Gastric leakage, medically known as perforation, occurs when there is a hole in the stomach wall. This condition can be caused by several things, from stomach ulcers to surgical complications.
The stomach organ which is located on the left side of the upper stomach has the task of receiving food from the esophagus. This organ will secrete stomach acid and enzymes that function to digest food. When the stomach leaks, of course its function in digesting food will be disrupted.
Leaky stomach generally causes symptoms in the form of severe abdominal pain, which is accompanied by chest pain, nausea, vomiting, a distended stomach, tightness and difficulty in defecating (BAB). In more severe conditions, this condition can also be accompanied by vomiting and bloody stools.
Causes of Leaking Stomach
The following are some conditions that can cause a leaky stomach:
1. Stomach ulcer
Gastric leakage can occur as a result of an injury to the inner surface of the stomach wall, otherwise known as a peptic ulcer. This condition is usually characterized by severe abdominal pain that appears suddenly, and feels like being stabbed by a sharp object.
2. Abdominal injury
Injuries to the abdominal area due to stabs, gunshots, or hard impacts can cause leakage of the gastric organs. This condition can occur in victims of traffic accidents, shootings, or acts of violence.
3. Swallowing foreign objects or chemicals
Foreign bodies and ingested strong alkaline or acidic chemicals can cause injury to the upper digestive tract, including the stomach.
Foreign objects that can injure the stomach include toothpicks, glass shards, chicken bones, and fish bones. As for chemicals, generally from home cleaning products, such as detergents, toilet cleaners, and bathroom floor cleaners.
4. Stomach cancer
stomach cancer is one of the most common cancers and is very at risk of causing gastric leakage. The initial symptoms that are usually felt are nausea and vomiting, difficulty swallowing, no appetite, vomiting blood, bloody stools, and drastic weight loss.
5. Medical procedures
Each medical procedure has its own risks. Although the chances are very small, some medical procedures, such as gastroscopy, gastrectomy surgery, bariatric surgery, and surgical removal of gastric polyps, carry a risk of causing a leaky stomach. This condition is more likely to occur if you have a history of stomach disease before surgery.
Gastric Leak Treatment
A leaky stomach is an emergency condition that requires immediate treatment. To overcome a leaky stomach, the doctor will first improve the general condition of the patient by installing oxygen tubes, infusions and tools to monitor blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, and oxygen levels in the body.
Then the doctor will give medicine to relieve pain and other symptoms experienced by the patient, medicine to stop the production of stomach acid, and antibiotics to prevent infection.
After that, the surgeon will immediately perform emergency surgery. The operation aims to address the cause of gastric leakage and repair gastric leakage. If a leaky stomach is not treated immediately, the contents of the stomach will leak into the abdominal cavity and cause peritonitis. If left unchecked, this condition can be fatal.
Therefore, do not underestimate a leaky stomach. Start to pay more attention to what you consume. If you experience digestive problems, you should consult an internist or gastroenterologist for proper examination and treatment.
If you experience symptoms of a leaky stomach as described above, immediately go to the emergency department (IGD) at the nearest hospital to get treatment as soon as possible.