Gastric Troubles / পেট সংক্রান্ত রোগসমূহ
Gastric troubles refer to a range of symptoms and conditions that affect the digestive system, particularly the stomach. These issues can range from mild discomfort to more severe conditions, and they are often related to the stomach’s ability to produce or regulate stomach acid, digest food, or maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria. Common symptoms include bloating, indigestion, acid reflux, nausea, and abdominal pain.
Common Gastric Problems and Causes
⦁ Indigestion (Dyspepsia)
⦁ Symptoms: A feeling of discomfort or fullness in the stomach, nausea, bloating, and burping. Sometimes, it’s accompanied by mild pain or burning sensations.
⦁ Causes: Indigestion can be caused by overeating, consuming greasy or spicy foods, eating too quickly, stress, smoking, or alcohol consumption. It can also be a symptom of an underlying condition like acid reflux, ulcers, or gastritis.
⦁ Acid Reflux (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease – GERD)
⦁ Symptoms: A burning sensation in the chest (heartburn), a sour or bitter taste in the mouth, regurgitation of food or liquid, difficulty swallowing, and a feeling of a lump in the throat.
⦁ Causes: GERD occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) fails to close properly, allowing stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus. This can be triggered by obesity, certain foods (e.g., chocolate, citrus, tomatoes), lying down after eating, smoking, or excessive alcohol consumption.
⦁ Gastritis
⦁ Symptoms: Inflammation of the stomach lining can cause symptoms like stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, bloating, and a loss of appetite. The pain may be sharp, burning, or gnawing.
⦁ Causes: Gastritis can be caused by an infection (often by Helicobacter pylori bacteria), excessive alcohol consumption, certain medications (like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs), or autoimmune disorders.
⦁ Stomach Ulcers (Peptic Ulcers)
⦁ Symptoms: A burning stomach pain, nausea, bloating, loss of appetite, and weight loss. The pain can often worsen between meals or at night and may be relieved by eating or taking antacids.
⦁ Causes: Ulcers are usually caused by an infection with H. pylori bacteria or the long-term use of NSAIDs. They occur when the stomach’s protective mucus layer is damaged, allowing stomach acid to irritate the stomach lining.
⦁ Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
⦁ Symptoms: IBS is characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or alternating between the two.
⦁ Causes: The exact cause is unknown, but it is often linked to stress, anxiety, or a sensitivity to certain foods. It is considered a functional gastrointestinal disorder, meaning there is no identifiable structural problem with the digestive system.
⦁ Constipation
⦁ Symptoms: Difficulty in passing stools, less frequent bowel movements, hard or dry stools, and feeling of incomplete bowel evacuation.
⦁ Causes: Constipation can be caused by a lack of fiber in the diet, dehydration, sedentary lifestyle, certain medications, or stress. It can also be a symptom of an underlying digestive disorder like IBS or hypothyroidism.
⦁ Bloating and Gas
⦁ Symptoms: Abdominal bloating, excessive burping, and passing gas. Some individuals may also feel fullness or tightness in the abdomen.
⦁ Causes: Bloating is often caused by the buildup of gas in the stomach or intestines. This can happen due to overeating, consuming gas-producing foods (such as beans, onions, or cabbage), swallowing air while eating, or an imbalance in gut bacteria. It can also be linked to conditions like IBS or lactose intolerance.
⦁ Lactose Intolerance
⦁ Symptoms: Abdominal cramping, bloating, diarrhea, and excessive gas after consuming dairy products.
⦁ Causes: Lactose intolerance occurs when the body lacks enough of the enzyme lactase to properly digest lactose, the sugar found in milk and dairy products.
⦁ Gallstones
⦁ Symptoms: Pain in the upper-right abdomen, nausea, vomiting, and bloating. Gallstone attacks can be triggered by eating fatty meals.
⦁ Causes: Gallstones form when there is an imbalance in the substances that make up bile, such as cholesterol, leading to the formation of hardened deposits in the gallbladder.
⦁ Gastroparesis
⦁ Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, bloating, and feeling full after eating only a small amount of food. This condition results from delayed gastric emptying.
⦁ Causes: Gastroparesis is often linked to diabetes, but it can also result from nerve damage, particularly damage to the vagus nerve, which controls the stomach muscles.
Common Triggers of Gastric Troubles
Several factors can exacerbate or trigger gastric discomfort. Some common triggers include:
⦁ Spicy foods
⦁ Fried or fatty foods
⦁ Caffeine
⦁ Alcohol
⦁ Carbonated beverages
⦁ Chocolate
⦁ Large meals or overeating
⦁ Stress and anxiety
⦁ Smoking
