Stomach Problems

Stomach problems are very common. Shaped like a gourd, the stomach resides in the left central part of the upper abdomen, just below the rib cage. The stomach receives food through the esophagus, and its churning, mixing action reduced the food to a semi-liquid mixture. In addition, the stomach secretes acid, which in turn activates some enzymes that aid in the digestive process.

The majority of the contents in the stomach filter into the small intestine for more absorption and digestion. The stomach doesn't always function perfectly which causes stomach problems. We all experience occasional indigestion and painful heartburn. These stomach problems usually pass without requiring special medical attention. However, if such commonplace problems persist, they can indicate a more serious underlying problem.

Such stomach problems often involve the stomach's lining, which generally is remarkably injury-resistant. However, at times this resistance may break down and a small hole or ulcer may develop in the lining. Ulcers, gastritis, and other stomach problems are discussed on this website.

Drugs have been, and continue to be, an indispensable part of the medical treatment of many ailments unrelated to stomach problems...but these drugs may be curing one ailment and causing stomach problems. Virtually all drugs have some sort of side effects.

Side effects range from very mild to extremely severe. Some are very common and can be tolerated if the benefits outweigh the discomfort or harm. Others are rare and may be severe enough to be life-threatening. Your physician may want you either to decrease the dosage of the drug or to stop taking it altogether in the event of such unwanted effects.

Perhaps the principal offenders are anti-inflammatory drugs, of which many are used to treat the inflammation characteristic of arthritis. These include aspirin and a class of medications known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that include indomethacin, ibuprofen, naproxen, tolmetin, sulindac, piroxicam, diflunisial, and fenoprofen.

Aspirin is one of the most effective and safest drugs available when used prudently. However, persons who take more than two or three tablets a day may experience microscopic gastrointestinal bleeding which is definitely a stomach problem.

If you are susceptible, aspirin and the other anti-inflammatory drugs may cause an erosion, gastritis, or gastric ulcer in your stomach despite the fact that you may have no history of stomach ulcer. It is not clear how aspiring and other similar drugs produce stomach problems like gastric ulcers. These medications appear to decrease the protective properties in the lining and mucus of the stomach which can cause stomach problems.