stomach pain
Synonyms
Stomach pain, abdominal pain, Upper abdominal pain, Gastritis
English: stomachache
stomach pain are a symptom and can have various causes.
One calls pain in the left to middle upper abdomen as stomach pain, but they do not necessarily have to be in the stomach to have.
Most of the time, stomach pain is only temporary and harmless, but should be controlled if it occurs longer or more frequently. Various diseases can also express themselves through stomach pain.
Pain that is causally attributable to the stomach can also develop in other ways, for example as Pain behind the sternum express, which are then misinterpreted as heart pain. To clarify the cause, it is important to observe the frequency of the stomach pain and a possible temporal connection with the nutrition (postprandial pain).
Please also read: Stomach pain after eating and stomach pain at night
Causes of stomach pain
Stomach pain can have many different causes. These can be harmless, self-limiting causes or illnesses that require treatment. Often stomach pains are caused by incompatible food. Fatty foods in particular can cause pain. In addition, lactose or fructose intolerance is not uncommon. Nausea and vomiting speak for the consumption of spoiled food. Another common cause is irritation from excessive stomach acid. This can lead to an inflammation of the stomach with heartburn and subsequently a Gastric ulcer Cause (ulcer). Other forms of stomach inflammation (gastritis) are bacterial or caused by excessive use of certain drugs.
In addition, stomach pains are often caused by viral infections as part of a gastrointestinal infection. This leads to cramp-like stomach pains, which are usually accompanied by diarrhea and nausea. In addition to these causes, diseases of other organs also come into consideration, which cause upper abdominal pain interpreted as stomach pain. Must be mentioned here Inflammation of the pancreas or the duodenum. Tumors are less common causes of stomach pain. Long-lasting or very severe stomach pain should always be clarified in case of doubt.
Also read our topic: Causes of Stomach Pain
Stomach pain caused by stress
Stomach pains are not uncommon too stress triggered. In addition to physical factors, it is a main cause of a large number of complaints. Various endogenous hormone systems are activated by stress. Among other things, more hydrochloric acid is produced, which causes or worsens stomach pain. In addition, the blood flow to the gastric mucosa is impaired. However, this is of crucial importance in the production of a protective mucus layer against the acid.
Stress leads to increased irritation and damage to the stomach lining. This is noticeable with stomach pain. The consequences are gastritis or a stomach ulcer. Stomach pain is usually a long-term complication of ongoing stress. Also, some people respond quickly to stress with stomach pain without the presence of organic damage. These are most noticeable in particularly stressful situations such as exams or presentations. In all cases it is advisable to reduce stress as much as possible. Relaxation exercises, autogenic training or meditation can help. If the stress is reduced, the stomach pain usually also disappears.
Also read our topic: Stomach pain from stress, Abdominal pain from stress
Medicines that cause stomach pain
On the one hand, drugs can be the trigger for stomach problems, but on the other hand they can also act as an aid against such complaints.
A group of drugs known to target the "Stomach beating" are the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They serve as widespread Painkiller and anti-inflammatories, for example Ibuprofen, Diclofenac and Indomethacin. The mechanism of action of these drugs requires that in the stomach area less protective mucus produced which protects the stomach wall against the very aggressive hydrochloric acid produced by the stomach. If this happens over a longer period of time, there is a risk that Ulcers in the stomach or develop in the adjacent small intestine. A combination of NSAIDs with glucocorticoids, so steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Cortisone or Prednisolone increases the risk of developing an ulcer in the Gastrointestinal tract once again. Such ulcers are called Gastric ulcer (in the stomach) and Duodenal ulcer (in the small intestine).
Stomach pain after eating
If the stomach pain occurs after eating, this suggests a locally irritating cause in the stomach. Stomach pain after eating is a Main symptom of inflammation of the lining of the stomach (gastritis). It can have various causes. Typically, stabbing or pressing pain in the middle upper abdomen occurs immediately after eating. Especially after large portions and fatty or acidic food, severe stomach pain occurs. In some cases, the inflammation is more advanced, so it's already a Gastric ulcer (Ulcer). This is also shown by stomach pain after eating, which appears immediately to a few minutes after eating.
