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Pain after eating in the left hypochondrium: dull, aching, pressing, front, single
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Pain after eating in the left hypochondrium can be the result of a variety of disorders, abnormalities in the body's functioning, and even diseases. It is for this reason that in no case can you ignore your body signals telling you that certain processes in the system do not work as expected.
Pain in the left hypochondrium speaks of possible dysfunctions of the heart and stomach, pancreas and spleen, but now we will isolate a separate kind of pain - this is pain in the left hypochondrium after eating. Pain in the left hypochondrium in nature can also be different: cutting, blunt, acute and spasmodic. It is very important to understand how the pain syndrome manifests itself and how much the manifestation of pain is, because the information about it will give the doctor the opportunity to correctly diagnose and begin treatment.
And now carefully read and remember what can cause such pain, what are the symptoms of some diseases associated with it, and also learn how to diagnose and treat it. And after that, always consult a doctor and do not do self-treatment.
The most common causes of pain under the ribs on the left side after eating can be:
- Habits of power. Many fans of fast food complain of pain of this type after eating. This is due to the fact that when cooking potatoes - fries or fried patties, the oil on which these dishes are cooked, for the sake of economy, is changed very rarely. And when it is used for the third or even fourth time, the vegetable oil begins to turn into poison, releasing harmful carcinogens. This effect can be seen even with the unaided eye, looking into the fryer in any kiosk. The oil begins to change color from transparent-yellow, to dirty-brown, or even black. For this reason, lovers of food "on the go" most often suffer from ulcer diseases, and some of them know first hand what stomach cancer is.
- Alcohol abuse. No food intake can you do without "one hundred grams"? Then this can be one of the causes of pain after eating. In moderate doses, alcoholic beverages can stimulate the work of the digestive tract, but the dosage should not exceed fifty grams of vodka, cognac or a hundred grams of wine, in high doses alcohol not only cloud the mind, but also rapidly destroys healthy cells, terrorizes the pancreas and takes away your vital resources .
- Binge eating. Excessive love for delicious food can lead not only to obesity, but also to the appearance of pain after eating. When a person overeats, the walls of his stomach begin to stretch, which leads to a painful syndrome. Control the amount of food you can eat at a time, and you can get rid of not only the unpleasant weight in the stomach, but also save yourself from the appearance of excess weight.
- Injury. Not infrequently the result of pain after eating under the left rib may be a previously received physical injury. A bruise, stroke, conflict or mere negligence can permanently provide you with pain syndromes after any eating. As a result of the impact on the body of strong physical strength, hematomas, microfractures and cracks form inside that disrupt the normal painless work of the internal organs.
And now let's move on to more serious causes of pain after eating in the left hypochondrium:
- Gastritis is a disease associated with the inflammatory processes of the gastric mucosa, it is one of the most common and all known diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Usually, patients with gastritis do not experience pain after eating, but with reduced acidity, a dull and tedious pain signal of eating becomes the norm, and with increased acidity, pain occurs on an empty stomach.
- Peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum is a chronic disease that appears, as a rule, as a result of eating disorders, nervous overstrain, smoking and alcohol abuse. A very important role is played by the hereditary predisposition to ulcerous formations in the duodenum. The main signs of peptic ulcer disease, usually there are pain in the pancreas, and with duodenal ulcer there is aching and exhausting pain in the left hypochondrium, extending to the left scapula or back. With duodenal ulcer, nausea and vomiting may occur, and body weight decreases due to decreased appetite.
- Acute pancreatitis is a disease of the pancreas, usually accompanied by cholelithiasis and appears as a result of excess weight, addiction to alcohol, problem pregnancy. It can also become a side effect after acute poisoning, or ingestion of parasites. It is very likely that recurrence of the acute form of pancreatitis can occur immediately after a dense dinner with a large amount of alcohol, because the affected pancreas reacts very strongly to the addictive habits of the patient. At the time of exacerbation, the pain is so strong that the patient can lose consciousness or even die from a painful shock. And if pancreatitis has purulent complications, then the temperature will necessarily rise. Often after eating, vomiting occurs.
- Chronic pancreatitis progresses much more slowly and affects such large areas than its acute form. However, it can bring a lot of discomfort to the patient. Pain in this form of pancreatitis is dull, aching, usually based in the epigastric region and under the ribs on the left side. Patients with chronic pancreatitis are always prescribed a diet, which must be strictly adhered to, but if the patient's dinner was not on the specified menu, but as the soul wants, the pain in the left hypochondrium will not take long. Usually periods of exacerbations of chronic pancreatitis are replaced by remissions. If an attack of pancreatitis occurs, you should immediately call an ambulance. This is a necessary measure, because the patient will need further hospitalization, care specialists. And sometimes the only true solution is an operation whose outcome is ambiguous.
- Irregularities in the diaphragm can be one of the causes of painful spasms in the left hypochondrium. Hernia or pinching of the diaphragm can cause painful spasm on the left side under the ribs. Immediately after eating, the patient has shortness of breath, nausea may begin, and then vomiting.
