Pain in the stomach? 5 digestive conditions you might have

Digestive disorders can be difficult to cope with, and at times, yield painful or uncomfortable symptoms. Thankfully, there are many ways of managing digestive problems. The first step in treating your ailment is to determine the issue. Here are brief descriptions of five digestive conditions that might be affecting you and their corresponding symptoms.

Reflux is one of the most common digestive problems. Culprits can include some medications, pregnancy, alcohol and a variety of other factors. Think you may have it? People tend to experience a burning feeling in their chest, a pain in their throat or have trouble swallowing. Treat reflux with a number of over-the-counter medicines.

Peptic ulcers can be caused by stress, smoking, drinking and other factors that aggravate your stomach lining. Ulcers are also exacerbated by painkillers. If they aren't treated properly, they can result in internal bleeding, which can lead to serious complications. Usually, acid reduction medicine, lifestyle changes and antibiotic treatment can help cure a peptic ulcer.

This is a common problem that tends to afflict the elderly. It's characterized as an inflammation of a pouch in your stomach that can be very painful and interferes with digestion. It's best to make changes to your diet if you're suffering from diverticulitis and to avoid foods that can get lodged in the stomach pouch and irritate it such as nuts and corn.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common stomach ailment that can cause abdominal pain, problems with bowel movements, rectal bleeding, weight loss and other symptoms. IBS treatment requires a combination of anti-inflammatories, steroids and changes to the diet and lifestyle.

Celiac disease is quite uncommon and complicated to diagnose. It's classified as a severe allergy to gluten that causes symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation and more. There's no cure for celiac disease but it can be successfully managed by avoiding all foods containing gluten.

These five digestive conditions plague many individuals globally. If you think you might have a digestive condition, your doctor can help with a diagnosis. That way, you can begin treatment to get the help and relief you need.