If in doubt, a gastric ulcer should be ruled out, as it can also develop into a malignant tumor. Often, however, harmless causes are responsible for stomach pain after eating. Food intolerance can cause these symptoms. Avoiding the appropriate food helps here. If no cause for persistent stomach pain after eating is found, it is called irritable bowel syndrome. Here it helps to avoid coffee, alcohol and fatty foods. Stress makes symptoms worse, so it should be avoided.
Accompanying symptoms with stomach pain
If you suffer from stomach pain, additional accompanying symptoms occur in many cases. The most common accompanying symptoms in this context are nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, cramps and heartburn. Loss of appetite also occurs in some cases. Depending on the cause of the stomach pain, these accompanying symptoms are more or less pronounced. Nausea and vomiting are usually signs of a viral infection.
The nausea can sometimes be so severe that every nausea tablet is vomited again immediately. With virus infections, diarrhea also often occurs. It is then important to ensure that you are drinking enough fluids. In the case of food intolerance, the accompanying symptoms are strong flatulence. They usually develop after the initial stomach pain. Heartburn is a sign of stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus. In mild forms this is normal. In the event of persistent complaints of this type, a clarification should be carried out.
Also read our topic: Food allergy and Diarrhea and stomach pain
Stomach pain with nausea
The symptom of stomach pain has a number of different causes, many of which can be accompanied by nausea.
Biologically it makes sense that in certain situations the body tries to get the stomach through Vomit to empty.
The body tries to remove the substances that it perceives as harmful without running them through the whole Gastrointestinal tract to have to transport, where they can possibly cause even more damage.
- Stomach pain with nausea
and - Abdominal pain and nausea
This is particularly interesting for the organism in the event of poisoning, as this protective mechanism of the body ensures survival in these situations.
Probably the most common cause of nausea and stomach pain occurring at the same time is the presence of one infection with bacteria or viruses.
Colloquially this is then called "Abdominal influenza“, Medical professionals describe the clinical picture as gastroenteritis.
In addition to stomach pain and nausea is also diarrhea one of the key symptoms of gastroenteritis.
The pathogens damage the stomach cells via different mechanisms, which among other things leads to nausea.
Bacteria can for example Toxins that irritate the mucous membrane cells in the stomach area, which in turn contact the Vomiting center in the brain "to report“And cause nausea or vomiting. This area of the brain is also where most of the available substances that can be prescribed for nausea work.
The presence of particularly high levels of psychological stress, a food allergy, Ulcers in the stomach, or poisoning can cause nausea and vomiting alike.
In the event of nausea and subsequent vomiting of black liquid It is imperative to hurry because it is one medical emergency where a blood vessel in the esophagus ruptured and blood rushes to the stomach.
The abundance of blood in the stomach causes stomach pain, nausea and finally blood to vomit. The blood changed by that Acid in the stomach however, its color, which is why the vomit appears dark.
In unclear cases of stomach pain and simultaneous nausea, a doctor should be consulted who can make a diagnosis and possibly prescribe medication that is well effective against the nausea and the underlying disease.
Stomach pain in pregnancy
Stomach pain is a common phenomenon during pregnancy. Almost every expectant mother complains of stomach pain during pregnancy. These are often associated with bloating and heartburn. In early pregnancy, hormonal changes are primarily responsible for stomach pain. They lead to many adaptation processes in the body, to which many react sensitively. This type of stomach pain is usually harmless and goes away on its own. As the size of the unborn baby increases, stomach pain can reappear. This can be explained by the mechanical pressure on the stomach, which can vary depending on the child's position. Again, no treatment is required.
Relaxation exercises and avoiding physical exertion are helpful. In rare cases, stomach pains during pregnancy also require treatment. On the one hand, inflammation or ulcers can be behind it, as in non-pregnant women. On the other hand, stomach pains can be an expression of rare but dangerous diseases that occur during pregnancy. This includes (pre-) eclampsia up to the dangerous HELLP syndrome. If there is also high blood pressure, seizures or water retention, a doctor must be consulted immediately.
