Stomach disorders involve an inflammation of the stomach lining and are collectively known as gastritis. Gastritis can be either acute (occurs suddenly lasting a day or two) or chronic where it develops gradually with long term symptoms.
For most people, gastritis is not serious and improves quickly with treatment, however in some cases, gastritis can lead to ulcers, stomach bleeding and an increased risk of stomach cancer.
Symptoms and characteristics:
Gastritis that occurs suddenly (acute gastritis) usually results in nausea or vomiting and burning pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen. Chronic gastritis, which develops gradually, is more likely to cause a dull pain and a feeling of fullness or loss of appetite after a few bites of food. For many people, chronic gastritis may not cause any problems at all. Other common symptoms of gastritis can include:
- indigestion
- bloating and burping
- hiccups
- vomiting which may involve loss of blood through the vomit
- blood loss in bowel stools resulting in dark coloured stools
- loss of weight.
Workplace adjustments and solutions:
Work restrictions or accommodations are not usually necessary, except perhaps flexible leave arrangements if time off is required to better manage acute symptoms or for the recovery period following surgery to treat chronic symptoms.There are solutions and adjustments for the following job requirements:
(Better Health Channel 2007; MayoClinic.com 2007; Medline Plus 2009)
References:
Better Health Channel 2007, Gastritis, State Government of Victoria, Melbourne, viewed 16 January 2009, <http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Gastritis?open>.
MayoClinic.com 2007, Gastritis, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Rochester, viewed 16 January 2009, <http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gastritis/DS00488>.
Medline Plus, Gastritis, A.D.A.M., Inc., online, viewed 16 January 2009, <http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001150.htm>.