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Spleen and Digestive Problems
Learn more about the various diseases that can be grouped under the category Spleen and Digestive Problems
Abdominal Pain (Pain in the Bowels)
Abdominal pain is more likely caused by the intestines. Small intestine pain occurs at the level of the navel and below. If the large intestine is also affected, the pain can also occur just below the ribcage. Often, cramps of the intestine are accompanied by noises like rumbling. Abdominal pain is often accompanied by nausea, diarrhoea, flatulence or vomiting.
Bad Breath (Halitosis of Stomach Origin)
Bad smelling breath or foul-smelling mouth or nose (halitosis) is a common problem worldwide. It increases with age and can be extremely stressful for those affected. Halitosis is usually caused by problems in the oral cavity and throat. If, however, good dental hygiene can rule them out, then bad breath can be the first sign of an undetected inflammation of the stomach lining, a gastritis. On top of that, we live in a stressful time and the demands of people can be very challenging most of the time. As is well known, stress hits the stomach, which leads to diseases, and as a consequence halitosis can develop from within.
Constipation
Constipation can severely impair the quality of life of those affected: Defecation is difficult and painful – the faeces are usually hard and can only be excreted in small portions through strong pressing. How often we have bowel movements is highly subjective and depends on many factors such as stress, diet or exercise. According to experts, anything between three times a day and three times a week is considered normal for the frequency of bowel emptying.
Acute constipation is usually caused by changes in lifestyle, lack of exercise due to sitting in the car or plane on long-haul flights or a change in diet.
Chronic constipation has many causes, for example, medications, poor bowel habits, low fibre diets, possibly abuse of laxatives, hormonal disorders, diseases primarily of other parts of the body that also affect the colon, prolonged sitting.
Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea is one of the most widespread health disorders and can be caused by infections or food intolerances, but also stress and poisoning. While acute diarrhoea is over after two weeks at the latest, chronic diarrhoea lasts longer.
Those who have diarrhoea are plagued by frequent bowel movements with almost liquid stool. Because the body excretes an excessive amount of fluid, which can lead to a loss of electrolytes, this situation is particularly threatening for children and elderly people. On top of that diarrhoea can be accompanied by other complaints such as nausea, abdominal cramps, malaise and circulation problems.
Gallblader Stones / Inflammation
Gallstones are crystallized components of bile (bile for short). This fluid is produced in the liver and collected in the gallbladder, which is only a few centimeters long and lies directly below it. If necessary, the bile is passed via the bile duct into the small intestine, where it supports the digestion of fat.
The main component of bile is water, which makes up around 80 percent. It also contains bile acids, proteins and bilirubin (a yellowish breakdown product of the red blood pigment hemoglobin). Bile also contains cholesterol. Both bilirubin and cholesterol can crystallize, resulting in very fine stones just a few millimeters in size (semolina) or gallstones up to several centimeters in size. Doctors then speak of cholelithiasis.
It is estimated that between 5 and 25% of the population have gallstones. People over the age of 40 are more frequently affected, women more than men.
Indigestion
Indigestion is a collective term for complaints of the digestive organs. In most cases, the causes are harmless, such as eating too fast or eating spicy, greasy and fatty foods. Sometimes the reason for indigestion is to be found in rather serious illnesses like inflammation of the stomach, ulcers, pancreas inflammation, intestinal blockage or reduced blood flow in the intestine. Symptoms of indigestion may be felt occasionally or as often as daily. Common symptoms are stomach aches, diarrhoea, constipation, flatulence, heartburn, acid reflux and fatigue.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
The irritable bowel is one of the most common diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Diagnosed when a doctor has ruled out other possible causes, it is based on a functional disorder of the intestine and manifests itself through long-lasting or recurring abdominal pain, a feeling of fullness and diarrhoea or constipation, which occurs for a total of at least three months within a year.
Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea is an unpleasant feeling in the upper abdomen with loss of appetite and possibly a feeling of pressure and cramps in the lower throat. Sometimes dizziness, vague abdominal discomfort and unwillingness to eat, as well as increased salivation are also possible. Vomiting results in the emptying of stomach contents via the mouth. Nausea and vomiting occur with dysfunctions of the digestive tract, especially in inflammation of the digestive tract (gastroenteritis), as well as with drugs and other toxins.
Stomach Ache
The stomach is located in the upper part of the abdomen mostly under the left rib arch. Pain or stomach cramps occur there, often lasting only a few seconds and being seizure-like and recurring. The causes are usually harmless such as stress, eating habits, allergies and intolerances but also other diseases such as gastritis or gastric ulcer. Stomach pains are often accompanied by nausea, diarrhoea, flatulence or vomiting.