What Are Stomach Diseases?
What Are Stomach Diseases?Stomach diseases are infections or disorders that affect the process of digestion. The stomach is an organ that temporarily stores food, breaks it down, and passes it to the small intestine. Stomach diseases may affect the lining, cells, muscles, and nerves in the stomach.
The causes of stomach diseases may vary and can develop from inflammation, infection, illness, or an underlying condition. Some of the most common signs and symptoms of stomach disease include stomach pain, nausea, discomfort, vomiting, and changes in bowel habits, which may be short-term. Chronic or ongoing stomach problems that affect the quality of life and digestive function may improve with proper medical treatment.
Some stomach diseases are serious, such as stomach or gastric cancer, while other stomach problems are relatively mild. Certain factors can influence the symptoms and severity of a stomach disease, including diet, environment, emotional stress, and other health conditions.
For chronic stomach problems, seeing your healthcare provider for a medical evaluation and to get care is important. Severe stomach issues, accompanied by bleeding, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and fever may require immediate medical attention. A digestive care specialist or gastroenterologist can help to manage and treat stomach diseases and disorders effectively.
What We Treat
What We TreatNewYork-Presbyterian offers many treatments for stomach diseases and their associated symptoms. Our digestive care specialists and gastroenterologists provide comprehensive diagnosis and expert care for various types of stomach diseases and common stomach problems.
Types of stomach diseases and disorders treated include:
- Peptic ulcer disease are sores in the inner lining of the stomach or upper portion of the small intestine that are caused by damage to the lining by stomach acid. Ulcers may cause pain, burning, or discomfort in the area between the breastbone and your belly button. Ulcers that form in the stomach lining are called gastric ulcers. Those that form below the stomach are called duodenal ulcers.
- Helicobacter pylori bacteria, or H. pyori, is a bacterial infection that is the most common cause of peptic ulcers. The bacteria may cause inflammation in the stomach and intestinal lining, which is often treated with antibiotics.
- Bleeding in the digestive tract, or gastointestinal (GI) bleeding, is a symptom of certain stomach diseases, and may be present in the stool or vomit.
- Gastritis, or inflammation of the stomach lining, is a common condition that may be caused by infection, medication, alcohol use, and other irritants. It may result in stomach discomfort, nausea, and/or vomiting.
- Gastroparesis is a condition in which the stomach empties more slowly than usual and may be caused by damage to stomach nerves and muscles, or by diabetes. Symptoms may include feelings of fullness, bloating, stomach pain, nausea and/or vomiting, and are often treated with medication or changes to your diet.
- Stomach infection, also known as gastroenteritis, or the “stomach flu,” is caused by a virus, bacteria, or parasite—and is not the same as influenza. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, cramps, and fever.
- Functional dyspepsia, or non-ulcer dyspepsia, occurs when stomach pain, an upset stomach, or indigestion has no apparent cause and may be a result of muscle or nerve disfunction. Diagnostic tests and treatment by a digestive care specialist may help to ease symptoms.
Signs & Symptoms of Stomach Diseases
SymptomsThere are several signs and symptoms of stomach diseases, and while some symptoms may resolve on their own, others may require medical treatment and proper care.
Stomach problems can range from mild and moderate to severe and debilitating. It is important to know that certain stomach disease symptoms, such as bleeding, may be serious or even life-threatening and require immediate medical care.
Common signs and symptoms of stomach diseases include:
- Abdominal cramping
- Abdominal pain
- Blood in stool, pus, or vomit
- Burning sensation
- Bloating or tight, full stomach
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Early satiety (feeling full at the start of mealtime)
- Stomach discomfort
- Stomach pain
- Upset stomach
- Nausea/vomiting
Comprehensive Diagnostic Testing of Your Stomach Problems
DiagnosisMany different disorders can cause stomach pain, nausea, and other types of discomfort. From imaging procedures to endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound, and advanced examinations such as confocal laser endomicroscopy, NewYork-Presbyterian offers a full range of testing for common stomach problems to help determine what is causing your symptoms.
The Latest Treatments for Stomach Disorders
TreatmentWith an accurate diagnosis in hand, we will tailor a plan of treatment for your stomach issues that meets your needs. If you can benefit from medication, we’ll choose those known to be the most effective against your disease. A health specialist may also recommend lifestyle modifications such as changes in diet, exercise, sleep patterns, and stress management.
If surgery is in order, we aim to use minimally invasive approaches whenever we can, which are associated with less pain after surgery and a quicker recovery. If standard treatments are not effective, you may have an opportunity to participate in a clinical trial of an innovative and promising therapy.
This content has been reviewed by the following medical editors.
Get Care from Our Team of Stomach Disease Specialists
At NewYork-Presbyterian, our stomach care teams include gastroenterologists, interventional endoscopists, surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, radiologists, nurses, registered dietitians, and others with experience caring for people with stomach cancer and other stomach disorders. No matter what your diagnosis, we have the experts you need—in one medical center—to provide high-quality, personalized care.
Understand the causes and common symptoms of stomach diseases and disorders to find the right treatment approach with the help of a highly experienced NewYork-Presbyterian doctor.