Common Problems
| Heartburn | Indigestion | Jaundice | Nausea and Vomiting | Regurgitation |
Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain is a painful sensation within or around the abdomen. When the patient has abdominal pain, he/she describes it as such. It may occur in the abdomen in general or in specific parts of the abdomen. For example, the passage of a gallstone may cause pain in the right upper abdomen, whereas the pain from diverticulitis may occur in the left lower abdomen. Pain in the midline of the abdomen may be from a peptic ulcer or pancreatitis. The pain of appendicitis often begins around the umbilicus but then descends to the right lower quadrant.
Anexoria
Anorexia is a condition in which a patient has lost his/her appetite. This usually is a sign that something is wrong with the digestive system, since the need for eating enough to maintain bodily function is something that is controlled by every cell in the body. There is a condition called anorexia nervosa for which there is no discernible physical reason for lack of appetite.
Bleeding
Bleeding into the gastrointestinal tract may be evidenced by the vomiting of blood or the passing of blood through the rectum. In the latter case, the stools may become dark, and this is called melena. The vomiting of blood or the passage of blood from the rectum, especially if it is bright red, requires an urgent visit to the emergency room or the doctor.
Diarrhea and Constipation
Diarrhea is the frequent passage of stool from the rectum. Usually the bowel movements are frequent and watery but may be fatty and greasy in this situation. They may also contain blood. The normal bowel habit of most people is to have one to three bowel movements a day, although some individuals will only have one or so bowel movements a week. The change in the bowel habit from one bowel movement a day to, for example, no bowel movement for two or three days is called constipation. Any change in bowel habit that persists, whether diarrhea or constipation, requires very careful evaluation.
Dysphagia (Difficulty swallowing)
Dysphagia is any holdup in the passage of ingestants from the mouth to the stomach. Dysphagia may be characterized by a sticking sensation at the level of the throat or in the upper midaspect of the chest called the sternum. Any sensation of a holdup in the passage of food should be evaluated by a specialist in this field. Pain upon swallowing requires an urgent visit to the doctor.
Heartburn
Heartburn is a burning sensation beneath the breast bone or sternum. This often is experienced upon lying down after a large meal. Heartburn is especially common after certain types of meals, especially those that are highly seasoned. It is a common complaint of patients who have a weakened lower esophageal sphincter or an anatomical condition called a hiatus hernia.
Indigestion
Indigestion is a term that is used to describe an uncomfortable feeling after eating. It may be heartburn, upper abdominal pain, or just a general feeling of discomfort.
Jaundice
The term jaundice or icterus is used when the skin or the whites of the eyes become yellow. This is a sign that there is a backing up of bile in the blood stream. If it is due to obstruction to the flow of bile, the urine may become dark and the stool light. It also may be associated with itching. Jaundice occurs when a stone or tumor blocks the bile duct. It also may occur when there is inflammation of the gallbladder, liver, or the pancreas.
Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting occur when the gastrointestinal tract is blocked or there is a disturbance in its propulsive function. The patient will feel sick to his/her stomach (nausea) or may actually vomit. Nausea is a sign that there is a disturbance in the gastrointestinal function that may be due to a viral infection, a viral or bacterial infection, and also possibly even the early signs of obstruction. Vomiting may also be due to infection or food poisoning of the gastrointestinal tract, but also is a very frequent sign of blockage of its lumen.
Regurgitation
Regurgitation is the upward movement of gastrointestinal secretions or ingestants from the esophagus or stomach into the mouth.
