Sore stomach - a serious reason to seek medical help

With a complaint that the stomach hurts, tens of thousands of patients visit the doctors every day. And the number of people who swallow the next painkiller pill and at the same time hope that “it will pass by itself” is much more.

The similarity of many complaints that the stomach, creates the illusion that you can get rid of this misfortune in the same way as someone from your relatives or acquaintances did. But the causes of pain can be very different...

Why does the stomach hurt?

It hurts the stomach or hurts in the stomach, because irritation of pain receptors of the mucous membrane of this zone of the digestive system occurs due to spasm or stretching of the smooth muscles of the stomach, inflammation of its tissues, as well as due to impaired blood supply.

Pain signals from the receptors of the stomach enter the sensory nuclei of the thalamus, an area of our brain in which all information from the sense organs and receptors is “laid out on the shelves.” Then the pain signals are sent to the cerebral cortex. There is a motivational and affective evaluation of these signals, and further... In general, as a result of the most complex biochemical metamorphosis, we are faced with gastralgia - pain in the stomach.

Why does the stomach hurt?

The causes of pain in the stomach or in the immediate vicinity are numerous. In gastroenterology, which deals with gastrointestinal diseases, the causes of stomach pain are divided into two groups.

The first group includes pains in the stomach that are directly related to the pathologies of this organ (gastritis, peptic ulcer, polyps, viral and bacterial infections, food poisoning, stress, malignant neoplasms, intolerance to certain products). The second group includes the painful sensations of this localization, which are the result of violations of the work not of the stomach, but of other organs entering the digestive system of the body. This is the esophagus (esophagitis), pancreas (pancreatitis), duodenum (duodenitis). This includes angina, pneumonia, diaphragm spasm and even cardiovascular diseases.

It should be borne in mind that the stomach hurts badly - with nausea, vomiting, sweating and general weakness (up to fainting and shock) - in case of poisoning with chemicals, mercury and heavy metals.

The nature of pain in the stomach and their key causes

If the stomach and head ache, plus stomach and abdominal distension, pain in the back and fatigue, then it may be associated with so-called irritable bowel syndrome. This is such a functional pathology of the intestine, in which there are no organic lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, but there is pain. And they are "masked" under the pain in the stomach.

Constantly hurts the stomach with malignant tumors. At the same time, the pain in the early stages of cancer is very insignificant, but even with small amounts of food eaten there is a feeling of fullness in the stomach. And the presence of dyspepsia and loss of appetite on this background should seriously disturb the person.

Severe stomach and diarrhea - signs of food poisoning, which can appear within half an hour after taking a poor-quality product, and can make themselves known much later. In addition to painful cramps in the area of the stomach and diarrhea, food errors include symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness, weakness.

Often, a stomach ache is very painful with infectious diseases such as viral gastroenteritis. In this disease, the pain has a character of spasms, and diarrhea can occur.

Why does the stomach hurt and there is heaviness in the stomach?

This nature of pain is often the case for those who have problems in the form of an insufficient amount of gastric juice produced by the cells of the stomach. In this case, the stomach hurts slightly, the pain is not clearly localized and is not associated with food intake. The feeling of discomfort in the hypochondrium is accompanied not only by the heaviness in the stomach, but also by loss of appetite and deterioration of general well-being. This happens with the pathologies of the thyroid gland, and also as a side effect of some drugs, for example, the same insulin.

By the way, a stomach ache after drugs is a frequent problem for those who are inclined to take medications for the slightest reason “without fear and reproach”. A classic example of strong medicinal irritation of the gastric mucosa is aspirin, cardiac glycosides, and medicines containing hormones.

Why does the stomach ache after eating?

After eating a stomach ache and in his area there is pressure, turning into severe pain? Besides, does the stomach and diarrhea hurt, and also does the stomach and bloating hurt? For these symptoms, we can assume that you have acute gastritis, that is, an acute form of inflammation of the gastric mucosa. According to experts, such pains subside after a few hours or within two to three days.