Also read our topic: Stomach pain in pregnancy
Stomach pain along with upper abdominal pain
In many cases, stomach pain and upper abdominal pain cannot be separated from one another. The stomach is located in the middle of the upper abdomen, so that pain is particularly felt here when the stomach is sick. Stomach pain and upper abdominal pain should be given increased attention if these occur on the left or right side. Then it may be that pain believed to be stomach ache is caused by other organs. Acute gallbladder inflammation can cause cramps and right upper abdominal pain. Intestinal diseases can also lead to malaise and upper abdominal pain. For example, appendicitis often begins with nausea and upper abdominal pain. In addition, if you have upper abdominal pain that looks like stomach ache, you should always think about inflammation of the pancreas. A special feature is that the pain radiates in a belt-shaped manner from the stomach to the back. The main cause of upper abdominal pain is still the stomach.
Also read our topic: Upper abdominal pain
Diagnosis of stomach pain
With more common stomach pain with a protracted course, it is advisable to consult a doctor.
For diagnosis, information about the frequency of stomach pain and the timing of occurrence depending on food intake are important.
A laboratory blood test can provide important information if one is suspected Gastrointestinal bleeding give. The hematocrit and hemoglobin values are then lowered. There is a normocytic normochrome Anemia in front.
The examination of the stool also provides information about bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract (hemoccult test)
In most cases there is a diagnostic tool as well as to secure a harmless finding Gastroscopy instead of. The patient is given a sleeping pill so that he does not feel anything from the examination. The examiner performs a so-called endoscope (a long tube with a camera) into the patient's esophagus and so can esophagus, Examine the stomach and duodenum. Often small tissue samples are taken which are specially examined.
It is imperative to go to a hospital or call the emergency doctor if the stomach pain is associated with one injury or one accident can be associated.
In addition, there could be a simultaneous discomfort in the chest area Heart attack the underlying stomach pain, whereby the emergency doctor should also be called in this case.
A doctor should also be consulted urgently if the pain is extremely severe, so that, for example, it is not possible to sit still or if you only feel some relief if you hunch over.
The same is also true when the stomach pain is along with bloody stoolpersistent nausea and vomiting yellow skin, or a "tough“Or a swollen abdomen may occur.
If the stomach pain causes concern and / or persists for more than two days, a doctor should be consulted who will take care of the problem.
Should be used for stomach pain gentle diet be consumed in a way that is easy on the stomach and the rest of the digestive tract. So it shouldn't be spicy or very fatty foods.
Because of the pain, one is inclined to take pain relievers such as Acetylsalicylic acid or Ibuprofen which, however, can cause problems in the stomach area.
An alternative pain medication is provided in this case Paracetamol It should be noted, however, that analgesic treatment by no means treats the cause of the stomach pain and may only conceal it.
For this reason it should if possible no self-medication and if you have any questions, you can contact the attending physician.
Also anti-diarrhea drugs like Loperamide should only be used in an emergency, for example during upcoming trips, since the causative germs remain in the digestive tract and the cause of the disease cannot be combated.
Stomach pain after alcohol
Alcohol is a popular intoxicant, the consumption of which can cause many different effects in the human body.
It is a chemical substance that is metabolized very quickly in the body and, in the course of metabolism, forms intermediate products that are harmful to a large number of tissues in the body.
A basic distinction must be made as to whether a chronic alcohol abuse whether the stomach pain occurs after a single alcohol consumption.
If pain occurs after a single consumption of alcohol, there is usually no serious illness behind it.
Alcohol can get into the mucous membranes esophagus and stomach irritate, and through this mechanism lead to stomach pain and nausea.
The irritation of the mucous membrane may cause stomach pains hours after consuming the alcohol and only go away after a certain time.
During this time the stomach should be spared, no more alcohol to be drunk and only stomach-friendly food to be consumed.
Chronic alcohol abuse can cause a number of different changes in the body, which can be responsible for stomach pain.
Alcohol leads to a so-called in the stomach gastritis.
Alcohol is responsible for a large number of changes in the gastric mucous membrane, such as swelling of the mucous membrane, bleeding, death of the mucous membrane cells and an inflammatory reaction of the stomach cells.
Together with an increased Gastric acid production is therefore the risk for the development of Stomach ulcer greatly increased.
Thus, the stomach pain after excessive alcohol consumption could possibly be explained by a stomach ulcer.
The special form of gastritis, a hemorrhagic gastritis, which can result from the chronic consumption of alcohol, can become life-threatening if Bleeding arise in which several liters of blood can be lost within minutes.
