Symptoms of a Hiatal Hernia

Fifty percent of hiatal hernia patients don't experience any symptoms. For the other fifty percent of patients, the following symptoms may occur. Heartburn (which is worse when bending over or lying down shortly after eating) Regurgitation (backflow of stomach contents into the back of the throat Vomiting Gastric reflux (backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus) A sour or bitter taste in the mouth Frequent belching Frequent hiccups Chest pain radiating from below the breastbone (the sternum) Feeling of pressure in the chest A bloated feeling after eating Abdominal discomfort Abdominal pressure, especially soon after eating Discomfort or pain in the stomach Discomfort or pain in the esophagus Gas Unexplained coughing Difficulty swallowing

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Stomach Pain Symptoms Tell You

If you are suffering from stomach pain, you need to find the cause before you can start a treatment. Listed below are a few of the conditions that can cause stomach pain. As always, you should discuss your symptoms with your doctor for an evaluation to diagnose the cause.

Heartburn

Heartburn is a digestive symptom that occurs when stomach acid comes into contact with the lining of the esophagus, causing irritation.

The symptoms of heartburn include a burning sensation behind your breastbone that may also travel to your throat. Other symptoms may include chest pain, difficulty swallowing, persistent cough, and a sour taste in the mouth. Symptoms can get worse soon after you eat or if you lie down shorty after eating.

There are various causes of heartburn. These causes include eating foods that can trigger heartburn, pregnancy, asthma, diabetes, and hiatal hernias.

You can eliminate the heartburn in a number of ways, including chewing gum (although for some patients this worsens the pain), drinking seltzer, or taking an antacid. If you have frequent heartburn, you should see your doctor for evaluation. If you are diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), your doctor may suggest the use of H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for relief from heartburn. First steps, however, will be to make some lifestyle modifications and avoid foods that can cause heartburn.

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Peptic Ulcer

A peptic ulcer is an erosion or sore that forms either in the lining of the stomach (gastric ulcer) or in the lining of the duodenum (duodenal ulcer).

Symptoms of a peptic ulcer vary from patient to patient, but can include a burning or gnawing pain in your stomach that often feels worse when your stomach is empty, and better after you have eaten.

The most frequent cause of a peptic ulcer is Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Other causes of peptic ulcers may include alcohol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The most common NSAIDs are aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium.

Treatment of peptic ulcers depends on the cause. If the cause is H. pylori, the standard treatment is antibiotics. A proton pump inhibitor may also be prescribed. If NSAIDS are the cause of your ulcer, you should stop taking them. During the healing process for an NSAID-induced ulcer, your doctor may recommend the use of antacids to neutralize the acid, and H2-blockers or proton pump inhibitors to reduce stomach acid production.

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Gallstones

There are two types of gallstones -- cholesterol stones and pigment stones. Cholesterol stones are the most common type of gallstone, occurring in approximately 80% of patients with gallstones. Cholesterol stones are made mostly of hardened cholesterol, and are usually yellowish-green in color. Pigment stones are made of bilirubin, and are usually small and dark in color.

Symptoms of gallstones can include pain in the upper abdomen that rapidly worsens and can last from a few minutes to a few hours, nausea and/or vomiting, and heartburn. Gallstone pain often feels sharper and more localized than heartburn or ulcer pain. If the pain doesn't go away within a few hours, or if you are vomiting or have a fever, you should go to your doctor.

Causes of gallstones are usually the result of too much cholesterol or bilirubin in the bile. There are risk factors for developing gallstones, and these can be a combination of factors, including heredity, body chemistry, body type, gender, and maybe even diet.

Treatment of gallstones depends partly on whether you are experiencing symptoms or not. If you have symptoms, especially severe pain, surgical removal of the gallbladder is the most common treatment. If you have no symptoms, you and your doctor may decide that no treatment is needed.

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Symptoms

Knowing the symptoms of following digestive disorders can help you get diagnosis and treatment sooner.

Symptoms of GERD
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) does not close properly and stomach contents reflux back up into the esophagus. Knowing the symptoms can help you receive a diagnosis and treatment sooner.

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Symptoms of Heartburn
Despite the name, heartburn has nothing to do with the heart. Heartburn is a digestive problem that occurs when stomach acid comes into contact with the lining of the esophagus, causing irritation. Most people suffer from heartburn occasionally, usually after a meal. These are the most commonly experienced symptoms of heartburn.

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Symptoms of Hiatal Hernias
50 percent of hiatal hernia patients don't experience any symptoms. For the other 50 percent of patients, the following symptoms may occur.

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Symptoms of Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the esophagus. It is important to know what the symptoms are for this type of cancer.

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Symptoms of Peptic Ulcers
It is important to learn the symptoms of a peptic ulcer in order to quickly receive needed diagnosis and treatment.

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What Are Heartburn Symptoms?

Answer: Heartburn (reflux) is a symptom of another digestive disorder, and not a disorder by itself. For example, heartburn is the most common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Many people have different heartburn triggers, but most people have similar heartburn symptoms, such as:

A burning sensation in the chest
This burning sensation usually starts behind the breastbone (the sternum), and may travel up to the throat. It usually occurs shortly after eating, and can last from a few minutes to several hours.

A burning feeling in the throat
This burning sensation can result from irritation when stomach contents reflux up into the throat.

Sour or bitter taste in the mouth
This sour or bitter taste can occur when stomach contents reflux up into the esophagus and may reach the back of the throat. When the contents enter the back of the throat, a person will often have a sour or bitter taste in their mouth.

Chronic coughing
If stomach acid refluxes (back up) into the esophagus and is inhaled, it can cause coughing.

Wheezing or other asthma-like symptoms
Several studies suggest a significant link between GERD and asthma. The results of these studies show that up to 60% of people with asthma also have GERD, compared with 10% of the general population. GERD can affect asthma when stomach acid refluxes into the esophagus and is aspirated into the airways and lungs, and can make breathing difficult and cause the patient to wheeze and cough.

Sources: "Heartburn and GERD FAQ." American College of Gastroenterology. 19 May 2009

"Heartburn, Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER), and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)." NIH Publication No. 07–0882 May 2007. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC). 19 May 2009

"Is it just a little HEARTBURN or something more serious?." American College of Gastroenterology. 19 May 2009

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