Stomach Pain - Causes and Treatment

Introduction:

Stomach pain is experienced by everyone once or many times in their lives. It is also called stomach pain, tummy ache, stomach ache, gut ache, or belly ache. The intensity of the pain can be mild or severe, depending on the underlying cause and its severity. In addition, the pain can be acute (short-lived) or chronic (stays for weeks, months, or even years). Any abdominal pain should not be left unaddressed, whether acute, chronic, mild, or severe. Other symptoms can occur along with stomach pain; it includes nausea, vomiting, gas, or bloating of the abdomen. The causes of abdominal pain can be diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, or some everyday phenomena such as gastritis, acid reflux, or overeating.

What Are the Causes of Stomach Pain?

There are several causes behind abdominal pain; some of the most common ones are indigestion, pulled muscle pain, and pain due to gas which is not that serious causes. However, some other severe conditions are classified depending on the acute or chronic nature of the stomach pain.

Acute Stomach Pain: The conditions which lead to acute stomach pain are accompanied by some other symptoms, too, which have their onset within a few hours or days. Some of these conditions may resolve themselves, whereas others may need treatment. Some of such conditions are:

1. Cystitis: Inflammation of the bladder is known as cystitis. The most common reason for this infection is urinary tract infection due to bacteria. It can reach the kidney if not treated promptly. Some symptoms include a burning sensation while urinating, a strong urge to urinate, and the passing of cloudy or strong-smelling urine.

2. Cholecystitis: Inflammation of the gallbladder is known as cholecystitis. The symptoms of the disease include stomach pain which arises suddenly on the upper right side or center of the abdomen, fever, vomiting, nausea, and radiating pain toward the right shoulder or back.

3. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: The condition is characterized by an enlarged portion of the aorta. Aorta is the primary vessel that runs from the center of the chest (heart) to the abdomen. Abdominal aortic aneurysms are generally asymptomatic and slow growing, but in some cases, they may show symptoms such as back pain and deep constant pain in the abdomen.

4. Diabetic Ketoacidosis: A severe complication of diabetes occurs when the body produces a higher concentration of ketones. The symptoms often occur within 24 hours of an increase in ketones. The symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, excessive thirst, and frequent urination.

5. Appendicitis: Inflammation of the appendix is known as appendicitis. The symptoms of the condition include sudden pain on the side of the lower abdomen, sudden pain in the stomach in the navel region, which radiates to the lower abdomen, loss of appetite, constipation, or diarrhea.

6. Ectopic Pregnancy: Pregnancy occurs when the egg is fertilized outside the uterus, generally in the fallopian tube and less often in the ovaries, abdominal cavity, or cervix. The symptoms produced in ectopic pregnancy depend on where the fertilized egg is growing. Still, if there is acute and severe abdominal pain followed by vaginal bleeding, it is essential to consult a doctor immediately.

7. Diverticulitis: Diverticula are small pouches that can form in the digestive tract lining, and their inflammation is known as diverticulitis. The stomach pain is generally in the lower side of the abdomen. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal tenderness, fever, or constipation.

Some other conditions which can lead to acute stomach pain are:

• Intestinal obstruction.

• Kidney infection.

• Heart attack.

• Intussusception.

• Mesenteric ischemia.

• Pericarditis.

• Peritonitis.

• Pneumonia.

• Pleurisy.

• Viral gastroenteritis.

• Shingles.

• Ruptured spleen.

Chronic Stomach Pain: Some of the conditions which can lead to chronic stomach pain are:

1. Endometriosis: Endometrium growth (tissue usually grows inside the uterus) outside the uterus. The organs generally involved are the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or lower pelvis. The symptoms include cramps and pelvic pain for a very long time, including pain during periods, intercourse, bowel movements, or urination.

2. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): These reflexes occur when gastric acid flows back into the esophagus from the stomach. The symptoms of the disease include burning sensations in the chest, difficulty swallowing, and chest and stomach pain.

3. Hiatal Hernia: This condition occurs when the upper portion of the stomach bulges out through the diaphragm (the muscle that separates the chest and the abdomen). Small hitala herniation does not produce any symptoms; however, large ones may show symptoms such as stomach pain, acid reflux, difficulty swallowing, chest pain, and heartburn.

4. Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A classic condition of chronic stomach pain is irritable bowel syndrome. It affects the large intestine, and the symptoms include cramps, stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, or both.

5. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: Transmission of bacteria from the vagina to the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries in females is pelvic inflammatory. The symptoms of the disease include stomach pain which can range from mild to severe in the lower abdomen region, unusual or heavy vaginal discharge, pain during intercourse, and sometimes fever with chills.

Some other conditions which can lead to chronic stomach pain are:

• Inguinal hernia.

• Functional dyspepsia.

• Ovarian cysts.

• Gastritis.

• Peptic ulcer.

• Sickle cell anemia.

• Ulcerative colitis.

What Is the Treatment for Stomach Pain?

The treatment of stomach pain depends primarily on the underlying disease causing it. However, in cases of severe stomach pain, some painkillers or muscle relaxants can help initially, depending on the type of pain. Therefore, it is crucial to diagnose the stomach pain and get the treatment done on time before it gets severe.

Conclusion:

Stomach pain is one of the most common symptoms of several diseases and is experienced by every individual at least once in their lifetime. Many conditions affecting the digestive, reproductive, or renal systems can lead to stomach pain. Therefore, it is essential to understand the nature of the pain and the underlying cause and treat it immediately. Some other symptoms also come in handy with stomach pain, such as nausea, vomiting, heartburn, constipation, or diarrhea. Thus it is essential to understand the symptoms and treat the underlying cause to cure the stomach pain.