Cause | Common Features* | Tests† |
---|---|---|
Cancer (such as cancer of the esophagus Esophageal Cancer Esophageal cancers develop in the cells that line the wall of the esophagus (the tube that connects the throat to the stomach). Tobacco and alcohol use, gastroesophageal reflux, and obesity... read more or stomach cancer Stomach Cancer A Helicobacter pylori infection is a major risk factor for stomach cancer. Vague abdominal discomfort, weight loss, and weakness are some typical symptoms. Diagnosis includes endoscopy... read more ) | Chronic, vague discomfort Later, dysphagia with esophageal cancer or early satiety with stomach cancer Weight loss | Upper digestive tract endoscopy (examination of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum using a flexible viewing tube called an endoscope) CT of the abdomen |
Change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, bloating, or greasy stools Iron deficiency anemia that has no other cause | Blood tests Endoscopic biopsy of tissue from the small intestine | |
Coronary ischemia (inadequate blood flow to the coronary arteries) | Sometimes in people who have symptoms when exerting themselves Risk factors for heart disorders (such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and/or high cholesterol levels) | Electrocardiography Electrocardiography Electrocardiography (ECG) is a quick, simple, painless medical test that measures the heart’s electrical impulses. During an ECG, the heart's electrical impulses are measured, amplified, and... read more (ECG) Blood tests Sometimes stress testing |
Drugs (such as bisphosphonates, erythromycin and other macrolide antibiotics, estrogens, iron, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs], and potassium) | In people who are taking a drug that can cause indigestion Symptoms occur shortly after taking the drug | A doctor’s examination alone |
Sometimes difficulty swallowing liquids and solids | ||
Heartburn and/or sometimes reflux of acid or stomach contents into mouth Symptoms sometimes triggered by lying down Relief with antacids | A doctor's examination Sometimes trying treatment with drugs to suppress acid production Sometimes endoscopy of the upper digestive tract Sometimes pH testing of the esophagus (pH is a measure of acidity) | |
Burning or gnawing pain occurring before meals that may be relieved by eating food or taking antacids, histamine-2 (H2) blockers, or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) May awaken people at night | A doctor's examination Sometimes endoscopy Endoscopy Endoscopy is an examination of internal structures using a flexible viewing tube (endoscope). In addition to examinations, doctors can use endoscopy to do biopsies and give treatment. Endoscopes... read more of the upper digestive tract Sometimes testing for Helicobacter pylori infection | |
Poor stomach emptying (gastroparesis)—usually due to other disorders such as diabetes, connective tissue disorders, and/or neurologic disorders | Nausea, abdominal pain, and sometimes vomiting Early satiety Sometimes in people who are known to have a causative disorder | Endoscopy of the upper digestive tract and/or nuclear scanning Nuclear Scans of the Digestive Tract Nuclear scans are tests that involve the use of harmless radioactive materials (see Radionuclide Scanning). The radioactive materials are ingested as part of a meal or in a drink or are given... read more to evaluate stomach emptying |
* Features include symptoms and the results of the doctor's examination. Features mentioned are typical but not always present. Features overlap between causes. | ||
† Although a doctor's examination is always done, it is mentioned in this column only if the diagnosis can sometimes be made by the doctor's examination alone, without any testing. | ||
CT = computed tomography. |