Stomach Diseases
There are various diseases of the stomach:
Loss of Appetite (Jou-ul-Baqar)
In this condition, the body needs food, but the stomach does not create the feeling of hunger. The desire to eat and drink decreases significantly.
Normally, when food reaches the stomach, the stomach walls stretch. In response, a gastric hormone is released that controls stomach movements and stimulates the gastric glands to produce gastric juice. This juice is highly acidic, with a pH ranging from 0.9 to 1.5, and contains pepsin, hydrochloric acid (HCl), intrinsic factor (required for the absorption of Vitamin B12), and various proteolytic enzymes that play an important role in digestion.
Any imbalance in these digestive secretions may result in loss of appetite.
Stomach Pain
There are three main forms:
1. First Type
The patient feels pain in the stomach along with:
Excess saliva
Nausea
Retching
Vomiting
Indigestion
Increased saliva production
Causes
Excessive use of phlegm-producing foods
Cholera
Indigestion
2. Second Type
Symptoms include:
Abdominal bloating
Rumbling sounds in the abdomen
Sour belching
Restlessness
Severe constipation
Colicky abdominal pain
Causes
Excessive use of sour foods
Frequent consumption of heavy and hard-to-digest foods
Eating without need
3. Third Type
Symptoms include:
Stomach pain
Excessive thirst
Yellow-colored vomiting
Burning during urination
Cramping during bowel movements
Anxiety and restlessness
Sleeplessness
Burning sensation in hands and feet
Yellowish skin complexion
Causes
Excessive use of hot and dry foods
Indigestion
In this condition, only the digestive function of the stomach is disturbed, while the structure of the stomach remains normal.
Three to four hours after eating, the patient may experience:
Stomach pain
Tightness
Heaviness
Restlessness
Nausea or vomiting
Constipation or diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Bad breath
Mild fever
Sour belching
Sour fluid rising into the mouth
Sometimes sediment appears in the urine, and occasionally albumin may be present in the urine.
If indigestion continues for a long period, appetite decreases significantly. The patient feels heaviness and mild pain in the upper stomach area, especially after meals. Gas accumulates in the abdomen, sour belching occurs, and alternating constipation and diarrhea may develop.
The face loses its glow, the body becomes weak, and the patient gradually loses weight. Fatigue, sluggishness, palpitations, stomach burning, throat irritation, mouth ulcers, and burning hands and feet may also occur.
Causes
Eating repeatedly before previous food is digested
Frequent consumption of bakery products
Excessive eating at restaurants
Hiccups (Fawaq)
A hiccup is a sudden involuntary movement that usually originates from a stomach-related disturbance. It occurs when the diaphragm and other breathing muscles contract suddenly. As air rushes into the voice box, the vocal cords react with a sudden jerk, producing the characteristic hiccup sound.
Causes
Accumulation of fluids in the upper part of the stomach
Excessive buildup of gas
Severe thirst
Dryness of the tongue
Excessive use of foods that produce irritating humors or secretions
Nausea, Retching, and Vomiting
A special center in the medulla of the brain is connected to the chemoreceptor trigger zone. When this center is stimulated, excessive saliva is produced. As the saliva enters the stomach, it causes stimulation and distension of the stomach.
At this stage, the opening of the food pipe near the mouth becomes relaxed, while the pyloric opening leading to the small intestine becomes tightly constricted. The stomach repeatedly contracts and relaxes. Since the pyloric outlet is blocked, the stomach contents are forced upward and expelled through the mouth, resulting in vomiting.
If the sensation of vomiting occurs but little or no material is expelled, it is called retching.
When the stomach becomes extremely weak, it develops an aversion to harmful substances and loses its normal activity. The person feels constantly uneasy and uncomfortable. This condition is called nausea.
Causes
Excessive consumption of cold and moist foods
Exposure to cold weather
Eating unnecessarily
Food poisoning
Pain at the Upper Opening of the Stomach (Cardiac End of the Stomach)
Nature has made this area highly sensitive because it plays an important role in creating the sensation of hunger. Even minor discomfort in this region can be felt intensely. Sometimes the patient may become faint and develop cold sweats.
Causes
Severe stress and anxiety
Excessive use of dry foods
Excessive Hunger (Jou-ul-Kalb)
In this condition, the appetite becomes abnormally strong. Even after eating, the person continues to feel hungry. Since such greed for food is commonly associated with dogs, it is traditionally called "Jou-ul-Kalb."
