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Health

Pain under the spoon

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Discomfort in the epigastric/epigastric region (the area below the xiphoid process, corresponding to the projection of the stomach onto the abdominal wall) is commonly called pain in the pit of the stomach.

If we draw an imaginary horizontal line at the level of the lower edge of the ribs, and also outline the bottom of the costal vaults, the resulting triangular area will correspond to the epigastrium.

Pain in the pit of the stomach, depending on the localization of the clinical syndrome, serves as a guide for establishing a diagnosis.

Causes pains under the spoon

The exact location of the pain syndrome helps to identify the disease, and therefore the causes of pain under the spoon.

Diseases that cause discomfort in the epigastric region:

  • pain in the right hypochondrium may be caused by damage to the diaphragm, duodenum, esophagus, part of the stomach, dysfunction of the liver and bile ducts, pancreas, problems with the cardiac and pulmonary systems;
  • pain on the left is the cause of hiatal hernia, pancreatitis or gastritis. Discomfort occurs with constipation, diseases of the spleen, large intestine, as well as problems with the lungs, pyelonephritis, urinary system disorders;
  • acute appendicitis;
  • attack of pancreatitis;
  • myocardial infarction in gastralgic form;
  • inflammatory processes (pleurisy) or air accumulation (pneumothorax) in the pleura;
  • purulent peritonitis (infection of the abdominal area and intestinal paresis);
  • ulcer perforation;
  • hepatic colic;
  • infectious diseases;
  • intoxication;
  • Crimean hemorrhagic fever (caused by ticks);
  • typhus.

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Symptoms

An attack of appendicitis occurs with a sharp, constant type of pain under the pit of the stomach and spreading to the umbilical area. Then the pain is localized in the iliac zone with significant muscle tension.

Pain under the pit of the stomach of a girdle type is a consequence of acute pancreatitis. Deterioration occurs after eating fatty foods and alcohol. Frequent vomiting of bile is observed, which does not alleviate the condition.

In the gastralgic form of myocardial infarction, a rather acute pain initially appears in the epigastric region, covering the cardiac region and the scapula. A decrease in pressure, an increased and arrhythmic pulse are noted. The patient maintains a sedentary state to reduce the pain.

Basal pneumonia (location of the focus - lower segments of the lungs) and pleurisy occur with acute pain syndrome, which intensifies with breathing and coughing. The disease is described by a rapid pulse, noise and wheezing in the sternum, abdominal tension and an increase in temperature to 40 ° C.

Symptoms of pain in the pit of the stomach with spontaneous pneumothorax are localized in the chest on the left or right.

An attack of "dagger" pain in the epigastric region describes purulent peritonitis, which occurs with a through defect in the intestinal or gastric wall (ulcer perforation). The disease is accompanied by muscle tension. Over time, the pain subsides.

The condition of perforation of the ulcer of the posterior gastric wall is characterized by cutting pain if the outpouring occurs in the peritoneal cavity. Filling of the omental bursa has less pronounced pain.

Pain in the epigastrium during palpation, along with nausea, vomiting, and severe weakness are symptoms of an exacerbation of duodenitis (inflammation of the duodenum).

Cramping, sharp pain under the pit of the stomach, radiating to the hypochondrium on the right side, subsiding after taking antispasmodics, accompanies hepatic colic.

Symptoms of intoxication:

  • headaches, dizziness, general weakened state;
  • high temperature, chills;
  • state of nausea, vomiting;
  • diarrhea;
  • fainting spells, convulsions.

Crimean hemorrhagic fever is associated with a gag reflex, moderate fever symptoms, and pain in the epigastric region.

Pain in the pit of the stomach after eating

The most common diseases such as gastritis, stomach ulcer and duodenal ulcer are indicated by pain under the spoon after eating. Symptoms of diseases with increased acidity are pain, heartburn, "sour" belching. Patients with decreased acidity note a feeling of heaviness, fullness of the stomach, nausea, belching. Pain syndrome can also appear on an empty stomach, which is more typical of problems with the duodenum.

A cutting pain in the epigastric area after eating is a sure sign of exacerbation of pancreatitis. The pain is constant, up to several hours, sometimes days. The intensity of the pain depends on the stage of the disease, often radiating to the back, hypochondrium. The pain is of a girdle nature. Increased pain under the spoon is observed if you take a horizontal position on your back, and bending forward, on the contrary, reduces the pain. The disease occurs with dry mouth, nausea, hiccups, belching, vomiting, diarrhea. The patient often loses his appetite, and he loses a lot of weight. In a critical condition, blood pressure drops, the pulse quickens, there is an increase in temperature and shortness of breath.

