Rare Stomach Disorders: Symptoms, Causes & Treatments

The stomach is tasked with storing food, mixing it with enzymes and acids and sending its contents to the small intestine. Stomach troubles are common, but a few rare disorders can interfere with this cycle as well.

Zollinger-Ellison Disorder

• A troublesome yet rare ailment is Zollinger-Ellison disorder. Those afflicted suffer from tumors in the pancreas or duodenum that secrete the hormone gastrin, causing excess acid to form.

Prune Belly Syndrome

• Prune Belly syndrome is characterized by abnormalities in the stomach wall and urinary tract. According to the Prune Belly Syndrome Network, it occurs in 1 out of 40,000 births.

Achlorhydria

• Achlorhydria occurs when the stomach fails to produce sufficient acid to ensure proper digestion. Potential complications include anemia, chronic diarrhea, weight loss and even hallucinations and memory defects.

Significance

• According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC), 14 percent of all U.S. hospital procedures in 2002 were related to some form of gastrointestinal distress.

Research

• If you are diagnosed with a rare stomach disorder, you can investigate if clinical trials are under way at http://clinicaltrials.gov. These trials are sponsored by the U.S. National Institutes of Health.