13/10/2026
🚨 LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR STOMACH
Your stomach plays an important role in digestion. It uses stomach acid and digestive enzymes to help break down food.
However, different conditions can affect your stomach and cause pain, discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and bloating.
🚨STOMACH UPSET (DYSPEPSIA)
Dyspepsia refers to discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen. You may experience:
√ Abdominal discomfort or pain.
√ Feeling full quickly when eating.
√ Bloating.
√ Nausea.
Possible causes include overeating, certain foods, some medications, and underlying digestive conditions.
NOTE: Diarrhoea and vomiting may occur with other conditions, such as food poisoning or gastroenteritis.
🚨 GASTRITIS
Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining.
Common causes include:
√ Infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria.
√ Frequent use of certain painkillers, such as ibuprofen and diclofenac.
√ Excessive alcohol consumption.
√ Other conditions that irritate or damage the stomach lining.
Symptoms may include:
• Upper abdominal pain or discomfort.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Feeling full after eating.
• Loss of appetite.
• IMPORTANT: Gastritis is not always caused by excess stomach acid. It is possible to have gastritis without producing too much acid.
🚨 PEPTIC ULCERS
Peptic ulcers are open sores that develop in the lining of the stomach or the first part of the small intestine.
The two major causes are:
√ Infection with H. pylori bacteria.
√ Long-term use of certain medicines, especially NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, aspirin and diclofenac.
Symptoms may include:
√ Burning or gnawing pain in the upper abdomen.
√ Nausea.
√ Bloating or discomfort after meals.
Some people with ulcers have no symptoms until complications develop.
🚨 PLEASE NOTE: Ulcers are not simply the next stage of untreated gastritis. Gastritis and peptic ulcers are different conditions, although they can sometimes occur together.
🚨NOW WHAT ABOUT "GASES"?
Many people use the word "gases" to describe bloating, abdominal discomfort or excessive belching.
Gas is a normal part of digestion. However, persistent bloating or abdominal pain should not automatically be blamed on gas, as other conditions may be responsible.
🚨 HOW ARE THESE CONDITIONS TREATED?
Treatment depends on the underlying cause.
√ Antacids may provide temporary relief from acid-related symptoms.
√ Acid-reducing medicines may help the stomach lining or ulcers heal.
√ If H. pylori infection is confirmed, treatment usually involves a combination of antibiotics and acid-reducing medication.
√ Avoid unnecessary use of painkillers that can irritate the stomach.
√ Limit alcohol and identify foods that trigger your symptoms.
🚨 MY ADVICE TO YOU
Not every stomach pain is gastritis, and not every case of bloating is caused by gas.
Avoid self-diagnosis. If your symptoms persist or keep coming back, visit a healthcare facility for proper assessment and treatment.
By Health tips with Gondwe Elijah C.O