This is considered a false hunger rather than a true one. It is commonly seen in people with diabetes. It may also occur in children who have intestinal worms that consume part of their nutrition, leaving them constantly hungry.
Causes
Intestinal worms
Diabetes
Excessive use of sour foods
Pickles
Ketchup
Soft drinks
Chutneys and similar condiments
Bloating (Flatulence)
Flatulence refers to excessive gas in the digestive system. During eating, some air enters the intestines. Additional gas is produced when bacteria break down food. These gases include nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and methane.
When food is not digested properly, it ferments and produces gas inside the stomach and intestines.
This gas can cause abdominal pain. After eating, the abdomen may become increasingly swollen, and within two or three hours it may feel tight like a drum. Gas may not pass easily, causing heaviness, discomfort, and weakness.
Other symptoms include:
Abdominal pain
Sour or burning belching
Excess saliva
Frequent spitting
Heartburn
Rapid heartbeat
Dizziness
Shortness of breath
Infants who drink milk often become very uncomfortable in this condition and may become restless. Stool may become frothy and foul-smelling.
Causes
Frequent use of bakery products
Overeating
Lying down immediately after meals
Consumption of hard-to-digest foods
Belching
Belching is the release of gas from the stomach or food pipe, either naturally or intentionally. It commonly occurs after meals when the stomach becomes full and the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes.
Belching is a normal process because it releases swallowed air. However, excessive swallowing of air can cause bloating and abdominal pain.
This often happens when:
Too much food is eaten
Gas-producing foods are consumed excessively
People suffering from indigestion may also experience frequent belching along with:
Abdominal pain
Nausea
Retching
Vomiting
Heartburn
Some people belch frequently because they breathe through their mouth due to a blocked nose.
Persistent excessive belching and excessive gas in the stomach and intestines may also be associated with depression. Such patients often experience continuous anxiety and restlessness.
Causes
Overeating
Mental stress
Indigestion
Nasal blockage
Depression
Vomiting of Blood (Hematemesis)
The patient may experience severe pain in the stomach area, often described as if being pierced by a knife or spear. Sometimes only a burning sensation is present.
Blood may be expelled with forceful vomiting or may appear in small amounts. It may be:
Thin or thick
Frothy
Mixed with food
Pure blood
The amount may range from small to very large, and severe bleeding can be life-threatening.
Causes
Stomach ulcer
Certain complications in hepatitis patients
Rupture of varicose veins in the stomach
Poisoning or toxic substances
Stomach cancer
Improper suppression of menstrual bleeding (traditional medical concept)
Gastritis (Inflammation of the Stomach)
When the stomach muscles become overstimulated, they contract excessively and may even go into spasms. At the same time, the stomach glands become less active and fail to produce sufficient digestive juices.
As a result:
Appetite decreases
Food remains in the stomach longer than normal
Gas and fermentation develop
Indigestion occurs
Other symptoms include:
Excessive thirst
Sour belching
Burning sensation in the stomach
Constipation
Burning in hands and feet
Reduced urine output
Dark-colored urine
As the condition progresses, the mouth may fill with saliva, and the patient may experience:
Mild stomach pain after meals
Sour fluid rising into the mouth
Fatigue
Mental discomfort
Eating and drinking often worsen the symptoms, causing the patient to reduce food intake and become weak.
Long-standing untreated gastritis may lead to infection with Helicobacter pylori, resulting in severe upper abdominal pain, nausea, retching, vomiting, and highly acidic vomit.
Gastric Swelling (Edema/Severe Inflammation of the Stomach)
If gastritis continues for a long time or is not treated properly, it may develop into swelling of the stomach. In this condition, the inner mucous lining of the stomach becomes red and swollen.
Early Symptoms
Heaviness in the stomach
Restlessness
Feeling of suffocation or discomfort
Nausea
Excessive saliva
Bitter fluid in the mouth
Frequent belching
Coated tongue
Loss of appetite
Increased thirst
Constipation
Reduced and dark-red urine
Headache
Mild fever
In children, the inflammation may spread toward the intestines, causing diarrhea and severe abdominal pain. In adults, constipation is more common.
If the inflammation spreads into the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine), the bile duct may become swollen, sometimes causing mild jaundice after a day or two.
