Dyspepsia, also known as indigestion, is a term used to describe one or more symptoms including a feeling of fullness during a meal, uncomfortable fullness after a meal, and burning or pain in the upper abdomen.

This digestive condition is common in adults and can occur once in a while or as often as every day.

Dyspepsia Causes

Dyspepsia can be caused by a condition in the digestive tract such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer disease, cancer, or abnormality of the pancreas or bile ducts. If the condition improves or resolves, the symptoms of indigestion usually improve.

Sometimes a person has indigestion for which a cause cannot be found. This type of indigestion, called functional dyspepsia, is thought to occur in the area where the stomach meets the small intestine. The indigestion may be related to abnormal motility—the squeezing or relaxing action—of the stomach muscle as it receives, digests, and moves food into the small intestine.

Symptoms of Dyspepsia

Most people with indigestion experience more than one of the following symptoms:

* Fullness during a meal. The person feels overly full soon after the meal starts and cannot finish the meal.

* Bothersome fullness after a meal. The person feels overly full after a meal—it may feel like the food is staying in the stomach too long.

* Epigastric pain. The epigastric area is between the lower end of the chest bone and the navel. The person may experience epigastric pain ranging from mild to severe.

* Epigastric burning. The person feels an unpleasant sensation of heat in the epigastric area.

Other, less frequent symptoms that may occur with indigestion are nausea and bloating—an unpleasant tightness in the stomach. Nausea and bloating could be due to causes other than indigestion.

Sometimes the term dyspepsia is used to describe the symptom of heartburn, but these are two different conditions. Heartburn is a painful, burning feeling in the chest that radiates toward the neck or back. Heartburn is caused by stomach acid rising into the esophagus and may be a symptom of GERD. A person can have symptoms of both indigestion and heartburn.

Diagnosis

To diagnose indigestion, the doctor asks about the person’s current symptoms and medical history and performs a physical examination. The doctor may order x rays of the stomach and small intestine.

The doctor may perform blood, breath, or stool tests if the type of bacteria that causes peptic ulcer disease is suspected as the cause of indigestion.

The doctor may perform an upper endoscopy. After giving a sedative to help the person become drowsy, the doctor passes an endoscope—a long, thin tube that has a light and small camera on the end—through the mouth and gently guides it down the esophagus into the stomach. The doctor can look at the esophagus and stomach with the endoscope to check for any abnormalities. The doctor may perform biopsies—removing small pieces of tissue for examination with a microscope—to look for possible damage from GERD or an infection.

Because indigestion can be a sign of a more serious condition, people should see a doctor right away if they experience

* frequent vomiting
* blood in vomit
* weight loss or loss of appetite
* black tarry stools
* difficult or painful swallowing
* abdominal pain in a nonepigastric area
* indigestion accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, or pain that radiates to the jaw, neck, or arm
* symptoms that persist for more than 2 weeks

Treatment of Dyspepsia

Some people may experience relief from symptoms of indigestion by

* eating several small, low-fat meals throughout the day at a slow pace
* refraining from smoking
* abstaining from consuming coffee, carbonated beverages, and alcohol
* stopping use of medications that may irritate the stomach lining—such as aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs
* getting enough rest
* finding ways to decrease emotional and physical stress, such as relaxation therapy or yoga

The doctor may recommend over-the-counter antacids or medications that reduce acid production or help the stomach move food more quickly into the small intestine. Many of these medications can be purchased without a prescription. Nonprescription medications should only be used at the dose and for the length of time recommended on the label unless advised differently by a doctor. Informing the doctor when starting a new medication is important.

Antacids, such as Alka-Seltzer, Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids, and Riopan, are usually the first drugs recommended to relieve symptoms of indigestion. Many brands on the market use different combinations of three basic salts—magnesium, calcium, and aluminum—with hydroxide or bicarbonate ions to neutralize the acid in the stomach. Antacids, however, can have side effects. Magnesium salt can lead to diarrhea, and aluminum salt may cause constipation. Aluminum and magnesium salts are often combined in a single product to balance these effects.

Calcium carbonate antacids, such as Tums, Titralac, and Alka-2, can also be a supplemental source of calcium, though they may cause constipation.

H2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) include ranitidine (Zantac), cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), and nizatidine (Axid) and are available both by prescription and over-the-counter. H2RAs treat symptoms of indigestion by reducing stomach acid. They work longer than but not as quickly as antacids. Side effects of H2RAs may include headache, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, and unusual bleeding or bruising.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) include omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid), lansoprazole (Prevacid), pantoprazole (Protonix), rabeprazole (Aciphex), and esomeprazole (Nexium) and are available by prescription. Prilosec is also available in over-the-counter strength. PPIs, which are stronger than H2RAs, also treat indigestion symptoms by reducing stomach acid. PPIs are most effective in treating symptoms of indigestion in people who also have GERD. Side effects of PPIs may include back pain, aching, cough, headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, gas, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea.

