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A duodenal ulcer is a raw area or open sore (ulcer) that develops when there is a break in the lining of the duodenum, the upper part of the small intestine which is connected to the stomach. When food passes from your mouth, it moves through the esophagus and into your stomach. From the stomach, it travels into the duodenum. The duodenum produces chemicals and mucus, which protects the tissues and covers the surface from the acid. If the acid damages this protection by breaking through the lining of the duodenum, an ulcer occurs.

Diarrhea is one of those uncomfortable ailments that arrives unexpectedly and sometimes without warning, and we all experience it at one time or another. However, for some people, diarrhea is a daily occurrence – and just one of the many symptoms of Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s disease is a chronic condition that involves swelling and inflammation in the intestines and digestive tract.

Abdominal swelling, also known as stomach bloating or abdominal distention, is a condition characterized by the excessive accumulation of intestinal gas. The abdominal wall swells when gas is trapped in the intestines or peritoneal cavity – gas is produced at a higher rate than normal. Your abdomen feels full and tight, even when you have not eaten.

When we eat food, our body needs to break it down into usable nutrients and vitamins. The process of this breakdown starts off in the stomach. The stomach secretes an acid that is essential in the digestive process, as this acid helps in breaking down the food during digestion.

Common pain in the belly (abdomen) is usually related to indigestion or an upset stomach. This occurs when the digestion process is more difficult than usual for the body to perform. This may occur as a result of certain foods, eating too fast or eating food that is past its sell-by-date. Stomach ache can also occur as a result of certain conditions – some physical, such as a ‘tummy bug’, flu, gastritis or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and some psychological conditions – such as stress and anxiety.

Dyspepsia, also known as indigestion or an upset stomach, is the medical term used to describe a burning or painful sensation in the upper abdomen. People are often heard saying that they have a sick feeling in the stomach or nervous stomach when they experience dyspepsia. Symptoms are usually as a result of overeating, eating too quickly or eating the incorrect food combinations.

The further into the atmosphere we climb, the thinner the air around us becomes, with less and less oxygen. Although the air remains constant, the barometric pressure decreases, resulting in fewer oxygen molecules being inhaled-- and it is this lack of oxygen that causes altitude sickness.