Pain in the stomach - the causes of the phenomenon

2023 Author: Alfred Shackley | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 13:14

Probably, every person at least once in his life has heard the expression "sucking in the stomach." It is interesting that the question of where this spoon is located, and what kind of feeling it is, most people find it difficult to answer clearly. And all would be fine, just a saying, but when pain is felt under the stomach, this is no longer jokes and not folklore, but a consequence of the development of some kind of disease.

Where is it and what is there to hurt?

In the language of doctors, this place on the body is called the epigastric region - the junction point of the front ribs. Why is it called a spoon? Yes, because this depression under the xiphoid process resembles a teaspoon in shape.

True, if we look at ourselves in the mirror, then we will not see any spoon. It is visible only on the human skeleton, but it is not difficult to determine exactly where the aforementioned area is.

The importance of this place lies in the fact that it is a projection of the internal organs. An experienced doctor can make a preliminary diagnosis based on how severe the pain in the spoon is: dull or aching, it is felt on the right or on the left. In other words, discomfort in the stomach is evidence of problems with the internal organs. The main thing is not to panic, but to quickly find out the causes of the symptom and start treatment.

Provoking factors and causes of pain

Why does discomfort arise, and in what ways can it be eliminated? The principles of treatment depend on the factors that provoked the appearance of the pathological symptom.

Among the most common reasons for the appearance of discomfort in the stomach, doctors include the following:

Developing stomach ulcer

A very likely and dangerous cause of aching pain in the stomach can be precisely an ulcer on the gastric mucosa. Here you need to pay attention to the following clinical manifestations:

• frequent pain and belching;
• nausea right after eating;
• lack of appetite;
• stool problems (diarrhea, constipation);
• flatulence;
• bloating;
• sour taste in the mouth.

If such factors exist, then it is better to go to the hospital and do an endoscopic analysis of the stomach. Or, as the people say, to swallow a probe. Alas, this is the only way to identify a stomach ulcer and start treatment at a more or less early stage.

There is a general principle that allows you to understand before going to the doctor whether your stomach is bothering you or not. If the discomfort occurs immediately after eating, it is stomach problems. If it hurts before eating, on an empty stomach, and after eating, on the contrary, it passes, then this is a lesion of the duodenum.

Duodenal ulcer

Aching pain on the right, which radiates to the back, may signal the appearance of an ulcer in the duodenum. The bacterium Helicobacter Pylori causes the disease, as in the case of a stomach ulcer, but not only it. Additional reasons for the development of the disease:

• endocrine disorders;
• unbalanced diet;
• alcohol abuse;
• increased acidity in the gastrointestinal tract;
• too frequent use of antipyretic drugs ("Aspirin", "Ibuprofen", "Nurofen").

The development of ulcers is facilitated by a lack of trace elements and vitamins in the body. They take part in redox reactions, the violation of which can lead to the destruction of the duodenal mucosa;

Pancreatitis

Acute persistent epigastric pain on the left side is a characteristic symptom of the development of pancreatitis. In the case of an acute course of the disease, it can also be of a shingles nature. Pancreatitis is essentially a malfunction of the pancreas. That is, enzymes for digesting food are not produced, which leads to decay of the duodenal contents. Food is not digested or absorbed by the intestines, which causes nausea and profuse vomiting.

Factors causing pancreatitis include:

• a large amount of fried, fatty and smoked foods in the diet;
• alcohol abuse;
• long-term medication (especially on a hormonal basis).

Pancreatitis, alas, can be not only an independent disease. Very often it is preceded by the development of stomach ulcers.

Appendicitis

With appendicitis, the pain syndrome is first felt under the spoon, then in the navel, and then moves to the right side. Illness is accompanied by nausea and cramps in the right side, which can be aggravated by deep breathing. As you know, appendicitis cannot be treated with medication; you will need the help of a surgeon.

Lesions of the esophagus

If the uncomfortable sensations under the spoon on the right are episodic, most likely the symptom is due to damage to the esophagus, in particular, gastroesophageal reflux. When swallowing, the pain goes down the throat. The factors provoking diseases of the esophagus are chemical or mechanical damage, inflammation of the ENT organs, excessive physical exertion. With such symptoms, you should contact a gastroenterologist.

