Gastrointestinal problems are complaints that can be caused by a wide variety of factors and can manifest themselves in different ways.
Symptoms
Gastrointestinal problems cause a large number of different symptoms. They can be related to the stomach or to the intestines. Depending on the cause, both are equally affected.
Furthermore, they can appear suddenly as a reaction to, for example, incompatible food and subside after a short time or they can be present continuously. Typical symptoms of gastrointestinal problems include abdominal pain, which can be crampy, stabbing or rather spread over the stomach and dull. Other typical symptoms are nausea, vomiting, flatulence, constipation and diarrhoea.
All these can occur with varying frequency and intensity. The loss of appetite can also be an indication of gastrointestinal problems. Heartburn or increased burping are further signs.
In some cases, the symptoms may be related to food intake, i.e. they may occur immediately or a certain time afterwards and be behind the gastrointestinal problems. Pain in the gastrointestinal tract is usually diffuse. However, in certain diseases, the pain can be confined to an exact section of the intestine or an intestinal loop.
In addition to the gastrointestinal problems, accompanying symptoms can occur, either because they belong to a certain clinical picture or because they were first triggered by the symptoms. These include a general feeling of illness, fever, fatigue, weight loss, headaches or the like. Pain in the gastrointestinal tract is usually diffuse.
In certain diseases, however, the pain can be confined to an exact section of the intestine or an intestinal loop. In addition to the gastrointestinal problems, accompanying symptoms can occur, either because they belong to a certain clinical picture or because they were first triggered by the symptoms. These include a general feeling of illness, fever, fatigue, weight loss, headaches or the like.
Causes
Causes for gastrointestinal problems are very diverse. They can also be caused by mental tension and stress – an event can literally “hit your gastrointestinal tract”. An increased production of gastric acid can be behind this, which in the long run attacks the mucous membrane and can cause damage that can then cause severe pain.
But also viral infections can cause gastrointestinal problems, which appear relatively quickly and usually subside after a few days. They manifest themselves by a reduced appetite, malaise, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and possibly fever. The loss of fluid is the main symptom, which must be compensated for.
Colonization of the stomach and intestines with the pathogen “Helicobacter pylori” can also attack the mucous membranes and cause problems. In addition, the pancreas contributes greatly to smooth digestion by releasing enzymes to break down food components. If the pancreas is no longer functioning properly, gastrointestinal problems can also occur. Food intolerances or allergies also play an important role in the cause of gastrointestinal problems. Sudden onset of gastrointestinal problems with severe vomiting and diarrhea, which has never been experienced before, can in rare cases be an indication of a cerebral hemorrhage, which should be clarified immediately.
