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Health

Intestinal pain

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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All diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, with rare exceptions, are accompanied by pain. However, intestinal pain has some differences from gastric pain. Knowledge of these differences allows you to establish the correct diagnosis in time, in severe cases, to provide correct, adequate pre-medical care.

The main thing to remember is the following: intestinal pains are never associated with food intake (except for inflammation of the colon and transverse intestine), intensify before the act of defecation (can occur during and after defecation), pass right after or after the release of the intestine from gases in flatulence. Here, in fact, and all the differences.

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Diseases that cause intestinal pain

All problems with the intestine arise from the violation of his peristalsis, that is, movement. In the normal state, the walls of the intestine are in constant motion, so that the food lump moves, mixes and is eliminated from the body. In those cases when the movement is disturbed, the food lump stops at one place, which is why obstruction develops. The intestine is not emptied, digestion does not pass, there is an intestinal pain with the subsequent development of the inflammatory process. In addition to intestinal obstruction, soreness in the intestinal region can occur in the following diseases:

  • inflammatory bowel disease. With some diseases, the pain is stitching, short-term and paroxysmal. Others are accompanied by persistent, persistent aching pain, which tend to increase during sharp movements, coughing attacks. Pains of this kind are fairly stable, exerting an exhausting effect on a person;
  • intestinal obstruction and inflammation of the sigmoid colon give acute pain in the left flank with localization in the lower abdomen;
  • appendicitis, cancerous tumors and inflammation of the intestine (tiflit) cause pain in the right side - the nature of pain from minor and aching, to acute and paroxysmal;
  • enteritis (inflammation of the small intestine), colitis and colon cancer are accompanied by pain, with the main localization in the navel;
  • cancer and inflammation of the rectum - intestinal pain in the perineal region. The pain intensifies at or immediately after bowel movement (act of defecation);
  • inflammation of the rectus and sigmoid colon give a strong pain before the act of defecation;
  • sharp sharp pain during the act of defecation occur with hemorrhoidal exacerbations, cancer and inflammation of the rectum.

Constant and paroxysmal pains in the intestine area are often interspersed with pains of an irradiative nature:

  • when dysentery pain gives in the region of the sacrum;
  • In the chest (in the heart) give intestinal colic to irradiation, causing suspicion of angina pectoris;
  • appendicitis - pain giving in the right leg.

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Diagnosis of intestinal pain

With any painful symptom in the abdomen, with any of their localization, it is first of all necessary to consult a doctor. The fact is that inflammation of the abdominal cavity organs is dangerous due to its complications and even minor intestinal pain may be the first sign of appendicitis. If you do not pay attention to her in time, you can provoke a rupture of the appendix, the outflow of its contents into the abdominal cavity and its subsequent inflammation - peritonitis. The result can be fatal. Therefore, sharp paroxysmal pains, persistent and aching, spasms in one of the sides is an indicator of disorders in the intestine. To detect problematic zones, it is necessary to do an x-ray of the abdominal organs with a contrast agent and a general blood test. Additionally, an ultrasound of the abdominal organs is prescribed.

There are a number of indicators, which, with an external examination of the patient, indicate the development of problems with the intestine:

  • dry, white-coated tongue;
  • when examining the abdomen, his uneven swelling is detected;
  • with palpation of the abdomen, intestinal pain increases;
  • in some cases, peristalsis of the intestine (movement of the intestines) is visible to the naked eye, strong and frequent rumbling;
  • in neglected conditions, there are no sound and motor manifestations from the intestinal side;
  • pronounced symptom of "irritated peritoneum" - with a slight touch to the front abdominal wall there is soreness, which "diffuses" throughout the abdomen.

With bowel problems, you should consult a gastroenterologist, a proctologist or an oncologist, depending on the results of the diagnostic studies.

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Treatment of intestinal pain

Problems with the intestine can occur for various reasons. In those cases when pathology or inflammation have an insignificant degree of development, the following are shown:

  • correct, balanced diet, tailored to suit individual characteristics;
  • drug therapy, including the intake of enzymes, anti-inflammatory drugs and antispasmodics;
  • the rejection of all bad habits and the correct regime of the day.

In severe cases, it is impossible to do without surgical intervention. In addition, there are diseases in which surgical intervention is the only way to solve the problem. Such diseases include, for example, appendicitis.

How is intestinal pain prevented?

A healthy lifestyle, a correct, balanced diet, avoidance of frequent stressful conditions will avoid many health problems. To prevent problems in the body did not become surprises, once a year, and after 40 years and twice a year, a complete examination of all organs and systems should be carried out. Intestinal pain, in some cases, can be the result of helminthic invasions, in cases where helminths multiply at high speed, get knocked down and create a blockage in the intestine. To avoid such situations, every 6 months you need to drink antihelminthic drugs, for example, "Decaris".

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