Severe Symptoms
When the swelling becomes severe, symptoms become more intense:
Fever up to 103°F
Dry, yellow-coated tongue
Mouth ulcers and sores
Swollen gums
Bad breath
Frequent nausea and vomiting
Vomiting of undigested food followed by mucus
Severe stomach burning
Extreme thirst
Complete loss of appetite
Abdominal bloating
Pain when pressure is applied to the upper stomach
Cramping abdominal pain
Poor sleep
Burning sensation in the palms and soles
Very little, dark-colored urine with heavy sediment
Dry skin
Pale complexion
Progressive weakness and weight loss
Sadness and lack of motivation
Rapid pulse
Loose stools before abdominal cramps
Causes
Eating spoiled food
Consuming rotten or stale meat
Chronic alcohol use
Poisoning and toxic substances
Chemical-based medications
Gastric Ulcer (Peptic Ulcer)
The inner lining of the stomach, called the mucosa, is covered by a protective mucus layer. This lining extends throughout the digestive tract and helps food move smoothly.
Special cells in the stomach produce:
Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) – helps break down food.
Pepsinogen – helps digest proteins.
The stomach is normally protected from its own acid by mucus-producing glands. However, when acid and digestive enzymes become excessive and the protective mucus layer becomes weak, the acid starts damaging the stomach lining.
Initially, this causes irritation and burning. Drinking fluids may temporarily reduce the burning sensation, but it often returns when the acid rises again.
If the condition continues:
Inflammation develops.
Pain becomes more severe.
The stomach lining may become ulcerated.
Bleeding may occur.
Early signs include black stools due to bleeding. In severe cases, vomiting blood may occur.
If left untreated, an ulcer can become a serious condition and may lead to further complications.
Symptoms of Gastric Ulcer
Burning in the stomach about 30 minutes after eating
Burning lasting 3–4 hours
Sharp, cutting pain as the condition worsens
Relief after food leaves the stomach
Excess gas and belching
Nausea and vomiting
Sour or bitter fluid rising into the mouth
Swelling near the stomach opening
Incomplete bowel movements
Intestinal inflammation
Bleeding gums
Dark or pale teeth
Persistent bad breath
Yellowish discoloration of the eyes
Dark circles under the eyes
Dull nails
Frequent bloating, gas, and constipation
Fatigue and weakness
Dizziness
Excessive hunger due to increased acidity
Some patients feel worse on an empty stomach and better after eating, while others become afraid to eat because food triggers pain and burning.
Causes
Infection with Helicobacter pylori
Excessive spicy restaurant food
Bakery sweets and biscuits
Frequent consumption of roasted meat
Excessive use of acidic foods and drinks
Irregular meal schedules
Stress and tension
Refined flour products such as samosas, pastries, and fried snacks
Smoking, alcohol, betel nut products, and gutka
Toxic substances
Excessive tea and coffee consumption
Long-term use of painkillers such as aspirin and similar medicines
Cholera
Cholera is a severe and potentially life-threatening acute disease. It is divided into two types:
1. Epidemic Cholera
In this form, Vibrio cholerae infects the small intestine and causes inflammation, resulting in repeated vomiting and diarrhea.
2. Non-Epidemic Cholera
This type is commonly seen during hot weather. People consume large amounts of cooling foods such as:
Cucumbers
Melons
Watermelons
According to the traditional explanation in the text, drinking excessive water immediately after such foods may weaken digestion and lead to vomiting and diarrhea.
Stages of Cholera
1. Early Stage
Abdominal pain
Vomiting and diarrhea
Initially stool contains waste material
Later stool resembles rice-water discharge
Vomiting follows a similar pattern
2. Progressive Stage
Symptoms become more severe:
Frequent vomiting and diarrhea
Muscle cramps in hands and feet
Headache
Abdominal pain
Intense thirst
Water is vomited immediately after drinking
Severe anxiety and restlessness
This stage may last 10–12 hours.
3. Critical Stage
Due to severe fluid loss:
Blood becomes thicker
Circulation slows
Body temperature falls
Extreme weakness develops
Cold sweating occurs
The body becomes cold
Breathing becomes difficult
The patient struggles to speak
Eyes appear sunken
Intense thirst continues
Bluish circles appear around the eyes
Pulse becomes weak and irregular
The face appears lifeless
Vomiting and diarrhea may stop at this stage. Many patients may die during this critical phase if treatment is not provided promptly.
4. Recovery Stage
If the patient survives the critical stage:
Vomiting stops
Body warmth returns
Pulse improves
Strength gradually returns
Appetite begins to recover
Facial appearance improves
Recovery slowly takes place
Causes
Excessive use of antacid medicines that reduce stomach acid
Conditions that weaken natural stomach acidity
In non-epidemic cholera, drinking water immediately after eating cucumber, watermelon, melon, and similar foods