What is a stomach disease?
There is not a single stomach disease. There are various diseases of the stomach. The most common among these are gastritis, ulcer, reflux, hiatal hernia and stomach cancer. Some complaints of indigestion can also be called stomach disease.
What is gastritis?
Irritation of the inner surface of the stomach is called gastritis. Gastritis has many causes. Excessive acid secretion of the stomach, irritation of painkillers, bacterial growth in the stomach, bile leaking back into the stomach and irritating it, harmful effects of smoking and alcohol.
What complaints does gastritis cause?
It causes complaints such as burning in the stomach, pain and nausea. Sometimes irritation progresses and bleeding may also occur.
How is gastritis diagnosed?
Although physicians suspect gastritis based on the patient's complaint, the definitive diagnosis is gastroscopy (inspection of the stomach with a camera). It is determined by observation. But in practice, gastroscopy is not performed on every patient; If medication is given first and then the complaints improve, there is no problem. If it does not improve, gastroscopy is necessary.
How is gastritis treated?
Treatment is planned according to the main cause. If the cause is bacteria, antibiotics are given accordingly. If it is due to medications, they are stopped and stomach protective treatment is given. If bile leaks back into the stomach, medications to correct this condition are given.
How long is the treatment period for gastritis?
Again, the duration of treatment varies depending on the cause. Sometimes this period can last for months. Of course, it is necessary to show improvement at the end of the treatment. If there is no improvement, the treatment period will be extended.
What will happen if it is not treated?
The patient's complaints continue, sometimes increasing and sometimes decreasing. It spoils the quality of life. He cannot eat every food. There may be a malnutrition. He may wake up from sleep at night due to pain.
Does gastritis turn into another disease?
Gastritis and ulcers left untreated for many years can turn into cancer. Cancer may occur here due to the inner surface of the stomach being irritated for a long time.
Is there surgery in the treatment of gastritis?
No, gastritis is treated with medications. However, in case of complications related to gastritis, that is, bleeding or turning into another disease, surgery may be required.
What is an ulcer?
Ulcer is a more advanced form of gastritis. Here, a wound has formed on the inner surface of the stomach that cannot heal on its own. Its complaints are more advanced than gastritis.
What complaints does an ulcer cause?
There are complaints seen in gastritis, but they are more severe. The disease will not improve without drug treatment. Pain in the stomach, burning sensation, increased complaints before meals. Sometimes bleeding, sometimes destruction of other organs by ulcers.
How is it diagnosed?
Again, as in gastritis, diagnosis is made primarily based on complaints. But for a definitive diagnosis, gastroscopy is required.
What kind of examination is gastroscopy?
It is the process of observing the inside of the stomach with a camera device inserted through the mouth and taking a biopsy if necessary. The procedure can sometimes be performed with or without a sedative. It is a short-term procedure (5-15 minutes). It is a harmless, simple but very informative procedure for stomach diseases.
How is ulcer treated?
Nowadays, stomach ulcers are also treated with medications. In the past, surgery was performed for ulcers, but now medications are quite effective. But in some cases, surgery can be performed. For example, if the ulcer has bleeding that does not stop, if the ulcer has caused perforation of the stomach wall, if it prevents the stomach from emptying, or if the ulcer does not heal despite medications, surgery may be performed.
Does the ulcer turn into a bad disease?
Yes, it can happen, an ulcer left untreated for a long time can turn into a bad disease. Some cancers may look like an ulcer. In this case, the distinction is made by biopsy. By examining the pieces taken during gastroscopy, it is determined whether they are benign or malignant. Treatment is arranged according to the results.
What is gastric reflux?
Reflux means reflux. There are two types. One of them is the fluids that leave the stomach and leak back into the stomach from the duodenum. Here, especially bile irritates the stomach surface and causes complaints. The other is the acidic fluids of the stomach leaking into the esophagus. This causes complaints such as burning in the chest area and bitter water coming into the mouth.
What is the cause of reflux?
The most important cause of reflux is the stomach inlet and outlet valves. It is not closed tightly enough. The most common cause of problems at the entrance to the stomach is a hiatal hernia. Stress and some medications disrupt the functions of these stomach valves and prepare the formation of reflux.
What is a hiatal hernia?
The junction of the esophagus and the stomach is normally in the abdomen. If this junction slides into the rib cage, it is called a hiatal hernia. In this case, the stomach lid cannot close tightly enough and the acidic stomach fluid reaches the esophagus and causes irritation.
In reflux at the stomach exit, the closing power of the muscles is weakened, usually due to drugs, cigarettes and coffee, and bile-containing fluids come into the stomach when they should not and cause irritation. .
How is reflux treated?
If there is a problem with the entrance valve of the stomach, medications are given to reduce stomach acid. It is necessary to avoid acidic foods. It would be appropriate to change the way you eat. It is necessary to stop food intake 3-4 hours before bedtime. It would be appropriate to raise the head of the bed. If there is a hiatal hernia, it must be corrected with surgery.
What kind of surgery is performed for hiatal hernia?
Nowadays, surgeries are frequently performed for reflux and hiatal hernia. Because laparoscopy has made such surgeries easier and increased their success. During the surgery, a procedure is performed that will create more pressure at the junction of the stomach and esophagus. As a result, the procedure strengthens the valve mechanism and prevents gastric fluids from escaping into the esophagus.
In the treatment of reflux, if there is a problem with the exit of the stomach, then it is necessary to give medications to prevent the bile fluid from leaking back. It is necessary to use drugs that correct the working rhythm of the digestive system.
What can you say about stomach cancer?
Stomach complaints are important because the symptoms of the diseases we talk about here are the same as the symptoms of stomach cancer. should be taken into consideration. Stomach cancer is one of the bad types of cancer. We can usually detect the disease in advanced stages. The reason for this is that the complaints we have listed here are ignored.
Are there any differences in the symptoms of cancer from those we have listed here?
There are additional symptoms such as complaints that do not improve despite treatment, loss of appetite, and weight loss. . Those with these symptoms Performing gastroscopy is important for early diagnosis.
What should be done to protect from cancer?
First of all, it is necessary to avoid foods that will upset the stomach. It is necessary to avoid harmful substances such as cigarettes and alcohol. Even if there is any complaint, gastroscopy should not be avoided. Because early diagnosis and treatment greatly increases the success of the treatment of stomach cancer.
In addition, gallbladder disease, intestinal diseases, liver and pancreas diseases may also cause symptoms in the form of stomach discomfort. These also need to be investigated. For this purpose, tests such as blood tests and ultrasound may be performed.
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