One caused by the alcohol hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver, can also cause pain in the stomach area.
Digestive problems caused by excessive alcohol consumption are often associated with a acute pancreatitiswhich also causes severe pain.
The cause of this clinical picture is one Stone formationtriggered by alcohol consumption and clogging the pancreatic ducts.
Read a lot more information on our topic: Stomach pain after alcohol
Stomach pain and gas
Flatulence can also explain the presence of stomach pain.
In most cases, there is no serious illness behind it, but the pain that occurs can be very pronounced and uncomfortable for those affected great suffering trigger.
The presence of severe flatulence can have different causes, but often Nutritional problems stand in the foreground.
In the case of disruptive, massive flatulence, a doctor should therefore be informed so that the cause can be found and remedied.
Food allergies or intolerances, an unbalanced diet and so-called irritable bowel syndrome are just a few possible causes of the flatulence.
Gas often appears around 20-60 minutes after a meal, but it can cause problems hours later. The blocked gases cause pain, which usually only improves after the gases have been released.
Combating the causes is the focus of the treatment of flatulence, which is why a clear diagnosis is essential. When a Change in diet is unsuccessful and the flatulence causes discomfort for a long time, a visit to the doctor is recommended.
Stomach pain due to flatulence can also occur after a gastroscopy, as the stomach is filled with a mixture of air and gas. However, these stomach pains usually go away on their own.
Stomach pain after coffee
Coffee contains the chemical caffeine, which is responsible for some side effects in the gastrointestinal tract in addition to the effects for increased alertness and increased performance.
In addition to caffeine, there are other components of coffee, such as Tannins and bitter substances blamed for the different reactions.
After drinking coffee it can be observed that digestion is stimulated in many people.
The Intestinal loops move stronger, Stomach acid is increasingly formed as well Bile juices are excreted more. This can have a number of different unpleasant consequences.
Due to the increased movement of the intestinal loops, some people can get an uncomfortable feeling in the lower abdomen and perceive this as stomach pain.
An increased production of stomach acid can cause stomach pains in addition to occurring above all heartburn occur after consuming coffee. For this reason, it is not recommended to drink coffee on an empty stomach, as the production of gastric acid increases significantly.
If stomach pain occurs after consuming coffee, the drink should be avoided for a while to confirm the diagnosis. If the problem was actually caused by coffee and the substances it contains, regular consumption should be avoided.
Therapy of stomach pain
Stomach pain can be a very bothersome symptom, with many different underlying diseases behind it.
Some of the causes behind stomach pain like Flatulence or Pulled muscles are harmless, but other diseases require medical attention.
If vomiting occurs at the same time or Diarrhea it is particularly important to keep the body hydrated. The body loses a lot of fluid with diarrhea, as the food in the stomach binds the body's own fluid and thus withdraws it from the body.
If symptoms persist, a doctor should always be consulted so that the correct diagnosis can be made, other diseases can be excluded, and the correct therapy can be started.
The most common ones, namely the harmless stomach pains that occur sporadically and subside again after a while, can be easily passed through Home remedies how Camomile tea and treat heat.
Infectious diseases (Rotavirus, norovirus) are mainly treated symptomatically. The focus here should be on the supply of water and electrolyte, as through Vomit and diarrhea the body loses water and electrolytes. Settling with H. pylori however, antibiotic therapy in combination with proton pump inhibitors should be used if possible.
With ulcers of the stomach and duodenum as well as with gastritis proton pump inhibitors are prescribed. Active ingredients such as Pantoprazole / Pantozol® or Omeprazole. They inhibit the formation of acid in the stomach and thus improve the protection of the stomach by the mucous layer.
An important therapy is parental leave - the omission of damaging factors such as stress, Smoke and alcohol. It can also be useful to reconsider the current medication and especially certain pain relievers (NSAIDs) if possible, if they attack the protective layer of the stomach.
Antacids are also often used to neutralize the acid.
It is also useful for relieving stomach pain MCP and Buscopanthat favor the motility of the gastrointestinal tract.