Diagnostic methods

Since the causes of pain in the epigastric region can be different, treatment methods depend on the disease that triggered the onset of the symptom. In addition to general recommendations such as a balanced diet and avoiding bad habits, each disease will have its own specific treatment recommendations.

First of all, with the appearance of pain in the stomach, it is necessary to establish an accurate diagnosis. To do this, you will need to do a complete examination:

• abdominal organs;
• pancreas;
• liver and kidney;
• gallbladder.

If pancreatitis and gastroesophageal reflux are suspected, endoscopic examination and ultrasound of the pancreas may additionally be required.

Non-drug treatment

If discomfort in the epigastric zone occurs immediately after eating, first of all, special attention will have to be paid to diet therapy. Rational nutrition does not affect the inflammatory processes in the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, but it helps to eliminate pain and heaviness in the stomach.

In addition, when ulcers form in the mucous epithelium, it is advisable to reduce food intake, since caustic gastric juice is secreted for its digestion. It is he who contributes to the destruction of the walls of the intestine and stomach in the event of the formation of erosions and wounds on their surface.

How to quickly eliminate epigastric pain? Doctors do not recommend resorting to the use of analgesics without an accurate diagnosis. This will only lead to "blurring" of the symptomatic picture and make it difficult to determine the causes of the problem.

If the discomfort occurs constantly over several days, you can not postpone the visit to the therapist. After a preliminary examination, your doctor will most likely refer you to a gastroenterologist, infectious disease specialist, or endocrinologist.

Anti-inflammatory therapy

Pain is one of the main signs of inflammation localized in the digestive tract. To ease the course of the disease and prevent its development, you need to take anti-inflammatory drugs. Effective drugs and the treatment regimen itself can be prescribed only by a qualified doctor after a full examination of the patient.

So what medications can you use if breathing is difficult due to epigastric pain?

1. "Mesalazine" - eliminates pain arising from exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases;
2. "Prednisolone" - prevents the development of inflammation in the stomach and extraintestinal areas;
3. "Metronidazole" - destroys the cell walls of microbes that provoke the development of inflammation in the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract;
4. "Budesonide" - eliminates generalized inflammation not only in the esophagus, but also in the respiratory organs.

Depending on the clinical manifestations and associated complications, patients may be prescribed drugs in the form of rectal suppositories or intramuscular injections. In this way, it is possible to prevent further irritation of the mucous membranes in the event of ulcers in the intestines or stomach.

Symptomatic treatment and prevention

If a patient complains that he has a sore throat after eating, in 95% of cases we are talking about the development of the so-called gastroesophageal disease. The cause of discomfort often lies in the penetration of gastric juice into the upper esophagus or respiratory tract. The duodenal contents cause severe irritation of the mucous membranes, resulting in perspiration, rawness, pain and a feeling of dryness in the throat.

It is possible to eliminate the manifestations of diseases that cause unpleasant sensations in the stomach with the following medications:

• "Albumin" - corrects metabolic processes, due to which the functioning of the digestive tract is restored;
• "Gemodez" - accelerates blood circulation in the affected mucous membranes, which promotes their healing;
• "Bifi-form" - restores the normal microflora in the intestines and stomach, thereby increasing local immunity;
• "Drotaverin" - eliminates spasms that cause pain in the epigastric zone;
• "Aktiferrin" - accelerates the onset of remission in the development of chronic gastrointestinal diseases.

The most effective treatment for gastrointestinal diseases is their prevention.

To prevent the appearance of pancreatitis, ulcers and other pathologies, you need to adhere to simple rules:

1. Eat a balanced diet;
2. Treat constipation in a timely manner;
3. Lead a healthy lifestyle;
4. Drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day;
5. Take vitamin and mineral complexes.

In any case, if discomfort appears in the stomach, you need to undergo a hardware examination by a gastroenterologist. Timely detection and treatment of diseases can prevent the development of chronic diseases and systemic complications.