Last time readers dropped by, they read about two of the most common digestive disorders. GERD and PUD wreak havoc on many Americans digestive systems, but with the help of experienced gastroenterologists, such symptoms can be eased or a total thing of the past. Let’s just back into our series of digestive disorders.

Last week:

In review, we discussed GERD and PUD. For a quick recap, GERD stands for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. The esophagus moves swallowed food down into the stomach. A ring of muscles, or the Lower Esophageal Sphincter, connects to the stomach and esophagus. In people with GERD, the LES, or Lower Esophageal Sphincter, is weak and allows stomach acid to leak back up into the esophagus.

Sounds painful right? It can be a little painful and very uncomfortable. The stomach acid rising up causes what many of us call heartburn.

This malfunction can cause troubling long-term effects to the esophagus. The lining of the esophagus is not meant to withstand such harsh liquid. Doctors report around twenty percent of Americans suffer from GERD.

Be sure to book an appointment if you have heartburn at least three times a week. You may have the opportunity to prevent serious damage if you seek medical attention promptly. If not, surgery may be required.

PUD stands for Peptic Ulcer Disease. PUD is when a person has an open sore in the lining of the stomach or upper part of the small intestine. This digestive disorders affects around fifteen million Americans.

Gastritis is the inflammation of the stomach lining- which sounds very uncomfortable, right? When comparing the two digestive disorders, they are pretty similar. For example PUD and Gastritis cause stomach pain, nausea, and have similar causes.

However, the most common cause of Peptic Ulcer Disease is a bacterial infection called H. pylori. In turn, this causes Gastritis. Be careful with ignoring stomach pain for too long. Ignoring a stomach ache that last a few days may cause long-term digestive health issues.

Gastroenteritis:

Gastroenteritis is a general term for irritation and inflammation of the GI tract. The classic symptoms of gastroenteritis include the following:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea

It is extremely common and can occur in any age group. Depending on the underlying cause of gastroenteritis, the pain may range from mild to severe. Symptoms of viral gastroenteritis, or caused by a viral infection, usually resolve within one to two days.

Some causes of gastroenteritis may last longer. More symptoms are as follows:

  • abdominal pain
  • cramps
  • abdominal gas
  • bloating
  • belching
  • blood-streaked stools
  • fever
  • sore throat
  • headache
  • fatigue
  • cough
  • aches
  • body pains
  • weakness

There is a fine line between feeling ill and experiencing a life-threating condition. Left untreated, gastroenteritis may lead to serious complications in some cases. Dehydration and gastrointestinal bleeding just to name a couple. Seek immediate medical care at the hospital if you notice the following symptoms:

  • lethargy
  • rectal bleeding
  • seizure
  • shallow, raspy breathing
  • difficulty breathing
  • delirium
  • change in alertness
  • unresponsiveness

Treatment for Gastroenteritis:

Next time, we will discuss the causes of gastroenteritis as it is one of the most common digestive issues patients seek medical attention for. We will also share treatments. Visit us next time for more gastro news, and do not hesitate to make an appointment today if you experienced any of the mentioned symptoms.

Do not let treatable stomach issues keep you from enjoying your holidays!

Staff Writer