Gastric complaints are part of the spectrum of gastrointestinal diseases. This includes all clinical pictures that affect the digestive tract, which includes the stomach.
Stomach diseases often manifest themselves in the form of pain in the abdomen, particularly in the upper abdomen, as this is where the stomach is located. For affected patients, the discomfort is unpleasant and often painful.
If you have stomach complaints that do not go away or recur regularly, a visit to the doctor is helpful. A specialist in gastroenterology is responsible for diseases of the stomach.
Gastroenterology (ancient Greek: gastēr = stomach, énteron = intestine) is part of internal medicine. It includes the region of the gastrointestinal tract, the liver and the pancreas.
Stomach pain is usually harmless, but sometimes it indicates a serious illness @ ipopba /AdobeStockThe stomach can produce different and varied symptoms that are rather unspecific in nature. Frequently, there are symptoms that are not due to any underlying illness, such as a feeling of fullness after a substantial meal.
- Ulcerative colitis (chronic inflammation of the colon)
- Inflammation of the stomach lining (acute gastritis, chronic gastritis)
- Ulcer (benign or cancerous)
- Inflammation of the oesophagus
- Crohn's disease (chronic inflammation in the intestine)
- Irritable stomach (digestive disorder in the upper abdomen)
If youregularly experiencenausea, fatigue, abdominal cramps, vomiting or diarrhea, it is advisable to consult an expert for clarification and confirmation.
Due to the many different possibilities for stomach diseases, it is not possible to clearly assign causes.
Inflammation of the mucous membrane has a
different background to
gastroenteritis.
Heartburn (burning stomach) is also not the same as an irritable stomach, which is usually caused by
impaired digestion.
Pathogens are often responsible, including the
Helicobacter pylori bacterium in the case of inflammation of the mucous membranes.
While
many diseases are
curable, there are inflammatory processes that are the result of
chronic diseases with no known cause. They are
not curable.
The risk factors include
- A genetic predisposition
- An impaired immune system
- An advanced age
- Side effects from medication
Some lifestyle aspects are also known to be problematic.
These include
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- Smoking and
- Frequent consumption of heavily smoked and grilled foods and foods with a high salt content
Alcohol and cigarettes promote stomach diseases @ exclusive-design /AdobeStock
The examination of a stomach disorder depends on the symptoms. Your doctor will first ask you about the nature and frequency of your symptoms and, if necessary, carry out a physical examination.
For a precise diagnosis, there are various options available, such as imaging procedures. These provide information about the processes inside the stomach.
Typical examination options are
If necessary, your doctor will take a tissue sample and arrange for laboratory tests.
A gastroscopy gives your doctor the opportunity to detect abnormal processes, including inflammation and ulcers. If abdominal pain is unclear, it is often useful to combine this with an X-ray of the abdominal cavity.
In an acute emergency situation, CT and MRI provide reliable information and offer the necessary clues for further action.
The treatment of your stomach complaints depends primarily on the causes and the diagnosed disease:
In the case of harmless backgrounds, stomach-protecting medication is often sufficient. It is possible that your doctor will not prescribe medication, as is the case with inflammation of the mucous membrane, which often heals on its own.
If you have type A gastritis, which is chronic and autoimmune in nature, injections of vitamin B12 will help.
If bacteria are the cause of an inflammatory process, your doctor may use an antibiotic.
Targeted elimination of the cause (eradication therapy) is also one of the more common treatments.
Drug treatment to
reduce stomach acid is also an option.
In the case of gastritis, you should
minimize harmful influences (such as alcohol) in order to relieve your stomach.
In the case of a malignant tumor
(stomach cancer),
surgery is the most important treatment. The aim is to completely remove the tumor in order to achieve a permanent cure.
The course of gastric diseases depends on the type of disease. A gastrointestinal infection, a benign gastric ulcer or a non-chronic form of gastritis heal quickly and completely.
Chronic conditions that do not disappear completely are much less severe thanks to targeted treatment tailored to your individual situation.
The aim here is to alleviate flare-ups and reduce the associated symptoms. How well a method helps also depends on your medical history and cannot be answered in general terms.
In the case of stomach cancer, the prognosis is more favorable the earlier the doctor detects the disease. If the disease cannot be treated, your doctor will ensure that you have a high quality of life for as long as possible.
There are many complaints relating to the stomach and digestive system. Most of them are of a temporary nature and arise, for example, as part of an infection or after eating too much.
Do symptoms persist, is there lasting pain or are you suffering from unexplained signs of illness? Then a
specialist in gastroenterology is your point of contact.
