Stomach pain is a discomfort that almost everyone has ever experienced. The causes that produce it can range from mild conditions such as indigestion or gas to situations that require medical care, such as intestinal infection or gastritis, or even more severe conditions, such as appendicitis. Given the variety of pathologies that this annoyance contains, it is essential to pay attention to the related symptoms and monitor the situation to determine if it is necessary to visit a doctor, a crucial question for an accurate diagnosis. At FastlyHealwe explain the most common causes of stomach pain and which pathologies require professional attention.
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Identify the type of abdominal pain.
The abdominal area, which we popularly call the stomach, contains many organs, so it is essential to identify the type of discomfort quickly when pain occurs. If there are related symptoms, in this way, it will be much easier to approach its cause.
The most common types of stomach pain are:
- Localized pain: it occurs at a specific point of the stomach; this type of discomfort can be a sign that there is a problem with a particular organ such as the appendix or the gallbladder.
- Generalized pain: the discomfort is felt in the entire abdomen or the middle of it and not in a single specific area. This type of pain is very typical of infections or stomach viruses or gases; in some cases, it can also indicate an occlusion in the intestine.
- Colic: it is the type of pain that comes and goes suddenly and is often intense. It can be due to ailments such as premenstrual syndrome and kidney or gallstones.
- Stomach cramps: very typical also of stomach infections, gas, and indigestion, they usually pass by themselves, but when they occur with fever and intense vomiting, they indicate that there is an intestinal infection.
Intestinal causes of stomach pain
In most cases, stomach pain is due to intestinal problems ranging from minor and temporary pathologies to conditions requiring medical attention. The most important ones are:
- Constipation: If your bowel movements are not frequent and you feel bloated, heavy, with a rigid abdomen and full of gases, it is likely a case of constipation. In our article home remedies for constipation, you can find solutions to combat this condition.
- Gas accumulation: stomach bloating accompanied by frequent flatulence and colic points to a picture of stomach gas. These can be caused by eating foods rich in fiber or flatulence, eating too fast, and drinking many soft drinks, among other habits.
- Food poisoning: ingesting lousy food or contaminated water can lead to this condition, usually accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting, fever, pain, and general malaise.
- Intestinal infections or viruses: like the previous pathology, they present with symptoms such as abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea, and vomiting. Gastroenteritis or rotavirus are two of the most common conditions of this type.
- Food intolerances: If you feel discomfort after eating certain foods, it may be an intolerance. In addition to pain, you may experience diarrhea, sadness, and irritability. In this case, it is recommended to visit a specialist for a diagnosis.
- Irritable bowel: it is a chronic pathology with no known cause that is closely linked to stress and emotional symptoms. When it is inactive periods, it can cause colic and intestinal discomfort.
- Inflammatory bowel disease: chronic pathologies such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis can cause abdominal discomfort; in both cases, a doctor’s diagnosis is required.
Other more serious intestinal conditions are:
- Intestinal blockage
- Intestinal ischemia or lack of blood supply to the intestines.
- Colon cancer .
Stomach problems that cause abdominal pain
Pain in the abdominal area can also be due to conditions located in the stomach; the most common are:
- Gastritis : it is the inflammation of the stomach lining which causes abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. An endoscopy will help determine the presence of this condition.
- Stomach ulcer: characterized by abdominal pain, burning, nausea, vomiting, and in some cases, bloody stools; this condition occurs when there is a wound in the stomach wall; until it heals, there will be no improvement.
Organs that can cause this discomfort
The causes of stomach pain can also include the presence of various pathologies that affect the organs that are in this area. These types of conditions are characterized by localized discomfort in a specific point of the abdomen; the most common are:
- Appendicitis: the inflammation of the appendix is characterized by presenting localized pain on the right side of the abdomen that can extend to the navel; it increases with the passing of the hours. Fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may occur.
- Inflammation of the gallbladder or gallstones: begins with a sharp pain that can then radiate to the back; it is intense and is usually constant. It can be accompanied by fever, nausea, vomiting, and yellowing of the skin.
- Kidney stones: when the rocks are formed, there are no symptoms; it is not until they go down the ureters that the discomfort characterized by intense abdominal pain usually occurs in the side and that can radiate to the groin begins. In addition, there is blood or an abnormal color in the urine, fever, nausea, and vomiting.
- Inflammation of the pancreas.
All of these conditions require immediate medical attention to avoid complications.
Gynecological causes for abdominal pain
In the case of women, what is interpreted as stomach pain can be a pain located in the belly area, that is, the lower abdomen, linked to gynecological pathologies?
The most frequent causes of this type of discomfort are:
- Intense menstrual pain can occur a couple of days before the period and on the first days. Some home remedies for period pain can help you fight it.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease: This infection can affect the uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes. It manifests with fever and vaginal discharge of abnormal color and other symptoms such as chills, nausea, painful urination, or frequent urination.
- Endometriosis: manifests when there is the growth of the endometrium outside the uterus area, which generates symptoms such as menstrual problems, severe pain during menstruation, cramps, and difficulty conceiving.
- Urine infections: prevalent; these pathologies generate pain when urinating or having sexual intercourse, an urge to urinate frequently, burning, and, in some cases, urine with blood.
When to contact an emergency specialist
When stomach pain frequently occurs either daily or several times a week, then it is time to schedule a medical consultation to rule out any of the possible conditions that could produce it.
However, some warning signs indicate that stomach pain is an emergency, these are:
- Pain that increases with the passing of the hours.
- Vomiting is accompanied by an inability to evacuate.
- Blood in stool, urine, or vomit.
- The pain also occurs in other areas such as the side, shoulder blade, shoulders, or neck.
- The abdomen is tender to the touch.
- There is vomiting or severe diarrhea that does not stop.
- Fever that does not go down.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Causes of stomach pain , we recommend that you enter our Digestive System category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.