Most of these medications also help with stomach pain combined with nausea. Therefore read more on this topic under Nausea medication
Medicines for stomach pain
Ulcers of the stomach often cause one Increased pain after ingestion whereas pain in ulcers of the small intestine mostly subside after eating. More symptoms of ulcers may appear nausea and Vomit, Bloating and loss of appetite and as an important warning sign Vomiting blood be. This usually impresses as "breaking coffee grounds", that is typical dark appearance obtained by mixing blood with the hydrochloric acid of the stomach.
There now known is that NSAIDs significantly increase the risk of stomach ulcers, especially when taken for a long time, is nowadays also usually another drug is prescribed. It belongs to Proton pump inhibitor group, is one of its most famous representatives Pantoprazole. This group of drugs inhibits - as their name suggests - an ion pump in the stomach area that is responsible for the synthesis of Stomach acid is essential. If it is inhibited, it results in a drastically reduced gastric acid production and the stomach is thus protected from itself. Pantoprazole and its derivatives are therefore an important partner when prescribing painkillers. But also patients who do not suffer from a gastric ulcer but complain of pain in the stomach area can benefit from proton pump inhibitors. So stomach pain can also be caused by a Inflammation of the stomach (gastritis) or by a Reflux disease (gastroesophageal reflux disease = GERD).
There are aside from the proton pump inhibitors other drugsthat help control stomach acid production. For example the Group of antacids. Their representatives include, for example Magnesium hydroxide and magaldrate, a newer active ingredient. They serve the Neutralization of gastric acidbut do not inhibit their production. Your effectiveness is thus significantly weaker than that of the proton pump inhibitors. Also Antihistamines which act on H2 receptors, help against excess stomach acid. One of them is among others Ranitidine. Are also an opponent of gastric acid production Prostaglandins. They do, however not in gastric acid production one, but take care of one Increase in gastric mucus production. The gastric mucus is the antagonist of hydrochloric acid, it acts like one for the stomach Protective layer against the corrosive acid. One of its representatives is Misoprostol. However, neither prostaglandins nor antihistamines are as effective as proton pump inhibitors. So these are first choice for acid-related stomach problems.
Home remedies for stomach pain
For mild to moderate stomach pain, there are various home remedies that can greatly alleviate symptoms. In many cases, the application of heat helps. A hot water bottle or a warm grain pillow on your stomach will relieve pain and help relieve cramps. A light stomach massage can increase these effects. Another popular home remedy for stomach pain is herbal tea. Several cups spread over the day calm the stomach and inhibit acid production. Proven types of tea are e.g. Chamomile, fennel or ginger.
In addition to stomach pain, these home remedies are also good for nausea and replace fluid loss if there is also diarrhea. In addition, food that irritates the stomach should be avoided and only small portions should be consumed. If heartburn is the focus in addition to stomach pain, home remedies such as Bullrich Salt can be used. It neutralizes stomach acid. However, this can lead to a feeling of fullness and overstretching of the stomach. Home remedies can initially be used for mild to moderate complaints. Without improvement, however, you should see your family doctor.
prophylaxis
Drug-induced ulcers are a common cause of stomach pain. Painkillers are mainly used for prophylaxis (Diclofenac u. a.) together with Proton pump inhibitors prescribed. It is also beneficial for patients who have to take a lot of medication to use a proton pump inhibitor (Stomach protection) to combine.
Frequent hand washing as well as frequent hand disinfection is important for the prophylaxis of infectious gastrointestinal complaints.
To a Food poisoning To prevent it, it is important to pay attention to hygiene in the kitchen and to cool dishes to prevent the spread of germs.
Prognosis of stomach pain
The prognosis of the stomach pain naturally depends entirely on the cause of the stomach pain. Ulcers detected early can be treated well. It is also favorable to settle with Helicobacter pylori to be combated as early as possible, as this is prognostically unfavorable for the development of a Lymphoma or gastric cancer.
Summary
There are many different causes for the symptom "stomach pain". Although the causes are mostly harmless, one should watch the stomach pain and if it occurs more frequently such as suspected blood in the stool or accompanying vomiting or diarrhea see the doctor. Ulcers can be very dangerous because they can bleed unnoticed and this can lead to circulatory shock. A visit to the doctor is also recommended if you suspect food intolerance, as the cause must be clarified. Allergies as well as enzyme defects come into consideration. Another important aspect that you should not lose sight of is that the stomach pain can also be atypical pain, for example as a sign of a heart attack.