It hurts the stomach after eating and chronic gastritis. Gastritis is hypoacidal - with a reduced secretory function of the stomach, and hyperacid - with increased. In the first case, the stomach simply does not cope with the digestion of food, and a person complains that he has a stomach ache and belching (rotten) and that he has a stomach ache and nausea, and often diarrhea. But the pain spilled, and the patient can not accurately determine and tell the doctor "pain point".

In case of hyperacid chronic gastritis, the stomach is very sore right in the process of eating or immediately after it. The pain may last for a day. Other symptoms of this disease include belching (but not rotten), nausea, vomiting, and constipation.

Why does the stomach on the left hurt?

If the stomach hurts on the left (after 10–20 minutes from the beginning of the meal, especially fatty, acute or acidic), then it may be a peptic ulcer, which is characterized by spring and autumn exacerbations. With this diagnosis, a typical symptom - a stomach ache and heartburn, as well as sour belching and the same taste in the mouth. But nausea with gastric ulcer is extremely rare. In addition, with this disease, a person can almost with absolute precision show the place where the pain is concentrated. And for this symptom, doctors immediately distinguish the ulcer from gastritis. Especially since the ulcers also have a stomachache at night.

Why stomach pain on an empty stomach?

When the patient complains that he has a stomach ache, when he is hungry, the gastroenterologist is necessarily the clarifier when the pain begins. If the so-called “hungry pains” appear at night and immediately pass away as soon as a person eats or drinks something, then this is still the same peptic ulcer.

But when the stomach often hurts on an empty stomach in the first half of the day, and the stomach hurts in the evening (three hours after eating), and, as a rule, the stomach and right side (above the navel, closer to the edge of the ribs) - you can talk about the presence of inflammation of the duodenum (duodenitis) or even about a duodenal ulcer. Pay attention to the nature of the pain: with a duodenal ulcer, they are burning, drilling, dull or aching, the stomach hurts at night with an impact in the back area, after sleep the intensity of pain decreases. In addition, a person may feel heaviness in the stomach (as with overeating). Experts note that a violation of the process of acid production in the stomach plays an important role in the occurrence of this pathology.

Why does a stomach ache on nerve soil and in heart disease?

Pain in the stomach caused by stress and neurotic condition, accompanied by symptoms such as a feeling of heaviness and pain in the hypochondrium, belching, emetic urge and intestinal disorders. At the same time, the stomach hurts because of nervous conditions, regardless of meals, and the pain can become burning and quite strong with a sharp increase in emotional and mental stress.

It is all about enhancing the production of gastric hydrochloric acid in stressful situations and a high degree of innervation (that is, supplying nerves to tissues) of this organ. As a result, this can lead to erosions and ulcers of the gastric mucosa and trigger the development of gastrointestinal diseases such as gastritis and ulcers.

Pain in the epigastric region is possible with a heart attack. In clinical practice, this is called gastralgic form of myocardial infarction. As doctors say, on admission to a hospital in such situations, an incorrect diagnosis can be made: not a heart attack, but food intoxication or exacerbation of gastritis.

Why does the stomach ache before menstruation and during pregnancy?

Spasmodic pain in the stomach of neurotic etiology is directly related to the premenstrual syndrome (PMS). So if a woman has a stomachache before menstruation or a stomachache during menstruation, then the main reason for this is various disorders of her neuropsychiatric condition, as well as cyclic vascular and endocrine "shifts."

Why does the stomach ache during pregnancy? Because in the period of the restructuring of the whole organism, the exacerbation of all chronic diseases of a woman, especially inflammatory ones, is possible.

However, it often hurts the stomach during pregnancy and in healthy women who had not had any problems with the gastrointestinal tract before. Among the key factors of pain in the stomach in an interesting position: toxicosis, pressure on the stomach of the increasing uterus and muscle tension in the hypochondrium, overeating, and also untimely bowel movements. In most cases, for similar reasons, a stomach ache after delivery.

Stomach ache after weight lifting

It hurts the stomach after weight lifting - you need to go to the doctor for an appointment. The fact is that such symptoms can be characteristic of many diseases. If, in addition to the stomach, the stomach also hurts, the formation of a hernia may begin.

