Various factors, ranging from eating habits to digestive or gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, can cause stomach symptoms, such as vomiting, cramps, and changes to stool.

The GI tract consists of the mouth, stomach, and intestines. Together with the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas, these organs work together to absorb nutrients and expel waste.

Disturbances to this process can cause various symptoms, from cramps to vomiting. Many of these issues may pass with time and pose little risk of complication. However, digestive disorders can cause frequent or worsening symptoms.

This article lists 10 digestive disorders, including their symptoms and treatments, and when to contact a doctor.

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Digestive disorders are conditions that occur when the digestive system does not function as it should. Traditionally, health experts split them into two categoriesTrusted Source: organic and functional GI disorders.

Organic GI disorders occur when structural abnormalities in the digestive system prevent it from working properly.

In functional GI disorders, the GI tract appears structurally sound but still does not function well.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may affect between around 4% and 10% of people. However, many people with IBS do not seek treatment, so professionals do not know its true prevalence.

Symptoms

IBS typically causes abdominal pain, which may occur before or after bowel movements. Some symptoms, including diarrhea, constipation, or both, determineTrusted Source the type of IBS someone has.

Other IBS symptoms may include:

Treatment

Stressful life events, food intolerances, and certain infections may contribute to IBS. Treatment for IBS does not always differ depending on the type. However, the underlying causes and triggers of IBS may affect treatment.

To manage IBS symptoms, a doctor may suggest:

People with IBS should speak with a doctor if they have severe abdominal pain or cramps and if other IBS symptoms suddenly worsen, change, or affect their daily functioning or quality of life.

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) occurs when there is too much bacteria in a person’s small intestine. SIBO is more commonTrusted Source in females and older adults.

Symptoms

SIBO may cause the following symptoms:

Some people may also experience fatty stools and unexplained weight loss.

Treatment

Treatment for SIBO involvesTrusted Source taking antibiotics. Doctors may also prescribe medications to help with digestion and address the underlying cause.

If people cannot take antibiotics, they may need to make dietary changes.

People with SIBO symptoms may benefit from speaking with a doctor, who can advise them about suitable medications or lifestyle changes.

People with a previous SIBO diagnosis should contact a doctor if their symptoms suddenly worsen or affect their daily life or if their treatment plan is no longer working.

Acid reflux occurs when a person’s stomach contents come back up into the esophagus or food pipe. If this happens frequently, a person may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Doctors are not always sure what causes GERD, but risk factors can includeTrusted Source:

Symptoms

GERD can cause esophagitis, which is inflammation or irritation of the esophagus. However, a person can also have GERD without esophagitis.

Potential symptoms of GERD include:

Treatment

Treatment for GERD may includeTrusted Source dietary changes, quitting smoking, or medications to manage the symptoms or address the underlying cause.

Severe GERD can impact a person’s quality of life. People can benefit from speaking with a healthcare professional if they experience any of the following:

  • worsening symptoms
  • more frequent symptoms
  • difficulty swallowing
  • unexplained weight loss
  • vomiting due to GERD

The gallbladder is a small sac that stores bile, which the body uses during digestion. Gallstones are small stones that form in the gallbladder.

Symptoms

In some casesTrusted Source, people may not know they have gallstones, as they may produce no symptoms. When symptoms occur, they may include:

  • persistent pain below the ribs on the right-hand side of the body
  • jaundice
  • a high temperature
  • nausea
  • vomiting

Treatment

Treatment for gallstones may includeTrusted Source surgical removal of the gallbladder or a procedure whereby a healthcare professional will remove gallstones from the bile duct.

While gallstones often do not cause any symptoms, they can lead to serious complications. People should seek medical attention if they experience any of the following:

  • abdominal pain that lasts for more than 8 hours
  • severe abdominal pain
  • jaundice
  • a high temperature or chills

People may also benefit from speaking with a healthcare professional if they have any of these symptoms more than 2 or 3 times per week over weeks or months.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that causes the body to attack the intestinal lining if a person eats foods containing gluten.

Unlike non-celiac gluten sensitivity, celiac disease is a serious condition that, without treatment, can damage the intestines.

Symptoms

Symptoms of celiac disease can include:

Over time, untreated celiac disease can lead to complications such asTrusted Source:

  • malnutrition
  • problems relating to the nervous system
  • problems with reproduction

Treatment

The main treatment for celiac disease is following a gluten-free diet.

