Stomach Problems

Stomach problems often originate in the digestive tract, although they can be due to disorders of the circulatory system, urinary tract, reproductive system, respiratory system, nervous system, or body wall.

Stomach problems may be caused by conditions of the digestive tract including:

• Bacterial, parasitic or viral infection of the gastrointestinal tract

• Celiac disease (severe sensitivity to gluten from wheat and other grains that causes intestinal damage)

• Diverticulitis (inflammation of an abnormal pocket in the colon)

• Food intolerance such as lactose intolerance (inability to digest lactose, the sugar in dairy products)

• Gallbladder disease or stones

• Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining)

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

• Inflammatory bowel disease (includes Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis)

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS; digestive discomfort that does not cause intestinal damage or serious disease)

• Liver disease, including hepatitis (inflammation of the liver)

• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)

• Ulcers of the stomach or duodenum (first section of the small intestine)

Stomach problems can also be caused by conditions involving other body systems including:

• Abdominal or hiatal hernia (weakening in the abdominal wall or diaphragm, through which internal organs can pass)

• Cancer of an abdominal or pelvic organ

• Endometriosis (condition where tissues resembling the uterine lining grow in other areas of the body)

• Kidney stones

• Menstrual cramps

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID; infection of a woman’s reproductive organs)

• Pleurisy (inflammation of the lining around the lungs)

• Pneumonia

• Shingles (painful, blistering rash that results from a reactivation of the varicella-zoster, or chickenpox, virus)

• Urinary tract infection

In some cases, stomach problems may be a symptom of a serious or life-threatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. These include:

• Abdominal abscess

• Abdominal, pelvic or testicular trauma

• Aneurysm of the abdominal aorta (life-threatening bulging and weakening of the wall of the abdominal aorta that can burst and cause severe hemorrhage)

• Appendicitis

• Bowel obstruction or perforation

• Chemical or heavy metal poisoning

• Colonic volvulus (twisting of the colon) or intussusception (telescoping of the intestines into themselves)

• Ectopic pregnancy (life-threatening pregnancy growing outside the uterus)

• Intestinal ischemia (loss of blood supply to the intestines leading to death of intestinal tissue)

• Myocardial infarction (heart attack)

• Peritonitis (infection of the lining that surrounds the abdomen)

• Torsion of an ovary or a testicle (twisting of an ovary or spermatic cord)

To diagnose your condition, your doctor or licensed health care practitioner will ask you several questions related to your stomach problems including:

• How long have you had stomach problems?
• How would you describe your problems?
• Does anything make them go away or get worse?
• Have you had stomach problems like this before?
• Do you have any other symptoms?
• What medications are you taking?
• Is there any possibility you are pregnant?

Because stomach problems can be due to serious diseases, failure to seek treatment can result in serious complications and permanent damage. Once the underlying cause is diagnosed, it is important for you to follow the treatment plan that you and your health care professional design specifically for you to reduce the risk of potential complications including:

• Bowel infarction (severe injury to an area of the bowel due to decreased blood supply)
• Infertility
• Internal hemorrhage
• Intestinal obstruction and rupture of the intestinal wall
• Organ failure or dysfunction
• Ruptured appendix
• Spread of cancer
• Spread of infection

Stomach problems may accompany other symptoms, which vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition. Stomach problems are often related to the digestive system, but may also be related to other body systems.

Stomach problems may accompany other symptoms affecting the digestive system including:

• Abdominal pain or cramping
• Abdominal swelling, distension or bloating
• Belching
• Bloody stool (blood may be red, black, or tarry in texture)
• Changes in bowel movements
• Constipation
• Cramping
• Diarrhea
• Gas
• Indigestion
• Nausea with or without vomiting
• Urgent need to pass stool

Stomach problems may accompany symptoms related to other body systems including:

• Cough
• Enlarged liver and glands such as the spleen and lymph nodes
• Fever
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Pain or burning with urination
• Pain, numbness or tingling
• Palpable mass in the abdomen or pelvic area
• Rash
• Unexplained weight loss

In some cases, stomach problems may be a symptom of a life-threatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these life-threatening symptoms including:

• Bleeding while pregnant

• Change in level of consciousness or alertness such as passing out or unresponsiveness

• Chest pain, chest tightness, chest pressure, or palpitations

• High fever (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit)

• Inability to have bowel movements, especially if accompanied by vomiting

• Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)

• Respiratory or breathing problems such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, labored breathing, wheezing, not breathing, or choking

• Rigidity of the abdomen

• Seizure

• Severe abdominal pain or sharp abdominal pain that comes on suddenly

• Trauma to the abdomen, pelvis or testicles

• Vomiting blood, rectal bleeding, or bloody stool