Similar symptoms may occur on the background of an inflamed appendicitis and even problems with the pelvic organs. Therefore, to postpone the visit to the doctor is not worth it. Pay attention to other signs. So, if you feel nausea and nagging pain in the side, then most likely these are problems with the abdominal organs.

Thus gastritis, cholecystitis, pancreatitis and other diseases can manifest themselves. When weight is lifted, a person adversely affects the affected area and thereby causes an unpleasant manifestation of symptoms. Delay with the diagnosis and treatment in this case is not worth it. The severity of the stomach is an unpleasant process that can signal the presence of problems with the digestive system.

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Where does the stomach ache?

The stomach hurts where it is located, that is, in the epigastric region of the abdominal cavity - in the left hypochondrium. The permanent location of this “bag” for the accumulation, mixing and partial digestion of food in anatomy is described using imaginary horizontal and vertical lines drawn through the navel. The stomach takes place just between these lines and the diaphragm (the muscle that separates the chest and abdominal cavity) and is shifted slightly to the left. The stomach has an "entrance" - directly from the esophagus, and the "exit" - straight into the duodenum, which is the beginning of the small intestine. So when a person complains that he has a stomach ache under the ribs, he clearly determines the location of this organ.

True, as noted by the doctors, often patients say that they have a stomach ache and a stomach ache. Indeed, if the stomach is sore and the pain spreads to the navel and to the entire abdomen, and nausea, vomiting and diarrhea join the pain, then, most likely, this is the result of consuming low-quality food, that is, food intoxication. Or a consequence of viral or bacterial infections. And when the stomach and lower abdomen hurts, the stomach and intestines ache, the presence of adhesions in the intestines is often diagnosed, in which its contents may again be in the stomach.

Often, the stomach hurts for a long time and there is tension in the lower abdomen during inflammation of the appendix of the cecum (appendicitis). It hurts the stomach and gives in the back with perforated gastric ulcer, especially when it is perforated into the pancreas. Doctors call the pain in perforated ulcer “dagger”, and it can lead to painful shock. In this case, the slightest delay in contacting the hospital can end in the saddest way.

How does the stomach hurt?

Pain in the stomach can be constant and recurrent, mild, moderate and severe (unbearable). They are pulling and aching, sharp and burning, stabbing and compressing. Doctors take into account how the stomach hurts when figuring out the causes of pain and making a diagnosis.

Pain localized in the epigastric region, according to the mechanism of occurrence is divided into visceral and somatic. Visceral appearing from irritation of nerve endings in the wall of the body and may be stitching and dull, and surrender (irradiate) in other parts of the abdominal cavity.

If the pain is acute, the stomach hurts when inhaling, and also becomes more intense when moving, for example, while walking, the stomach hurts, then it comes from irritation of the endings of the peritoneal spinal nerves - the membrane covering the inner walls of the abdominal cavity. And peritoneal irritation is the result of a pathological process. And this pain is called somatic. Usually it is constant and sharp and has a clear localization.

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What if my stomach hurts?

If you have a stomach ache and vomiting with diarrhea, a stomach ache and weakness due to indigestion or food error (when you know for sure that the whole thing is in low-quality food) you should take activated charcoal (for adults 1-2 g three times a day, for children 0.05 g per kilogram of body weight). With exacerbation of gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, as well as with non-specific ulcerative colitis, it can not be taken.

It is recommended to take Enterosgel in the form of an aqueous suspension: for adults and children over 14 years old - a tablespoon 3 times a day, children 5-14 years old - for dessert, and up to 5 years - a teaspoon three times a day. Contraindications - intestinal atony.

When the stomach hurts, you need to let it "unload", that is, a little starve. And in any case not to use dairy products.

If a child has a stomach ache, parents should know that the causes of stomach pain in childhood are not much different from the causes of gastralgia in adults. When a child's stomach pain lasts a day, and even more so when the stomach hurts a week, it is necessary to send to a doctor for examination and clarification of the causes.

What doctor will help if stomach ache? If your stomach has started to hurt, you should seek professional help from a gastroenterologist or surgeon. It is these doctors who will find out the cause of the pain of this localization and tell the patient what to do if the stomach hurts.