People with recurring symptoms of celiac disease should contact a doctor for assessment. The sooner doctors diagnose someone, the sooner they can recommend treatments.

People with a diagnosis should seek medical help if previous symptoms return suddenly or worsen or if they experience unexplained fatigue.

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It causes chronic inflammation in the GI tract, most oftenTrusted Source in the small intestine.

Crohn’s disease may occur due to an autoimmune reaction to certain bacteria in the digestive tract. However, genetic and environmental factors can play a role as well.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Crohn’s disease include:

  • chronic diarrhea
  • unexplained weight loss
  • stomach pain
  • bloody stools
  • fatigue

Treatment

People with Crohn’s disease may requireTrusted Source drugs to reduce the inflammation. Some also require bowel rests to help the intestines heal, or surgery.

People should contact a doctor to test for Crohn’s disease if they experience any of the above symptoms. The sooner someone can treat and manage their flare-ups, the better their chances of avoiding complications.

People with the condition should seek emergency medical help if their treatments stop working or if symptoms become more frequent or severe.

Ulcerative colitis is a type of IBD that causesTrusted Source inflammation in the rectum and large intestine. The inflammation can also spread to other parts of the intestine over time.

As with other types of IBD, causes may include an autoimmune response, genetics, and environmental factors.

Symptoms

Some symptoms of ulcerative colitis may include:

  • chronic diarrhea, which may have blood or mucus
  • unexplained weight loss
  • fatigue
  • abdominal pain

Treatment

Treatment may involveTrusted Source dietary changes, medications to manage inflammation and reduce symptoms, or surgery. The sooner that a person starts treatment, the better their outlook.

People without a previous diagnosis can benefit from speaking with a doctor if they experience any of the above symptoms. Doctors can determine whether the person has the condition and suggest a suitable treatment plan.

People with ulcerative colitis should contact a doctor if they experience severe or recurring flare-ups.

Hirschsprung’s disease is a rareTrusted Source condition that people are born with. It involves the body’s inability to reflexively open the internal anal sphincter.

Symptoms

Symptoms in newborns may include:

Symptoms later in life may include:

Treatment

The usualTrusted Source treatment for Hirschsprung’s disease is surgery.

Achalasia is a rare condition that typically affects adults ages 30 to 60 yearsTrusted Source. It occurs when the esophagus loses the ability to move food toward the stomach, and the valve at the end may fail to open.

Symptoms

Symptoms may include:

  • the sensation while eating that food is not “going down”
  • heartburn
  • regurgitation of food
  • coughing or choking during sleep

Treatment

Treatment may involveTrusted Source surgery or nonsurgical options, such as Botox injections or certain medications.

Ménétrier disease is a rareTrusted Source condition in which the mucous membrane that lines the stomach overgrows, leading to large gastric folds.

Symptoms

Potential symptoms include:

  • pain in the upper middle region of the stomach
  • fatigue
  • unexplained weight loss
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea

However, some people have no symptoms or mild symptoms that worsen. Doctors do not know the exact cause of Ménétrier disease.

Treatment

Treatment may involveTrusted Source medications or potentially a gastrectomy, which is the surgical removal of part or all of the stomach.

People with frequent, persistent, or worsening GI symptoms may benefit from speaking with a doctor.

Doctors may begin trying to diagnose a digestive condition by performing a physical exam and asking about the person’s symptoms and medical history.

They may also order tests such as:

  • blood tests, which may help detect celiac disease, inflammation, or signs of infection
  • stool tests, which can detect inflammation and examine the bacteria in a person’s gut
  • endoscopy, which involves a doctor inserting a tiny camera into the esophagus to examine the upper GI tract
  • colonoscopy, during which a doctor inserts a tiny camera into the rectum to examine the lower GI tract
  • lactulose breath tests, which doctors use to diagnose SIBO
  • medical imaging, such as CT scans, ultrasounds, and X-rays

People may need to speak with different medical professionals during a diagnosis. This may include a primary care physician, gastroenterologist, or dietitian.

People with a previous digestive disorder diagnosis should speak with a healthcare professional if their symptoms worsen or stop responding to their current treatment plan.

There are many digestive disorders, ranging from common to rare. Many involve similar symptoms, which can make them difficult to diagnose.

If someone develops symptoms that are not normal for them, they may benefit from contacting a doctor. A doctor will diagnose any issues and recommend suitable treatment.