Stomach and esophageal diseases are health issues of the upper gastrointestinal system (upper GI). Your upper GI includes the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine. These organs can get infections, cancer, or other health issues. 

Symptoms of upper GI health issues include:

• Vomiting and nausea
• Bloating
• Excessive belching
• Heartburn
• Trouble swallowing
• Belly pain
• Diarrhea
• Regurgitation
• Chronic cough or hoarseness
• Feeling too full after a meal
• Sore throat from acid reflux

Everyone has an upset stomach now and then. But you should see a doctor when your symptoms are severe, interfere with your everyday activities, or if they don’t clear up on their own within a week.

Here are some of the most common health issues in the upper GI:

• GERD: A severe form of acid reflux (also called heartburn or acid indigestion). It happens when your stomach contents, including acid, push upwards. Without care, GERD can lead to ulcers, problems swallowing, and other issues.
• Ulcers: Open sores on the lining of your upper GI from GERD or a germ. Ulcers can lead to bleeding, infections, blockages, holes in the stomach, and increased risk of stomach cancer. These can prevent food from moving through your digestive system.
• Gastroenteritis: An inflamed stomach and intestine lining, often from a germ you catch from another person. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and sometimes fever.
• Gastroparesis: When food slows or stops moving from your stomach to your small intestine. Your stomach muscles don’t work properly, so your stomach takes too long to empty its contents. Also called delayed gastric emptying.
• Cancer: Cancer of the upper GI is a serious health issue. Stomach cancer symptoms and esophageal cancer symptoms include poor appetite, bloody stools, weight loss, belly pain, chronic cough, and hoarseness.

Your treatment will depend on your specific ailment. People with bacterial gastroenteritis usually get better on their own with plenty of fluids and rest. 

At Carilion, we always start with the most conservative treatment first.

Controlling your glucose levels with diabetes care is vital for people with gastroparesis from diabetes. Cancer treatments may include radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or surgery.

Lifestyle changes

Making some changes in your daily routine can improve many mild stomach issues. GERD remedies include:

• Changing your eating habits (not eating right before bedtime, eliminating acidic foods from your diet, avoiding alcohol)
• Losing weight if you’re overweight or obese
• Quitting smoking if you smoke
• Elevating your head with extra pillows when you sleep

Medicines

You can buy acid reflux medicine over the counter, but it also comes in prescription strength. These and other drugs can help with upper GI health issues and symptoms. 

Your doctor may recommend:

• Antibiotics if you have a bacterial infection causing an ulcer
• Antacids to relieve mild GERD symptoms
• H2 blockers to lower the amount of acid your stomach produces
• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to lower stomach acid
• Medicines that help squeeze the walls of your stomach to help it work better

Surgery

Your doctor may suggest surgery if you’re still dealing with symptoms after other types of care. Cancer care also often includes surgery.