Aching pain in the pit of the stomach

A "sucking" feeling in the pit of the stomach is a reminder from the body about the need to eat. This sensation often accompanies a state of heightened anxiety, nervous experience. Aching pain in the pit of the stomach of a pulling type, especially after a meal, is a clear sign of gastritis.

The disease occurs if:

  • there was an unpleasant smell from the mouth, belching appeared;
  • a decrease or loss of appetite is noted;
  • aching/sucking in the epigastrium.

An insidious disease – stomach cancer may not manifest itself for quite a long time. The symptoms of the early stages of the disease are similar to chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, pancreatitis or cholecystitis. Many patients self-medicate and seek help only at the acute stage, when treatment is difficult or impossible.

Stomach cancer is characterized by pain under the pit of the stomach, often aching and very strong. The pain may be tied to food intake: it may occur after eating or on an empty stomach. Some patients experience a change in food preferences or a complete loss of appetite. Vomiting contents similar to coffee grounds and black stool are dangerous signs that may indicate gastric bleeding. Patients complain of general weakness and rapid fatigue.

A hernia of the white line of the abdomen also provokes aching pain not associated with food intake. When the abdomen is tense, a tubercle stands out, which disappears with relaxation.

Severe pain in the pit of the stomach

A signal from the body that should never be ignored is a severe pain in the pit of the stomach. Acute pain syndrome can overtake you both at rest and during periods of maximum physical or mental activity. Such pain may indicate a myocardial infarction. States of dizziness, active sweating, unreasonable fear of death are indicative symptoms. The pain often affects the arm, jaw, and back.

Acute, sometimes encircling pain indicates an exacerbation of pancreatitis. It should be noted that the location of the pain can be used to judge the nature of the disease. If severe pain is localized on the left, then the cause of discomfort is the tail of the pancreas. Encircling pain indicates damage to the entire organ.

Ulcers of the stomach and duodenum occur with sharp, acute, burning, stabbing pain. Studies have shown that men suffer from this disease twice as often as women.

Dull pain in the pit of the stomach

The process of acute gastric atony is a rare disease in which the muscle tone of the stomach is disturbed and it stretches. The disease can be reflexive in nature or appear as a result of myocardial infarction, peritonitis, pneumonia, thrombosis of the gastric vessels and a number of infectious lesions. Previous surgery, recovery from anesthesia can lead to gastric atony.

The condition is characterized by a dull pain in the pit of the stomach, heaviness, a feeling of a full stomach, and hiccups. Vomiting with greenish liquid is noted. The symptoms develop rapidly, often leading to a disruption of the blood supply to the stomach walls, and the possibility of their rupture.

Chronic gastritis with increased secretion is characterized by dull, aching pain in the epigastric region. Symptoms include: heartburn, sour belching, a bursting or pressing feeling in the pit of the stomach, constipation, and, less often, vomiting. Exacerbation usually occurs after eating, when drinking alcohol, or when not following a diet.

Pain under the right pit of the stomach

Paroxysmal, severe pain under the right pit of the stomach is characteristic of biliary colic when the process of bile outflow is disrupted. The pain is caused by the muscles trying to overcome the barrier created by sand/stone. A factor in the development of the disease can be a mucous mass in cholecystitis, dysfunction of the bile ducts, tumor processes.

The condition is aggravated by dietary errors - immoderate, excessively fatty, fried food, carbonated drinks, alcoholic beverages, shaking in transport, physical and mental stress. Pain in the epigastric region on the right moves to the back, the right side of the sternum, the area above the collarbone, the shoulder blade and the right arm. Patients often complain of flatulence, constipation, yellowing of the skin, fever, nausea. The vomiting process does not bring relief.

Sharp pain in the pit of the stomach

The symptoms of pain in pancreatitis can be so severe that the patient often loses consciousness during an attack. Inflammatory disease of the pancreas is insidious in its rapid development. Acute pain under the pit of the stomach appears suddenly, covers the back area, hypochondrium on the left side.

The pain associated with pancreatitis varies daily: it is usually not detected before midday. Then the pain begins to intensify, reaching its peak at night. By changing the position of the body, one can feel the whole range of unpleasant sensations – from strong pressure to unbearable burning and drilling in a lying position. The pain syndrome decreases when sitting.

Urgent medical intervention is required, otherwise the crisis may result in death due to pain shock.

