux for more than twice a week, there is a chance that they could be suffering from GERD. There are a lot of over-the-counter medications to treat GERD, but it’s best to consult a doctor in case of severe symptoms. If left untreated, GERD can cause various other severe complications.
Gastritis
Gastritis is another stomach condition where the lining of the stomach is inflamed due to stress, anxiety, or reflux of bile from the small intestine. There are two types of gastritis, acute and chronic. Acute may occur unexpectedly, whereas chronic develops slowly over a period of time. Common symptoms are nausea, vomiting, indigestion, bloating, and in worse cases, excreting black stool caused by the bleeding in the stomach. To treat gastritis, it is best to avoid foods and beverages that trigger the symptoms.
Peptic ulcer
Peptic ulcers are caused due to the breaking down of the lining of the stomach. Almost all peptic ulcers are located in the inner layer of the stomach lining, but at times, there are ulcers that go through the entire stomach lining leading to perforations. Some common symptoms of peptic ulcers include pain in the abdomen, vomiting, weight loss, fatigue, and chest pain. In case there is a perforation, the person will require immediate medical attention.
Viral gastroenteritis
When a virus causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines, it is known as viral gastroenteritis. It leads to dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea, which can severely affect young children and elders. Abdominal cramping, headache, and mild fever are some common symptoms of viral gastroenteritis.
Hiatal hernia
The gap that separates the chest from the abdomen is called the diaphragm. This skeletal muscle helps in the breathing process. At times, a part of the stomach slides through this gap and the hiatus (opening), cutting off the blood supply to the stomach. The symptoms of the hiatal hernia include belching, pain, bloating and bitter taste in the mouth. There is no particular cause of this stomach condition, but experts believe it can be a result of injury or strain in the area. While the course of treatment requires medication for pain and heartburn, severe cases may need medical attention and surgery.
