Stomach Disorders: Common Problems and When to See a Doctor

What the stomach does

Your stomach is an organ between the esophagus and the small intestine, where the digestion of protein begins. It has three jobs:

1. store the food you swallow;
2. mix it with stomach acids;
3. send the mixture on to the small intestine.

Common problems

Most people have a stomach problem at one time or another. Indigestion and heartburn are common.

• Often manageable at home: some stomach problems ease with over-the-counter medicines and lifestyle changes, such as avoiding fatty foods or eating more slowly.
• Need medical care: others, like peptic ulcers or GERD, need a doctor.

See a doctor if you have

• blood with a bowel movement;
• severe abdominal pain;
• heartburn that antacids don't relieve;
• weight loss you didn't intend;
• ongoing vomiting or diarrhea.

Sources

Based on the MedlinePlus health topic "Stomach Disorders," National Library of Medicine, drawing on the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; a work of the United States government in the public domain.