Standard imaging tests for gastric conditions include upper gastrointestinal series (UGI), ultrasounds, MRIs, CT scans and X-rays. For an even clearer picture of the gastrointestinal tract, a barium swallow or barium enema may be used in conjunction with an X-ray.
Frequent discomfort, gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and heartburn could be signs that your gut is having a hard time processing food and eliminating waste. You feel tired more often than not. People with chronic fatigue may have imbalances in the gut.
A gastroscopy (examination of the stomach) can help confirm or rule out the presence of medical conditions like gastritis or peptic ulcers. In this procedure, an instrument called a gastroscope is used to look at the inside of the food pipe, the stomach, and part of the duodenum (the first part of the intestine).
Blood tests can show levels of specific substances in the blood. Digestive issues for which blood tests support a diagnosis include Celiac disease, inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), stomach ulcers, stomach cancer and food allergies.
Severe pain is a warning sign that something is wrong in your gastrointestinal system. If it's severe but intermittent, call a GI doctor. If your belly pain is severe, persistent, and especially if you have vomiting, diarrhea, and/or fever, go immediately to the emergency department.
Common digestive disorders include gastroesophageal reflux disease, cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, lactose intolerance and hiatal hernia. The most common symptoms of digestive disorders include bleeding, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, pain, nausea and vomiting.
Digestion issues, including indigestion, gas, constipation, diarrhea, food allergies, and food poisoning, are all extremely common causes of stomach pain. In most cases, the discomfort will go away within a few hours or a few days.
Symptoms include blood on or mixed in with the stool, a change in normal bowel habits, narrowing of the stool, abdominal pain, weight loss, or constant tiredness.
Gastroparesis can interfere with normal digestion, cause nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. It can also cause problems with blood sugar levels and nutrition. Although there's no cure for gastroparesis, changes to your diet, along with medication, can offer some relief.
Call your doctor if you have any of these digestive symptoms: Chronic or unusual abdominal pain. Persistent or severe heartburn. Difficulty swallowing.
Get medical help immediately if: You have abdominal pain that is very sharp, severe, and sudden. You also have pain in the chest, neck, or shoulder. You're vomiting blood, have bloody diarrhea, or have black, tarry stools (melena).
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (also called EGD or upper endoscopy). An EGD (upper endoscopy) is a procedure that allows the healthcare provider to examine the inside of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum with an endoscope. This is guided into the mouth and throat, then into the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.
Your stomach pain is accompanied by other severe symptoms
Bloody diarrhea. Bloody or burning urine. Bowel movements accompanied by vomiting. Chest pain or pressure (especially if you are over 45, as this may be a sign of an impending heart attack)
Gastrointestinal function is particularly influenced by stress. Common gastrointestinal symptoms due to stress are heartburn, indigestion, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and associated lower abdominal pain. These symptoms and the alterations in intestinal function that cause them are becoming understood.
Gastroparesis slows down your whole digestive process, which can delay your bowel movements. It can also deliver large, undigested pieces of food to your intestines, which are more difficult to pass through.
Life expectancy for someone with Gastroparesis is 3 to 7 years.
Specific red flag symptoms that warrant immediate referral include problems swallowing, palpable lumps in the stomach and significant unintended weight loss over the last six to 12 months.
Red flags that raise suspicion of serious pathology
Systemically unwell/septic-looking. Signs of dehydration. Rigid abdomen. Patient lying very still or writhing.
The esophagus, stomach and the intestines are the most common parts of the gastrointestinal tract to cause discomfort. Low fiber and water in the diet, infection such as peptic ulcer disease, food poisoning, hyperacidity, lactose intolerance, stress, gastroesophageal reflux disease or heartburn.
Some people with chronic stomach discomfort are more sensitive to certain foods like dairy, spicy foods, soda, fried foods or alcohol. These foods can relax the muscle that keeps food from traveling backward, increase stomach acid production or keep the stomach full for too long.