Pain in the intestines

Pain in the intestine is manifested by a specific sensation of discomfort, distress and pain in the abdomen. These pains are usually associated with functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract as a result of injuries or diseases. There are important facts about this pain that everyone should know.

[1], [2], [3]

Possible causes of abdominal pain

• Pneumonia (pneumonia)
• Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
• Pleurisy (irritation of the mucous membrane around the lungs)
• Pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lungs)

Functional abdominal area problems:

• Non-ulcer dyspepsia (discomfort after eating, but not because of an ulcer, but for other reasons)
• Sphincter dysfunction
• Problems with the bile duct valve
• Functional abdominal pain (pain in the intestine without a clear cause)
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (pain associated with bowel movements)

Cancer of the upper abdomen:

• Hepatitis (liver cancer)
• Cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct problem or gallbladder cancer)
• Pancreas cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Lymphoma (cancer of immune cells)

[4], [5]

Vascular problems:

• Mesenteric problems of vascular insufficiency (plugging of arteries or veins)
• Aneurysm of the abdominal aorta (tumor of the main arteries in the abdomen)

Inflammatory diseases in the middle and lower abdomen:

• Enteritis (small intestine infection, Crohn's disease)
• Colitis (infection or inflammation of the large intestine)
• Diverticulitis (inflammation of the sacs that form in the large intestine)
• Appendicitis

Intestinal obstruction:

• Spikes (scars on the abdomen, which have lost shape after surgery or become inflamed)
• Tumor
• Inflammation
• Colon cancer
• Pain in the urinary tract:
• Stones in the kidneys
• Urinary tract infections (kidney, bladder)
• Tumors of the kidney or bladder

Pelvic problems in women:

• Ovarian Cysts
• Cancer
• Infection of tubes (salpingitis)
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Myoma of a tumor of the uterus
• Malignant tumors of the uterus or cervix
• Endometriosis
• Spikes (scars)

Although there are several possible causes of pain in the intestines and abdominal pain, intestinal pain has seven most common causes:

• Intestinal diseases
• Food poisoning
• Gases
• An upset stomach or heartburn
• Pain in abdominal muscle
• Menstrual pain
• Constipation

These bodies include:

• Organs associated with digestion - the stomach, tissues at the end of the esophagus, small and large intestine, liver, gallbladder and pancreas.
• The abdominal aorta is a large blood vessel that runs straight from the chest into the abdominal cavity.
• Kidneys are two organs in the form of a bean, which lie deep in the abdominal cavity.

However, there are cases when the pain can come from another place, for example, the chest or pelvic region. It can also be a generalized infection, such as the flu or sore throat, affecting the entire body. In addition, the pain of intestinal origin can be localized anywhere, since the abdominal boundaries are quite large. The abdomen is an anatomical area that borders on the lower edge of the ribs and above, the pelvic bones on each side. Therefore, pain can give to these areas and be quite strong.

Reflected pain in the intestine

In rare cases, the pain in the intestines, which is felt in the abdomen, is not associated with the organs of the abdominal cavity. There is a theory that explains this simply: abdominal pain has an unusual ability to travel through deep neural pathways and go out on sites far from the source of the problem. For example, the lower part of the lungs, the kidneys, the uterus and the ovaries can project pain in the abdomen. This type of pain is called irradiative, reflected or wandering pain, because although it is localized outside the abdominal cavity, it is just a problem in the abdominal region.

Some of the examples of reflected pain:

• The right shoulder can project pain on the diaphragm, gall bladder, liver capsule ...
• The left shoulder can project pain on the diaphragm, spleen, part of the pancreas, stomach, spleen flexure, lungs ...
• Pain in the right scapula can radiate into the gallbladder, biliary tract ...
• Pain in the left scapula can irradiate into the spleen, part of the pancreas

Pain in the intestines can also be:

Visceral, associated with organs that spasmodic

The intestinal pain associated with the area in the lower abdomen - it is often sharp, has a steady character. The pain that arises from inflammation in the abdomen is quite stable. This pain exacerbates the tension in the peritoneum as a result of positional changes.

Pain associated with abdominal vascular disorders (thrombosis or embolism) may be sudden or gradual at the beginning, and severe or moderate at the end. Pain associated with rupture of the aneurysm of the abdominal aorta can be irradiated to the back, side or genitals.

