Stomach ache is one of the most common pains that probably all of us have experienced. The pain in each part of the abdomen is related to a specific disease or complication, so abdominal pain or Stomach ache may have different causes. You will read everything you need to know about grief in this article. Stay with us.
What is a Stomach ache?
Pain in any part of the abdomen (between the ribs and the pelvis) is considered abdominal pain or heartache. We usually think of Stomach ache as a stomach ache, while sometimes the origin of this pain may be from an organ other than the Stomach. The abdomen, or the space between the ribs and the pelvis, contains these organs:
- Stomach
- liver;
- gall bladder ;
- pancreas;
- small intestine;
- Colon.
These are the organs of the digestive system. Sometimes the pain in your abdomen may originate elsewhere, such as your chest, pelvis, or back. You may also experience heartache in different ways, for example:
- mild or severe;
- burning or pain;
- cramping or colic;
- constant or intermittent;
- Local (in one spot) or general (throughout the abdomen).
Almost everyone has Stomach ache at some point. Although this pain is usually not severe and will go away on its own, it can be dangerous or a sign of a severe illness or even an emergency. The cause of 5% of visits to the emergency room is heartache. When abdominal pain occurs, you can describe the location and intensity of the pain to the doctor.
Types of Stomach ache
Since several organs are inside the abdomen, the doctor usually diagnoses the cause of the pain by asking which part of the abdomen hurts. Doctors divide the core into four pieces, and their first question is which part of the abdomen hurts. These four parts are:
- upper right abdomen;
- upper left abdomen;
- right lower abdomen;
- Lower left abdomen.
The location of the pain is an important clue to diagnose the cause of the pain. Knowing the location of the pain indicates the organs involved. For example, pain in the upper right side may indicate a problem in the liver or gallbladder.
In addition to asking which part of the abdomen is painful, the doctor will also ask about the frequency and severity of the pain. The answers to these questions will give the doctor more clues about the underlying cause of the pain.
Causes of Stomach ache
Stomach ache has different causes, possibly due to digestive problems, injury, infection, or disease. Pain may originate from an organ inside the abdomen, muscles, skin of the abdominal wall, or even somewhere outside the core.
Common causes of Stomach aches
Most abdominal pains are temporary and may be related to digestion, menstruation, or a transient infection.
1. Digestive problems
The causes of Stomach aches after eating include:
- indigestion ;
- flatulence ;
- constipation ;
- diarrhea ;
- food poisoning ;
- Food allergies and intolerances.
2. inflammation
Organ irritation or infection may cause temporary inflammation, such as:
- stomach flu ;
- Stomach ulcer disease ;
- gastric reflux ;
- Urinary tract infection.
3. menstruation
Most of the time, women’s Stomach ache is related to their menstrual cycle. The most common causes of suffering in women are:
- Cramps caused by menstruation;
- Heartache caused by ovulation.
Serious causes of Stomach ache
Sometimes abdominal pain indicates a serious medical problem that needs treatment. Pain in different areas may indicate the involvement of other organs. This section introduces the causes of heartache in other abdomen regions.
1. Pain in the upper right abdomen
The upper right side of the abdomen is where the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts are located. The right kidney is behind this part, and the first parts of the small and large intestines pass through it.
Upper right abdominal pain is most likely caused by liver disease or gallbladder disease, such as:
- hepatitis (alcoholic, toxic, metabolic, viral, or autoimmune);
- gallstones ;
- Cholecystitis ( inflammation of the gallbladder );
- bile duct cancer;
- gallbladder cancer;
- liver cancer
This pain may also be caused by a problem in the duodenum, colon, or right kidney, such as:
- kidney infection ;
- kidney stones ;
- duodenal ulcer ;
- Colon obstruction.
2. Pain in the upper left abdomen
This part is where the Stomach, pancreas, and spleen are located. The left kidney is also found behind the abdominal cavity, and the left heart and lung are just above it. Pain in the left upper abdomen may be caused by:
- pancreatitis ;
- pancreatic cancer ;
- Splenomegaly (enlarged spleen);
- gastritis;
- Ulcers;
- bile reflux;
- stomach cancer ;
- kidney infection;
- kidney stone.
