Symptoms of Digestive Problems

Maybe it was that second helping of dinner. Or maybe it was the dessert. Whatever the case, you’re just not feeling too right in the tummy. Bloating, gassy, hiccuppy, all good ways of describing that painful feeling associated with typical symptoms of digestive problems. Being able to identify the problem is the first step in clearing up any foul, lingering discomfort.

The problem with the generic term “digestive system problems” is that the underlying causes of the symptoms can be so vast they can be included as a side effect of any one of a myriad diagnoses. Some general symptoms of digestive problems result from trauma, infection or obstruction. By matching other symptoms with the digestive ones, we can come up with a root cause, proper diagnosis and successful treatment.

Skin color, like jaundicing or paling of the skin, may accompany digestive symptoms and lead a doctor to the liver as a cause. Other symptoms that can pop up with an upset stomach are chills and dizziness, chest pain, flu-like aches and fever and tendency to bruise or bleed more easily.

Other symptoms of digestive problems can be more acute or even life-threatening. High fever, dizziness or a rapid pulse, accompanied by severe abdominal pain could be acute appendicitis. Vomiting blood and the presence of blood in the stool might be a bleeding ulcer. Any of these symptoms should not be ignored and considered emergencies.

Symptoms of digestive problems don’t only occur in the stomach, they also appear in the gastrointestinal system, the digestive system that includes the esophagus, stomach, intestines, pancreas and liver. General heartburn is a symptom of what could be a more severe gastrointestinal problem, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). When the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) does not close properly, the connections between the stomach and esophagus remains open, allowing acid from the stomach to spill back into the throat. The resulting burn can be so painful, many people have mistaken acid reflux for heart attacks.

Whenever experiencing these symptoms of digestive problems, it is best to get to the doctor as soon as possible. Delaying treatment can only make the underlying cause more exacerbating.