Upset Stomach - Causes and Signs of Upset Stomach

There are several types of dyspepsia, depending on the cause of their occurrence. Among them:

• fermentative - occurs as a result of excessive food consumption containing mainly sugar and carbohydrates, as well as drinks made by fermenting various substances (kvass, beer). In this case, fermentation processes occur in the large intestine;
• putrefactive - develops due to an excess of protein nutrition and is characterized by subsequent rotting of food masses in the large intestine;
• fatty - refers to the abuse of fatty foods and poor absorption of fats and proteins in the digestive tract;
• infectious - as a result of the ingestion of a large number of pathological microorganisms with food;
• toxic - develops as a result of the use of toxic and irritating substances;
• secondary - as a manifestation of other diseases and disorders.

Causes

The disease can occur due to the following factors: rapid food intake, as a result of which putrefactive processes begin; taking incompatible or difficult to combine foods in one sitting; excessive amounts of sweets in the diet, fats or carbohydrates; taking antibiotics and, as a result, the destruction of beneficial microflora; low production of some enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract; some diseases of the digestive system (gastritis, ulcers, etc.); the influence of stress; a sharp change in regimen or diet.

Alcohol abuse and smoking also negatively affect the functioning of the gastric system, provoking the appearance of failures in its work.

Colic in the projection of the abdomen can be with a diaphragmatic hernia. But more often the pain syndrome occurs behind the breastbone, without strict periodicity, it is associated with lunch or dinner. There is a burning sensation in the esophagus and behind the breastbone during and immediately after eating. Often in this case the pain radiates to the back, left shoulder. To clarify this diagnosis, an X-ray examination is required.

Symptoms

This condition is characterized by various symptoms. For example:

• abdominal pain;
• bloating;
• feeling of heaviness after lunch;
• flatulence;
• loose stools (diarrhea);
• heartburn;
• nausea;
• vomiting.

Diagnostics

If signs of such a disorder are present, a consultation with a general practitioner is recommended, who, after an initial examination, will be able to correctly refer the patient to a gastroenterologist, infectious disease specialist, neurologist, endocrinologist, etc. The following diagnostic methods are used in diagnostics: gastroscopy (fibrogastroduodenoscopy or FGDS), which assesses the condition of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, a study is carried out for the presence of Helicobacter infection and a general blood and stool test for occult blood.

Treatment

In order to eliminate signs of the disorder and normalize the digestive system, gastroenterologists use various methods. Usually it is:

• prescribing a special diet with the exclusion or limitation of those types of food that caused the disease;
• using medications that normalize the production of enzymes in the digestive tract;
• taking absorbents that eliminate the manifestations of excessive gas formation;
• antibacterial therapy aimed at combating Helicobacter or other infections;
• using a decoction of flax seeds as a protective agent for the gastric mucosa.

Prevention

Normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract is ensured by performing the following measures: adherence to a diet; refusal to overeat fatty, sweet and carbohydrate foods; chewing food thoroughly, no rush while eating; refusal of self-medication with antibiotics; avoidance of overeating and consumption of too large portions of food; timely detection and treatment of inflammatory and infectious diseases of the stomach and intestines.