If the pain is related to the chest, it may be caused by:
- heartburn;
- angina ;
- heart attack ;
- pericarditis;
- pneumonia ;
- pleurisy;
- pulmonary embolism ;
- Noncardiac chest pain.
3. Pain in the lower abdomen
The small and large intestines are in the lower part of the abdomen. Digestive diseases most likely cause lower abdominal pain. It may also involve the ureters, ovaries, or uterus. The causes of lower abdominal pain are:
- irritable bowel syndrome ;
- functional dyspepsia;
- Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s, intestinal colitis );
- Large or small bowel obstruction;
- small bowel cancer;
- colon cancer;
- abdominal aortic aneurysm;
- peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum);
- Mesenteric lymphadenitis (a type of inflammation of the lymph nodes in the abdomen);
- ischemic bowel syndrome;
- hernia ;
- kidney stone.
Pain caused by pelvic organs may be due to:
- endometriosis ;
- ovarian cyst ;
- pelvic inflammatory disease;
- ectopic pregnancy ;
- ovarian cancer ;
- uterine cancer
Lower left abdominal pain is usually caused by diverticulosis and diverticulitis of the large intestine. Although diverticula typically develop more down the left side, they can sometimes develop throughout the colon. Pain in the more down right side of the abdomen may also be related to the appendix.
Other causes
Other general causes of Stomach ache include:
- stress ( psycho-physical pains );
- visceral sensitivity;
- flatulence ;
- traumatic injuries;
- Stretching of the abdominal muscles;
- Shingles
Diagnosing Stomach ache
If you go to the doctor with heart pain, he will determine the cause and how to treat it by asking many questions about your pain. Some of the questions the doctor may ask are:
- Exactly which part of your Stomach hurts?
- What symptoms do you have?
- How long have you had this pain?
- How intense is the pain? Does it increase or decrease?
- With what words does the intensity of the rise in pain?
- What works make the situation better or worse?
- Have you noticed any changes in your urine?
- Have you made significant changes in your diet?
According to your answers, the doctor will know whether you need emergency treatment. Sometimes the doctor may say that your Stomach ache is temporary and prescribe some painkillers. Sometimes he may suspect a more severe condition and prescribe specific tests.
The doctor uses imaging tests such as MRI, ultrasound, and X-rays to see details of the abdomen’s organs, tissues, and other structures. These tests detect tumors, fractures, tears, and inflammation.
Other tests include:
- Colonoscopy (to view the inside of the colon and intestine);
- Endoscopy (to diagnose inflammation and abnormalities in the esophagus and Stomach);
- X-ray of the upper gastrointestinal tract;
- Blood, urine, and stool tests (to detect bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections ).
Treatment of Stomach ache
Stomach ache has different causes and treatments. Some diseases may require surgery, such as gallstones or appendicitis. Other issues, such as ulcers or infections, may be relieved with pain relievers. Your doctor may prescribe medications such as amitriptyline or trazodone to alleviate pain.
If your doctor determines that a specific disease or problem does not cause your heart pain, several home remedies may relieve the pain. These solutions include:
- ginger ;
- Chamomile tea ;
- Brat diet (banana, rice, applesauce, toast);
- peppermint ;
- apple cider vinegar ;
- heating pad;
- Hot water bath.
When should we see a doctor for Stomach ache?
If your pain is persistent or severe for no reason, or if you are injured or pregnant, see your doctor and seek prompt treatment for heart pain. Also, if any of these symptoms accompany Stomach ache, see a doctor:
- persistent fever;
- persistent nausea or vomiting ;
- blood in stool or urine;
- Swelling and sensitivity to touch;
- Yellow eyes and skin;
- pain in any other part of the body;
- Shortness of breath or symptoms that worsen over time.
you say
Have you recently had a Stomach ache? What was the cause, and what solution did you use to improve it? What do you think is good to eat for anguish? Please share your valuable comments and experiences with us and our dear users.
Warning! This article is only for educational purposes. To use it, it is necessary to consult a doctor or specialist.
