Your stomach is an important part of your gastrointestinal system, which processes food and delivers nutrition into your bloodstream for the body's cells, tissues and organs. The stomach briefly stores the food that you eat before mixing it with digestive fluids and slowly sending it to the small intestine. The stomach can develop many problems; most of which are relatively minor. Seek medical advice for any change in your gastric (stomach) health.
Stomach Pain
Stomach pain can occur due to many causes. A generalized pain (hurting all over the stomach) may indicate gastritis, an inflammation of the lining of the stomach. This may happen if you have pernicious anemia, unhealthy bacteria in your stomach, problems with bile or other health conditions. It can also happen due to the things you put into your stomach, such as irritating drugs or a large volume of alcohol. Pain in one specific location may indicate a gastric ulcer or stomach cancer. Cramping pain can be due to a virus, food poisoning, food intolerance or emotional upset. Pain should always be considered a warning sign and severe or continued pain must be evaluated by a health care practitioner.
Nausea
Nausea is the feeling of being sick in your stomach. It often precedes vomiting. Nausea may occur due to food poisoning, overeating, stomach cancer, problems with equilibrium or emotional tension. It may also be due to hormonal changes, such as the normal changes associated with early pregnancy. Drugs such as cancer treatments can also cause nausea.
Vomiting
Vomiting is the process of expelling your stomach contents from your mouth. This unpleasant experience may be slightly painful due to cramping or it may make you feel better if you have been nauseated for a while. Vomiting may be due to a problem with excessive stomach acid, a virus, an emotional upset, food poisoning, equilibrium problems, medications, pregnancy-related morning sickness and migraine headaches. Other causes include an intestinal virus, bacteria or obstruction. The Mayo Clinic explains that vomiting can also be a sign of stomach cancer; this vomiting may or may not be bloody. Another possible reason for bloody vomit is a gastric ulcer. Blood in vomit may look red or it may resemble used coffee grounds. Blood is always a warning sign, warranting a visit to the doctor. Go to the emergency room is you lose a lot of blood.
Indigestion
Indigestion, often called an upset stomach, gives you the feeling that you are full too quickly after eating. It is an uncomfortable, bloating feeling that may last long after you complete your meal. It may be accompanied by pain and a burning sensation in your stomach area. Indigestion often indicates that you have eaten too much or eaten the wrong foods, such as spicy, greasy, caffeinated or carbonated foods. The Cleveland Clinic explains that indigestion may be the product of eating too fast or eating while upset. It may also happen due to stomach cancer, gallstones, pancreas problems or smoking.
Heartburn
Heartburn is a burning feeling that occurs when stomach contents back up into your esophagus. It can be worsened by bending at the waist or wearing clothes that are tight around the abdomen. Heartburn normally occurs after eating. Some people experience it when they go to bed at night. It occurs due to a problem with the opening between the esophagus and stomach, spicy foods, alcohol or coffee. While usually more annoying than harmful, continued heartburn can damage the lining of the esophagus.