Based on the above reasons for the appearance of pain in the left hypochondrium after eating, we can conclude that it is very important to determine the type of pain that the diagnosis should be correct and the treatment effective. Therefore further speech will go directly about a symptomatology of a pain:
- The dull aching and exhausting pain syndrome after eating under the ribs on the left is a clear sign of such severe diseases as gastritis, stomach cancer and ulcer diseases. These non-comforting diagnoses are also determined with concomitant symptoms of vomiting, vomiting, decreased appetite, diarrhea, bitter eructations. Especially cancer associated symptoms: a sharp decrease in weight, depression, jaundice of the face and eye proteins, as a sign of intoxication, as well as a sharp dislike for individual foods, weakness and disability.
- Severe acute pain after eating in the left hypochondrium, leading to loss of consciousness - a sign of pancreatitis and abuse of fried foods and alcohol, is also one of the signs of duodenal ulcer. Such pain can spread to the left shoulder blade or back.
- Stitching pain occurs as a result of disruption of the diaphragm and manifests itself as a consequence of the injuries sustained. Often it is accompanied by shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting.
Who to contact?
It should always be remembered that any pain has its root cause, and only an experienced specialist can determine it. The initial examination is always conducted by the general practitioner, and after the diagnosis, he directs the patient for examination to a doctor of narrow specialization. Depending on the cause of the pain, the patient can refer to the following specialists:
- To the gastroenterologist.
- To the oncologist.
- The surgeon.
- The endocrinologist.
- Traumatologist.
After the patient has decided on the specificity of the disease, the specialist doctor must make a final diagnosis, which is put in four stages:
- Questioning the patient, or as it is otherwise called professionals - anamnesis. As a result of the survey, the doctor should receive detailed information about the patient's past, chronic and hereditary diseases.
- Palpation is a method of examining a patient using tactile contact.
- Diagnosis of skin and mucous membranes, as well as of the eyes and tongue.
- Laboratory examination with further hospitalization.
Nothing will protect your internal organs, such as the lungs, heart, spleen and pancreas, better than the left hypochondrium, since it is a reliable shield given to us by nature. The disease of these organs is very bad for the general work of the body, so their treatment does not require urgent. And the best solution with the appearance of the above symptoms, will be a timely trip to the doctor.
Independently treating a person with a disease is highly discouraged, but to relieve the pain syndrome before the arrival of a doctor or before transportation to the hospital it is possible with the help of:
- But-shpa - take strictly according to the prescription: two tablets no more often than three times a day.
- Nitroglycerin: one pill is taken under the tongue or three drops of liquid nitroglycerin per slice of the refined sugar.
If the pain from the painkillers has passed, this is not a reason to wave at her hand. Because she will certainly return again. Very often with acute pain, immediate surgical intervention is required. For example, an ulcer may open. In any case, you can not take risks, but you must use medical help.
When your doctor has already diagnosed and prescribed medication for you, you can start helping your body treat the treatment better. People's recipes will help you in this. Be sure to consult with your doctor before starting to use herbal mixtures and decoctions, make sure that you do not have any allergies to certain ingredients of medicinal fees, so that additional treatment does not harm you. We bring to your attention several proven recipes for alternative medicine that will help you cope with pain in the left hypochondrium, not only after a meal, but also for a longer period:
In the fight against gastritis will help:
- In equal shares mix medicinal herbs: a yarrow ordinary, flowers of a calendula and a grass of a St. John's wort. To get the infusion, pour two tablespoons of a mixture of half a liter of boiling water and let it brew for an hour. Take one hundred grams each time for half an hour before meals.
- Tincture of propolis will help cure gastritis at home. Ten drops of propolis tincture dissolve in one hundred grams of water and take half an hour before meals. Tincture of propolis is so effective that it is used even in the treatment of peptic ulcer of stomach and duodenum.
In the fight against ulcers will help:
- Four times a day for six weeks you need to drink a glass of cabbage juice. It helps better than any medicine. You can, of course, replace with fresh tomato or sea buckthorn juice, but it's still not the same.
- Mumiyo is a quick and effective medicine for a stomach ulcer. Take 150 milliliters of mint broth and dissolve in it five grams of mummy. Take before breakfast and before going to bed, one teaspoon from ten to fifteen days.
In the fight against pancreatitis will help:
- Tincture of calendula will improve the condition of the pancreas, if you take it one teaspoon every day.
- It helps with pain in pancreatitis tincture of Echinacea and Eleutherococcus root.
- Grind one hundred grams of barberry and pour one liter of alcohol or vodka, let it brew for 1 week and drink one teaspoon daily.
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The pain syndrome and its causes are the result of the patient's lifestyle, his bad habits and behavior. To prevent the appearance of pain after eating in the left hypochondrium, you need to eat right and lead a healthy lifestyle. No fast food will be able to give you as much pleasure as you get from delicious homemade food. Harmful habits such as nicotine and alcohol are not only the causes of the appearance of pain - it's nails in the coffin of your health! If you want to live a long and happy life, do not artificially shorten it. Take care of your nerves so as not to earn an ulcer. After all, all our experiences and stresses primarily affect the stomach.
If you have already been diagnosed, you must strictly follow the treatment and follow a strict diet prescribed by your doctor. Otherwise, there may be a relapse of the disease, which will lead to very disappointing consequences.
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