The problem is that the intensity of pain does not always reflect the seriousness of the condition that causes it. That's why every pain should be reported to the doctor, and as soon as possible. The severity of the condition has more in common with the suddenness of pain, especially if it is a sharp pain localized in one region, rather than common throughout the abdominal cavity.

Pain in the abdominal wall:

• Shingles (infection due to herpes zoster)
• Inflammation of the cartilage of the rib
• Trauma (due to which the muscles are pulled)
• Nerve irritation (neuropathy)
• Hernias
• Scars
• Inflammatory diseases of the upper abdomen:
• Ulcer disease (duodenal ulcer, stomach ulcer)
• Esophagitis (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
• Gastritis (irritation of the gastric mucosa)
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder)
• Choledocholithiasis (passage of stones in the gallbladder through the bile duct)
• Hepatitis (infection or inflammation of the liver)
• Colitis (infection or inflammation of the large intestine)

Localization of intestinal pain

Pain around the navel

Pain that is localized around the navel can be associated with a small bowel disorder or inflammation of the appendix. This disease is called appendicitis. The site of pain is a small, thick few fingers, an organ that protrudes outward from the colon in the right lower abdomen. If the course of food on it is difficult, inflammation can develop and the appendix will be filled with pus.

Pain above the middle abdomen

The central region of the abdomen is called the epigastric region. Pain in this area in most cases is associated with stomach disorders. Persistent pain in this area can also signal a problem with the duodenum, pancreas or gall bladder.

Pain in the upper left abdomen

Although people rarely experience pain in the place where it really is present, it can be assumed that this is a problem with the colon, stomach, spleen and pancreas.

Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen

Inflammation of the gallbladder often causes severe pain in the right upper abdomen.

Pain in lower abdomen

The pain below the navel can mean that there are signs of a colon disease. In women, pain in this area may also indicate a urinary tract infection or pelvic inflammatory disease.

Pain in lower left abdomen

Pain in this part of the abdominal cavity most often indicates a problem in the lower part of the large intestine. There are several conditions that can affect the condition of this area, such as inflammatory bowel disease or infections in the colon, known as diverticulitis.

Pain in the lower right side of the abdomen

Inflammation of the large intestine can cause pain in the lower right side of the abdomen. Pain in appendicitis can also spread to the right lower abdomen.

How to understand the nature of pain in the intestines?

Pain in the abdomen can be a manifestation of various diseases, including the intestines, and with this, rarely a person can say that the pain comes from the intestine.

Despite the fact that both intestinal pains and abdominal pain can be localized in abdominal wall tissues that surround the abdominal cavity, the term "abdominal pain" is usually used to describe pains emanating from the abdominal organs.

Types of pain in the intestine

Pain in the abdomen can be acute and sudden at the beginning or chronic and prolonged at the end.

By the intensity of pain in the abdomen can be minor and do not worry especially a person, or they can reflect the main problems associated with one of the abdominal organs.

When a person needs to worry about his condition?

The patient should know that pain in the intestine is always an abnormal condition, but do not panic. Although some types of pain may indicate a serious illness, it is not always necessary in this case to have emergency medical care. But moderate pain or chronic pain should still be discussed with the doctor. Severe pain should be diagnosed as soon as possible. Therefore, with severe pain in the intestine, you must always go to the clinic.

Some of the serious symptoms of intestinal pain are

• fever
• diarrhea,
• resistant constipation,
• blood in the stool,
• persistent nausea or vomiting,
• vomiting with blood,
• severe pain in the abdomen,
• jaundice
• swelling in the abdomen

Treatment of pain in the intestines

The drugs most commonly used for this purpose are:

Antidepressants, such as, for example, amitriptyline. These drugs can be taken in very low doses to minimize side effects.

Anti-inflammatory drugs. Sometimes these drugs are used to reduce inflammation or affect the work of the internal organs, thereby relieving pain.

Analgesics. Sometimes pain should be treated with drugs that reduce pain in the intestines.

Tips for reducing intestinal pain

Intestinal diseases, food poisoning or pain in the abdominal muscles in children can be eliminated by heating the tummy in a hot bath.

Pain in the intestines due to gases - here you should apply a tummy massage to try to dislodge the gas bubbles together. A warm bath can help with this tricky business.

An upset stomach or heartburn - there will help drugs such as antacids, which are usually used to relieve heartburn. Drinking warm milk can also soothe heartburn.

Pain in the intestines is a symptom that very seriously indicates any disease. This pain can be reduced or cured, you just need to see a doctor in time.