What
You Need To Know
Stomach Problems
Do
you suffer from one or more of these symptoms?
•
Stomach pain or
discomfort
•
Heartburn: a
burning feeling rising from stomach or lower chest up
towards the neck
•
Sour taste in
mouth / Acid regurgitation
•
Excessive burping
•
Abdominal bloating
•
Nausea
•
Feeling of
abnormal digestion - feeling full just after eating
These symptoms can stop
you from enjoying daily activities and decrease your
quality of life.
What
can cause these symptons?
These
symptoms may be caused by:
•
Digestive
problems/stomach problems
•
Diet
•
Lifestyle
•
Side effects of
medications
•
Heart problems
If
you are older than 50
If your
symptoms are in fact due to some kind of stomach problem
and you are over 50 years of age, your doctor may
recommend further tests be done. These tests may allow
the doctor to better define what is causing your
symptoms. It also allows your doctor to rule out serious
disease like stomach cancer.
When
should I contact my doctor?
You should contact
your doctor immediately if you have any of the
following symptoms:
•
Constant vomiting
•
Vomiting of blood
(it may look like coffee grounds)
•
Blood in your
stool (pitch black stools or red blood in stool)
•
Weight loss that
is not intentional (not on a diet)
•
Pain or difficulty
in swallowing
Your doctor will examine
you and will probably send you for further testing, or to
see a specialist.
What
is GERD?
GERD or
Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease is a condition commonly
referred to as heartburn. Some symptoms will include a
burning feeling rising from your stomach or lower chest
up towards your neck or a sour bitter taste in your
mouth.
What
is a Peptic Ulcer
A peptic ulcer is a break in the lining of the stomach
and symptoms include burning, gnawing or stabbing pain
that occurs in the top of your stomach. In the past, it
was believed that eating spicy foods and living a
stressful lifestyle caused ulcers. Today doctors know
that most ulcers are ca-used by a bacterial infection
referred to as H. pylori.
Your doctor may choose to
cure the infection through medication. Usually if your
infection is cured and your ulcer is healed, the ulcer
will not return.
What
if I do not have an H.pylori infection, but do have the
symptoms?
If you do not
have the infection, it is very unlikely that you have an
ulcer. Make sure that you have mentioned all the
medications you are taking, including ones you buy
over-the-counter to your doctor as your symptoms may
still be due to stomach acid, at which point, your doctor
or pharmacist can assist you with treatment.
 The
information in this publication is presented as an educational
service. It is not intended as a substitute for medical
advice from your physician.
Your PharmAssist(tm)
pharmacist is available to discuss any questions or
concerns you may have. To locate the PharmAssist(tm)
pharmacist nearest you, please call 1-877-378-4100 or
e-mail: pharmacist@pharmassist.ca
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