Among the recommendations of doctors - advice to quit smoking, abuse alcohol (primarily wine), not to eat fatty, fried and spicy foods, food from fast foods and semi-finished products, and not to get involved in painkillers. All these factors are more likely to cause gastralgia.

What to drink if the stomach hurts?

If the stomach hurts, then most often doctors are advised to take No-shpu or Almagel. No-shpa refers to antispasmodic drugs, tablets of 0.04 g are taken 2-3 times a day. But this medicine is contraindicated in hypertrophy of the prostate gland and increased intraocular pressure (glaucoma). In some people, No-shpa may cause side effects in the form of dizziness, palpitations, sweating, or dermatitis.

Almagel reduces the content of hydrochloric acid in the gastric juice and has a local anesthetic effect. Adults take the drug 1-2 teaspoons half an hour before meals and before bedtime. The analgesic effect begins 5 minutes after taking a single dose and lasts for an hour. In the case of severe pain, a single dose can be increased to three teaspoons, but the maximum daily dose does not exceed 16 teaspoons. The dose for children up to 10 years old is one third of the adult dose, and for children 10-15 years old - half. Amalgel is contraindicated in severe pathologies of the kidneys, individual hypersensitivity, as well as in lactating women and children under 1 month. In pregnancy, this drug should not be taken for more than three days. And the possible side effects of Amalgel are: taste disturbances, vomiting, nausea, spastic abdominal pain, constipation.

The drug Spazmil-M has a pronounced analgesic activity and reduces the tone of the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract. It is taken orally after a meal, washed down with a small amount of liquid. Dosage for adults and children over 15 years old - on a tablet 2-3 times a day. But when it is taken (as with all related analginum drugs) side effects can be observed: dry mouth, itching, skin rash, constipation, lowering blood pressure, tachycardia, dizziness, leukopenia, agranulocytosis, exacerbation of gastritis and stomach ulcers.

To relieve pain in the stomach, gastroenterologists recommend taking the anti-ulcer drug Ranitidine, which is prescribed to adults one tablet (0.15 g) twice a day (morning and evening) or two tablets at bedtime. In the latter case, the effect occurs after 25 minutes and lasts at least 12 hours. Ranitidine is well tolerated, side effects are rare (in the form of headache, dizziness, feelings of fatigue and skin rash). Among its contraindications are disorders of renal excretory function, pregnancy, breastfeeding and children under 14 years of age.

What can you eat if your stomach hurts?

For stomach pains, it is necessary to abandon spicy, fried and fatty foods, smoked meats, canned foods, sauces and mayonnaise, strong meat broths, alcoholic and carbonated drinks, as well as strong tea and coffee.

By the way, the coffee hurts the stomach of many fans of this drink. Caffeine contained in coffee increases the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. And catechol enzymes, getting into the stomach with a cup of aromatic coffee, are oxidized there to quinones, and they participate in the processes of biological oxidation of cells of the gastric mucosa.

What you can eat if your stomach hurts: steamed beef and veal; boiled turkey and kuryaninu (without skin); baked or steam lean sea fish; vegetable puree or boiled vegetables (except cabbage, sorrel, spinach, onion and garlic); mashed potatoes, pumpkin, cauliflower, carrots, zucchini; well boiled cereals (with the exception of millet), baked apples of sweet varieties, berry jelly.

Nutritionists warn that you should not eat radish and radish, beans, peas, lentils, mushrooms, liver, kefir, sour cream, nuts, citrus, chocolate, fresh bread and baking.

At the same time you need to eat warm food and in small portions up to six times during the day - for minimum stress of the stomach.

If you have a stomach ache and especially a stomach ache, any doctor will tell you that this is a serious symptom. And here, taking an anesthetic pill will solve only one problem: it will ease or for some time eliminate pain. But to be healthy, this is clearly not enough.

Aviation pilots have the notion of a “point of no return”, when the speed of the plane’s run-up does not allow it to cancel its take-off... There is no need to bring the disease to a similar stage: contact the doctors on time and be healthy.