Digestive System

Dyspepsia, also known as indigestion or an upset stomach, is the medical term used to describe a burning or painful sensation in the upper abdomen. People are often heard saying that they have a sick feeling in the stomach or nervous stomach when they experience dyspepsia. Symptoms are usually as a result of overeating, eating too quickly or eating the incorrect food combinations.

A duodenal ulcer is a raw area or open sore (ulcer) that develops when there is a break in the lining of the duodenum, the upper part of the small intestine which is connected to the stomach. When food passes from your mouth, it moves through the esophagus and into your stomach. From the stomach, it travels into the duodenum. The duodenum produces chemicals and mucus, which protects the tissues and covers the surface from the acid. If the acid damages this protection by breaking through the lining of the duodenum, an ulcer occurs.

Diverticulitis is a condition that occurs when sac-like pouches (diverticular) form in the wall of the colon and become inflamed or infected. When stool or food is not broken down, it becomes trapped in the diverticular resulting in pain, swelling, bleeding and infection of the abdomen. It is similar to appendicitis and has the potential to rupture if left untreated. Diverticulitis can lead to a number of serious problems such as an abscess, bleeding, bowel obstruction, fistula, perforation or peritonitis.