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Pain in the stomach area
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
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Pain in the stomach area can indicate not only overeating or indigestion, but also quite serious illnesses.
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What causes pain in the stomach area?
Gastritis
Dystrophic changes caused by the inflammatory process of its mucous membrane are called gastritis. This disease is aggravated by improper diet and eating habits, excessive alcohol and nicotine consumption, and stressful situations. The development of the chronic form of the disease leads to a violation of the absorption of vitamins and nutrients necessary for the body. The main symptoms are a feeling of squeezing and distension after eating, heartburn, nausea, poor appetite, and an unpleasant taste in the mouth. For treatment, drugs are used that help reduce the production of hydrochloric acid and neutralize it - Maalox, Alma-gel, Gastrogel, Phosphalugel, etc. It is also possible to use drugs that stimulate gastrointestinal motility (domperidone, domrid, motoricum). It is imperative to prescribe a gentle diet with the exclusion of carbonated and colored water, fatty and spicy foods, alcohol, flour, too hot or too cold dishes. Eat fractionally - up to six times a day in small portions. If the development of gastritis is associated with an infection, a course of antibiotic therapy is prescribed.
Cholecystitis
Pain in the stomach area may be caused by inflammation of the gallbladder. As a result of insufficient functioning of the muscle fibers separating the intestine and the bile duct, microorganisms penetrate the gallbladder and, as a result, an inflammatory process develops. The main symptoms in the early stages of the disease are pain in the abdomen and right hypochondrium, pain can radiate to the right shoulder, there are also symptoms such as vomiting containing bile, fever, yellowing of the skin, rapid heartbeat, and dry tongue with the formation of a white coating. For diagnosis, duodenal intubation and bacteriological examination of bile are prescribed. Treatment of patients with cholecystitis is usually carried out in a hospital. The patient is prescribed bed rest and parenteral nutrition. If necessary, antibiotic therapy is prescribed. If conservative methods are ineffective, surgical intervention can be performed.
Pancreatitis
Pain in the stomach area may be associated with inflammation of the pancreas. The causes may be overeating, including irritating food (fatty, spicy, etc.) and fast food products, alcohol intoxication. Also, increased production of pancreatic juice is promoted by nervous overstrain. The main symptoms of the disease: pain in the epigastrium, in the hypochondrium, diffuse painful sensations in the abdomen, vomiting, bloating, constipation. During the treatment, the patient is shown absolute fasting, depending on the severity of the disease, surgical intervention may be prescribed.
Duodenitis
Inflammation of the duodenum may be accompanied by pain in the stomach area, as the duodenum produces hormones that have the ability to regulate the functioning of the digestive system and metabolism. Associated symptoms of this disease are loss of appetite, heartburn, constipation, belching, nausea, accompanied by vomiting containing bile. In the acute phase of the disease, pain in the stomach area becomes constant, can bother at night, accompanied by headache, general weakness of the body. Treatment of duodenitis depends on the causes that caused it, antibiotic therapy, drugs to reduce the level of hydrochloric acid, neutralize the acidity of gastric juice, normalize digestion can be prescribed. To relieve inflammation, it is advisable to use herbal infusions, for example, chamomile and yarrow.
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Ulcer
An ulcer is damage to the tissues of the internal walls of an organ, as a result of which they are corroded by gastric juice. The main causes of this disease are the following: Helicobacter pylori bacteria, alcohol abuse, genetic predisposition, poor nutrition, as well as long-term use of drugs that can provoke such a pathology. Characteristic symptoms of this disease are severe pain in the stomach, indigestion, vomiting, heartburn, belching. Treatment primarily depends on the cause of the disease. Antibiotics are used, drugs to reduce acidity, the use of alcoholic beverages, nicotine, strong tea and coffee, spicy and fatty foods is strictly contraindicated.
If you experience pain in the stomach area, consult a gastroenterologist.