The most dangerous consequence of pancreatitis is peritonitis, which is characterized by the filling of the peritoneum with pancreatic enzymes during its rupture.

The formation of a false cyst is manifested by acute pain in the epigastric region and digestive dysfunction.

Cancerous, infectious processes, intoxication, appendicitis also lead to the development of acute, sharp pain syndromes in the epigastric region.

Pain under the pit of the stomach when inhaling

An indicative symptom when diagnosing renal colic is pain when inhaling under the pit of the stomach, radiating to the right hypochondrium and spreading to the entire abdomen.

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine may initially be mistaken for lung or heart disease. Constant, aching pain intensifies when inhaling and sneezing. Associated symptoms: a feeling of "goosebumps" on the skin, tingling, numbness, limited motor function of the arms, crunching when moving the shoulders.

Problems with the pulmonary and cardiac systems are accompanied by limited mobility of the ribs and pain when breathing in the epigastric region. For example, with myocardial infarction, angina, pneumonia or pleurisy.

The localization of pain depends on which part of the lung is affected. Common pulmonary symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, etc.) are accompanied by pain during breathing.

Pain and burning sensation in the pit of the stomach

Complaints about a burning sensation, belching, heaviness after eating, rapid satiety are recognized as the most common among residents of all countries. Unpleasant symptoms interfere with active life, force to change taste preferences, reduce the quality of life.

This phenomenon is called functional dyspepsia. The mechanism of development of the disease includes changes in the motility of the stomach and duodenum. The causes of the disease are considered to be:

  • smoking;
  • alcohol consumption;
  • pharmacological agents (including aspirin);
  • hypersensitivity of the stomach;
  • reactions from the peripheral and central nervous systems.

Dyspepsia is always accompanied by pain and burning in the pit of the stomach. Some patients describe the burning sensation as a manifestation of heat. And the pain can be perceived as a state of tissue damage. When all symptoms are detected, it is necessary to exclude the presence of organic pathology.

Acute gastritis is characterized by a burning sensation and pain in the epigastric region of varying intensity. Patients report an unpleasant taste in the mouth, bloating, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. The disease may be accompanied by herpes and fever. Sometimes the primary symptom in diagnosis is vascular collapse (a state of vascular insufficiency). Acute gastritis develops rapidly, but does not last long (up to 5 days).

Who to contact?

Treatment pains under the spoon

Before prescribing treatment for pain in the pit of the stomach, a thorough examination is carried out to identify the causes of pain and establish an accurate diagnosis. For this purpose, data is collected from the patient about the manifestation and localization of pain, associated symptoms, lifestyle and medications taken. The following studies are also necessary:

  • general blood test;
  • tests that determine liver and kidney function;
  • general urine analysis;
  • analysis of the functionality of the gallbladder and pancreas;
  • stool test to detect occult blood;
  • X-ray methods;
  • ECG (to determine the state of the cardiac system);
  • Ultrasound of the abdominal organs;
  • endoscopy (fibrogastroduodenoscopy);
  • gastric intubation (to study secretion).

Treatment of pain under the pit of the stomach is based on the data obtained and the diagnosed cause of its occurrence. The treatment regimen may be aimed at combating the underlying cause or reducing symptoms. Some conditions require immediate surgical intervention - cancerous tumors, ulcers, an attack of acute appendicitis, ruptures of the integrity of internal organs, etc.

Medicines for therapeutic and supportive purposes are prescribed by a specialist. The patient is required to strictly follow all recommendations.

Prevention

Prevention of pain under the spoon includes:

  • weight control (if you are overweight, you should take action);
  • building a rational diet (food should be rich in fiber, avoid fried foods, divide food into small portions with more frequent intake);
  • maintaining moderation in physical activity;
  • absence of foods in the diet that provoke an attack (alcohol, foods with emulsifiers, dyes and other additives);
  • drinking water in small sips;
  • rest after meals for up to 30 minutes;
  • training in relaxation techniques and control of nervous breakdowns;
  • quitting smoking;
  • walks in the fresh air;
  • health resort treatment.

"Life" and "belly" are ancient Slavic words with an equal sign. The condition of the abdominal organs largely determines daily activity and the joy of human life. It is difficult to smile when the pain in the pit of the stomach "twists", constrains movement, and causes excruciating sensations. But what if it swells so much that the pain is felt even when motionless?

There can be many reasons for pain in the pit of the stomach. If you have avoided the fate of emergency hospitalization, do not postpone your visit to the doctor. The best prevention is the detection of the disease at an early stage.

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