Prokinetics such as metoclopramide (Reglan) may be helpful for people who have a problem with the stomach emptying too slowly. Metoclopramide also improves muscle action in the digestive tract. Prokinetics have frequent side effects that limit their usefulness, including fatigue, sleepiness, depression, anxiety, and involuntary muscle spasms or movements.

If testing shows the type of bacteria that causes peptic ulcer disease, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat the condition.

Suggested Readings:

• Common Stomach Diseases
• Peptic Ulcers
• Common Digestive System Diseases

View List of Digestive Diseases Topics.

Source: Indigestion. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/indigestion/index.htm. Accessed June 17, 2010.

Page Last Revised: December 4, 2010

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Abdominal adhesions are bands of tissue that form between abdominal tissues and organs. Normally, internal tissues and organs have slippery surfaces, which allow them to shift easily as the body moves. Adhesions cause tissues and organs to stick together.

Although most adhesions cause no symptoms or problems, others cause chronic abdominal or pelvic pain. Adhesions are also a major cause of intestinal obstruction and female infertility.

Causes

Abdominal surgery is the most frequent cause of abdominal adhesions. Almost everyone who undergoes abdominal surgery develops adhesions; however, the risk is greater after operations on the lower abdomen and pelvis, including bowel and gynecological surgeries. Adhesions can become larger and tighter as time passes, causing problems years after surgery.

Surgery-induced causes of abdominal adhesions include

* tissue incisions, especially those involving internal organs
* the handling of internal organs
* the drying out of internal organs and tissues
* contact of internal tissues with foreign materials, such as gauze, surgical gloves, and stitches
* blood or blood clots that were not rinsed out during surgery

A less common cause of abdominal adhesions is inflammation from sources not related to surgery, including

* appendicitis—in particular, appendix rupture
* radiation treatment for cancer
* gynecological infections
* abdominal infections

Rarely, the condition forms without apparent cause.

Symptoms

Although most abdominal adhesions go unnoticed, the most common symptom is chronic abdominal or pelvic pain. The pain often mimics that of other conditions, including appendicitis, endometriosis, and diverticulitis.

When intestinal obstruction occurs, it can cause other symptoms, such as:

* severe abdominal pain or cramping
* vomiting
* bloating
* loud bowel sounds
* swelling of the abdomen
* inability to pass gas
* constipation

A person with these symptoms should seek medical attention immediately.

Diagnosis

No tests are available to diagnose this digestive disorder, and adhesions cannot be seen through imaging techniques such as x rays or ultrasound. Most adhesions are found during exploratory surgery. An intestinal obstruction, however, can be seen through abdominal x rays, barium contrast studies—also called a lower GI series—and computerized tomography.

Treatment Options

Treatment for abdominal adhesions is usually not necessary, as most do not cause problems. Surgery is currently the only way to break adhesions that cause pain, intestinal obstruction, or fertility problems. More surgery, however, carries the risk of additional adhesions and is avoided when possible.

A complete intestinal obstruction usually requires immediate surgery. A partial obstruction can sometimes be relieved with a liquid or low-residue diet. A low-residue diet is high in dairy products, low in fiber, and more easily broken down into smaller particles by the digestive system.

Suggested Readings:

• Common Digestive System Diseases
• Common Stomach Diseases or Disorders
• Constipation
• Appendicitis

View all Digestive Diseases Topics

Information courtesy of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). NIH Publication No. 09–5037 January 2009.

Page Last Revised: December 4, 2010

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Indigestion, also called dyspepsia, is the term used to describe one or more symptoms including burning or pain in the area of the upper abdomen, feeling of fullness during a meal, and uncomfortable fullness after a meal. In some people, the condition can occur once in a while. While in others, indigestion may occur as often as every day.

There are many indigestion causes including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcers, cancer, or abnormality of the pancreas or bile ducts. If the condition improves or resolves, indigestion symptoms usually improve.

Sometimes, the cause of indigestion cannot be found. This indigestion type is called functional dyspepsia, which is thought to occur in the area where the stomach meets with the small intestine. The indigestion may be related to abnormal motility—the squeezing or relaxing action—of the stomach muscle as it receives, digests, and moves food into the small intestine.

Indigestion Symptoms

People with dyspepsia or indigestion usually have more than one of the following symptoms:

 Fullness during a meal. The person feels overly full soon after the meal starts and cannot finish the meal.

 Bothersome fullness after a meal. The person feels overly full after a meal—it may feel like the food is staying in the stomach too long.

 Epigastric pain. The epigastric area is between the lower end of the chest bone and the navel. The person may experience epigastric pain ranging from mild to severe.

 Epigastric burning. The person feels an unpleasant sensation of heat in the epigastric area.

Some rare symptoms of the condition include nausea and bloating—the sensation of unpleasant tightness in the stomach. However, nausea and bloating may be caused by digestive problems other than indigestion.

Indigestion Treatment

In some people, making some lifestyle changes and decreasing stress may help relieve the symptoms of indigestion. Lifestyle changes may include eating several small; low fat meals throughout the day at a slow pace; quitting smoking; avoiding coffee, carbonated drinks, and alcohol; and stopping medications that may irritate the lining of the stomach, such as aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs.

Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter antacids or medications, which help reduce acid production in the stomach. Medicines that help the stomach move food more quickly into the small intestine may also help.

Some medications that your doctor might prescribe may include antacids, H2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs), proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), prokinetics, or antibiotics to treat the symptoms of indigestion.

Suggested Readings:

• Common Stomach Diseases
• Peptic Ulcers
• Common Digestive System Diseases

View List of Digestive Diseases Topics.

Source:
Indigestion (November 2008). NIH Publication No. 09–4549. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Accessed: November 25, 2009

Page Last Revised: December 4, 2010

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Peptic ulcers are sores that form in the inner lining of the stomach and sometimes in the duodenum. The duodenum is the first part of the small intestine. Peptic ulcer names may be different depending on the digestive tract involved. When it occurs in the stomach, it is called gastric ulcer. A peptic ulcer occurring in the duodenum is called duodenal ulcer.

Many people have peptic ulcer. It can occur both in the stomach and duodenum. Sometimes, you can have more than one ulcer in your lifetime.

Peptic Ulcer Causes

Peptic ulcer is commonly caused by the bacteria called H. pylori. Experts believe that H. pylori may be spread through eating and drinking contaminated food and water. Also, the bacteria may be spread through kissing.

The second leading cause of peptic ulcer is long-term use of pain-reliever drugs, called NSAIDs. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC), ulcers caused by NSAIDs are more often found in people who are age 60 or older; are female; have taken NSAIDs for a long time; and have had ulcer before.

Contrary to the notion, stress and eating spicy foods do not cause peptic ulcers. However, they can make ulcers worse and can affect healing.

Peptic Ulcer Symptoms

Peptic ulcer symptoms may include weight loss, poor appetite, bloating, burping, vomiting, and feeling sick to your stomach. However, the most common symptom of peptic ulcer is dull or burning pain in the stomach. The pain often starts between meals or during the night, briefly stops if you eat or take antacids, lasts for minutes to hours, comes and goes for several days or weeks.

Peptic Ulcers Treatment

Peptic ulcer treatment may include medicines to reduce stomach acid and protect the lining of your stomach and duodenum; antibiotics to kill the bacteria H. pylori; and medicines to coat the ulcer and protect them from stomach acid.

If NSAIDs use is the primary cause of peptic ulcer, your doctor may tell you to stop taking them or reduce how much of the NSAID you take. Your doctor may also prescribe an alternative pain medication that does not cause peptic ulcer.

Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. Smoking and alcohol can make slow healing of ulcers and can make them worse.

Suggested Readings:

• Common Digestive System Diseases
• Common Stomach Diseases or Disorders
• Dyspepsia

View all Digestive Diseases Topics

Source:
What I need to know about Peptic Ulcers (September 2009). NIH Publication No. 09–5042. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse . Accessed: November 25, 2009

Page Last Revised: December 4, 2010

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Diarrhea occurs when a person has a change in bowel movements, passing unusually loose and watery stools. For most cases, the condition usually goes away without special medical treatment. However, diarrhea can be potentially life-threatening if it leads to dehydration.

Causes

Diarrhea can be caused by microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Other causes of diarrhea include certain medications, certain food like milk, or health problems affecting the stomach or the intestines.

Normally, stool has a semi-solid consistency. The stool is the one that’s left when most of food molecules including vitamins and minerals and water, needed by the body, are absorbed. As stool passes through the large intestine, some of its water content is absorbed making stool a little bit solid. However, when water is not absorbed, the stool can become loose and watery.

Symptoms of Diarrhea

People with diarrhea often have unusual frequent bowel movements, which results in passing more than a quart of watery stool per day. It is a common condition, which usually lasts a day or two. Sometimes, the condition can last for months or years depending on the cause.

Other symptoms of diarrhea may include cramping in the abdomen, frequent urge or need to have a bowel movement, uncomfortable feeling in the anus, and sometimes fever or chills.

Sometimes severe diarrhea can lead to dehydration where water and important body salts are lost. In dehydration, the body cannot work properly, which can make a person become or feeling tired. Dehydration is a serious complication of diarrhea, especially in babies, children, and older people.

Symptoms of Dehydration

Symptoms of dehydration include being thirsty, urinating less often than usual, having dark-colored urine, having dry skin, feeling tired or dizzy, and fainting. In more severe cases, diarrhea may cause kidney failure where the kidneys stop to function.

It may be difficult to know when babies are experiencing dehydration. Symptoms of dehydration in babies may include having dry mouth and tongue, crying without tears, having no wet diapers for 3 hours or more, having a high fever, and being unusually sleepy or drowsy. These warning signs of diarrhea that needs special medical attention.

Diarrhea symptoms may be signs of other problems in the digestive tract as well.

Treatments

Treatment of diarrhea usually involves replacing the lost fluids. However, severe diarrhea cases may need hospitalization. In some cases, treating the cause can make diarrhea go away. For example, diarrhea caused by bacteria can be effectively treated with antibiotics.

Suggested Readings:

• Common Digestive System Diseases
• Common Stomach Diseases or Disorders

View all Digestive Diseases Topics

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