There are different types of stomach problems or diseases. Some can be as mild as indigestion or upset stomach while other stomach problems can be severe and life threatening such as stomach cancer.
What is the stomach? What are the functions of the stomach?
The stomach is a hollow, j-shaped, muscular organ located in the upper part of the abdomen. It connects the esophagus and the duodenum-the first part of the small intestine. The functions of the stomach include the following:
Different stomach diseases:
What is the stomach? What are the functions of the stomach?
The stomach is a hollow, j-shaped, muscular organ located in the upper part of the abdomen. It connects the esophagus and the duodenum-the first part of the small intestine. The functions of the stomach include the following:
• Stores ingested food. As it fills with food and water, the wall of the stomach can expand.Just like any organ of the body, the stomach can have problems. Some of the common diseases affecting the stomach include the following: (Click on the links below to be directed to the specific conditions affecting the stomach published on our web site.)
• Mixes eaten food with stomach secretions until it is emptied into the small intestine, where major breakdown of food and absorption of nutrients occur. The food in the stomach is converted into a soup-like liquid, called chyme.
• Produces stomach acid that helps kill microorganisms. Sometimes called gastric acid, stomach acid helps to activate a certain substance produced by special cells in the wall of the stomach called pepsinogen.
When activated, pepsinogen becomes pepsin, which is a substance that starts digestion of proteins in food such as pork and chicken.
Different stomach diseases:
• Bleeding in the Stomach[Top of Page]
• Gastritis
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
• Gastroparesis
• Heartburn
• Indigestion or Upset stomach
• Peptic Ulcers
• Stomach Cancer
