stomach

Of the stomach is a digestive organ that almost all animals have. It is directly involved in the decomposition and utilization of the food ingested and forwards it to the intestines. The stomach can be affected by numerous diseases of varying degrees of severity. Particularly minor digestive complaints are very common.

What is the stomach

At the stomach it is an important digestive organ with which almost all animals and thus also humans are equipped. The human stomach is a so-called single-cavity stomach, a hollow muscular organ that has a mucous membrane inside.

The stomach takes in the food that is fed in and begins to break it down or break it down before it is passed on to the intestinal tract for further digestion. This is where the actual digestion takes place. The size or capacity of the stomach is on average 1.5 liters; however, this amount can vary in individual cases.

Anatomy & structure

Of the stomach is located in the human abdomen at the lower end of the esophagus, which feeds it through the so-called stomach entrance or stomach mouth.

The organ has a curvature; the actual shape of the stomach is not constant, but depends, among other things, on the filling quantity. So it lowers easily when there is a lot of food in it. The pre-digestion of these takes place in the stomach body, the largest part of the organ. The stomach base is located in front of the stomach body.

This catches the air swallowed when eating and prevents it from entering the stomach. The lower end of the stomach is the connection to the duodenum. This part is called the "gatekeeper". It passes the food on to the intestines in small portions.

Functions & tasks

Of the stomach is, as already mentioned, directly involved in digestion. While the actual digestive process takes place in the intestine, the main task of the stomach is to break down the proteins in the food and thus prepare them for the intestinal tract.

The stomach acid contained inside the organ activates the enzymes pepsin and cathepsin, which are needed to break down the protein. In contrast, food components for fats or carbohydrates usually pass through the stomach unaffected. The stomach acid also helps to protect the stomach and the entire digestive tract from pathogens and infections. Most types of bacteria are unable to survive the so-called gastric juice and are destroyed on direct contact.

The flexibility of the stomach enables the organ to adapt to the amount and frequency of food intake. So it is possible that people only have to eat a few meals a day: The gatekeeper passes the predigested food on to the duodenum in small quantities so that the stomach is never completely emptied and there are always enough nutrients for optimal functioning.

Diseases

Of the stomach can be affected by different diseases. Often there are minor digestive problems such as heartburn (reflux), stomach pressure or gastrointestinal infections.

Inflammation of the gastric mucosa or stomach ulcers are also not uncommon. The causes of such diseases are usually found in an unfavorable lifestyle, for example with an irregular and unhealthy diet and a lot of stress. The use of various drugs can also affect the stomach. Often the symptoms can be alleviated by a change in lifestyle - if this is done in good time, chronic stomach diseases can be prevented.

Serious illnesses such as stomach cancer or gastric bleeding caused by long-term alcohol consumption urgently require medical treatment, as in the worst case they can lead to the death of the person concerned. In principle, stomach problems should not be taken lightly. If they are left untreated for a long time, the function of the stomach can be impaired, which can significantly reduce the patient's quality of life.

If you experience bloating, heartburn, and pressure or pain in the stomach area, it is advisable to consult a doctor. With the help of a gastroscopy (gastroscopy) and a comprehensive examination, the causes can be determined and treated.

Typical & common diseases

• Gastric ulcer
• Inflammation of the lining of the stomach (gastritis)
• Abdominal influenza
• Duodenal ulcer
• Irritable stomach
• Stomach cancer
• Crohn's disease (chronic bowel inflammation)
• Ulcerative colitis
• Appendicitis