Causes of stomach pain

Synonyms

Stomach pain, abdominal pain, epigastric pain, gastritis

English: stomachache

General causes

in the stomach on the one hand hydrochloric acid is produced, this counteracts it bacteria and causes a first breakdown of the food components. On the other hand, a layer of mucus is built up in the stomach, which in turn buffers the hydrochloric acid and protects the stomach wall from the hydrochloric acid. This balance of aggressive and protective factors can be shaken by different influences, so that it becomes one Attack of the stomach by the hydrochloric acid comes.

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Gastric ulcer as a cause of stomach pain (gastric ulcer)

The Gastric ulcer is a deep-seated substance defect of the Gastric mucosa.

It can be the cause of stomach pain that occurs shortly after eating. Causes of a stomach ulcer can be stress, Smoke, alcohol, the colonization of the stomach with the bacterium H. pylori, but also the use of certain painkillers (so-called NSAIDss: Diclofenac, Aspirin® i.a.) be. The balance between aggressive and protective factors in the stomach is disturbed. The various risk factors also increase in their effect and cause a stomach ulcer. Damage to the stomach wall occurs, which can manifest itself in pain. A dangerous complication of gastric ulcer is bleeding, which, by going unnoticed, can lead to major blood loss. One must suspect an ulcer through one Gastroscopy clarify.

Duodenal ulcer (duodenal ulcer)

Of the Duodenum joins the stomach in a C-shape. Due to the proximity to the stomach, an ulcer can also be expressed there as pain that the patient localizes in the epigastric region. The risks and causes of an ulcer in the duodenum are the same as in the stomach and a gastroscopy is also recommended here for clarification.

Acute inflammation of the stomach (gastritis)

A Inflammation of the stomach lining especially the acute form can manifest itself as stomach pain after eating. When the stomach is inflamed, the lining of the stomach is inflamed. Here it can continue to Stomach pain with nausea, Loss of appetite and vomiting come on.
The so-called tarry stool (black stool) is also a sign of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, which can be caused by an inflammation of the stomach. If you have a black stool, your family doctor should do a test for blood in your stool.

Chronic stomach inflammation as the cause (gastritis)

A chronic inflammation of the gastric mucosa in which the gastric mucosa is chronically inflamed can be accompanied by stomach pain, fullness and nausea, but in most cases does not show any such symptoms. Chronic stomach inflammation is divided into three groups according to its cause:

Type A: The autoimmune form of gastric inflammation: this is where it works immune system against the body's own cells of the stomach and thus damages them. Certain antibodies can be detected in the blood.

Type B: The bacterial form of gastric inflammation: By colonizing the stomach with bacteria (H. pylori) the mucous membrane can be damaged. The presence of the germ can be proven by various methods. For example the breath test or a histological examination. Then the germ must be eradicated through therapy with Antibiotics.

Type C: The chemically or toxic form of stomach inflammation: the cause of the Type C gastritis is taking drugs that are harmful to the stomach, for example painkillers such as diclofenac or Aspirin®.

Stomach pain from stress

A risk factor for stomach pain that should not be neglected is stress. Everyday stress is a psychological reason for physical illness. Stress is also associated with an excess of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which damages the gastric mucosa. By releasing certain hormones, the stomach produces too much acid in response to psychological stress. The exact connection and development process is not known.

For many people, along with stress, accompanying risk factors are added. So go with the stressful situation often poor diet, alcohol, coffee and cigarette consumption hand in hand. This combination explains stomach pain.

A Reduction of stress and the other factors is essential. Otherwise, complications in the form of an ulcer and others can occur Secondary diseases occur. The risk of gastric cancer is also significantly increased if these risk factors exist.

Psychogenic causes of stomach pain

Frequent stomach pains can occur in children Problems in school or other fears caused. Therefore, if children experience frequent stomach pain, it is important to be careful about these issues.

Adults too often feel when they are under increased stress or in particularly psychologically stressful times stomach painthat don't necessarily have an organic cause. Interestingly, however, stress and other stress factors can also cause organic damage such as a stomach ulcer. It is therefore important to reduce stress accordingly in order to protect the mind and body.

Please also read the topic: psychogenic abdominal pain

Stomach pain in children

Children still have very sensitive stomachs. Therefore, they easily develop stomach pains and stomach pain. Causes can be malnutrition, stress (school or similar), or illnesses Vomit be. Often children cannot localize the pain very precisely, so when expressing abdominal pain, in addition to stomach pain, the appendix or intestine must also be considered, which must therefore be examined.

Learn more about: Abdominal pain in children

Stomach cancer as the cause of stomach pain

Comes as a serious cause of stomach pain too Stomach cancer in question. However, this rarely shows up in stomach pain and fatally not at all. Rare unspecific symptoms of stomach cancer are loss of appetite, especially aversion to meat.

Irritable stomach as the cause of stomach pain

A "sensitive" stomach can cause stomach pain. The reasons for this are not exactly clarified. One is suspected decreased mobility of the stomach or also improperly regulated pain perception.

Stomach pain and alcohol

A considerably large part of all stomach pain is caused by excess acid, which over time attacks the stomach lining. Initially, the acid irritates the stomach and can rise up the esophagus, causing a burning or stabbing sensation behind the breastbone. Prolonged acid exposure can cause gastric mucosal inflammation, which causes particularly severe stomach pain.As a long-term complication, an ulcer can develop, which can lead to complications.

Alcohol is a special one Risk factor for gastric mucosal inflammation. Likewise, nicotine, stress, a high-fat diet, and caffeine also cause excess acid production by certain stomach cells. From a chemical point of view, alcohol is a very high-energy food. As a result, the stomach produces more hydrochloric acid so that the alcohol can be completely broken down and digested. If no food is consumed with the alcohol, the acid is not bound and can rise up into the esophagus and attack the mucous membrane there and in the stomach.

Therapy should first and foremost be a Change in eating and drinking habits respectively. Simply by omitting alcohol and high-fat foods, the gastric mucosa can often recover within a few days. Additionally, in stubborn cases, taking certain drugs can reduce the acidity in the stomach. The most important representatives of these drugs are so-called "proton pump inhibitors" and "antacids".

Infectious gastrointestinal disease (gastroenteritis)

The infectious gastrointestinal disease is a common cause of stomach pain, Vomit and diarrhea. The cause is an infection with bacteria or viruses or with parasites. Infection with children is common with Rotaviruses often occur in adults Noroviruses on. Typical of noroviruses is the epidemic-like infestation of people who live closely together, such as in hospitals, old people's homes or on vacation ships. The path of infection is through contact infection (hands) through the transmission of the viruses excreted in the stool. You can protect yourself primarily through regular hand washing and hand disinfection.

Bacteria that can cause gastroenteritis and thus stomach pain are: Salmonella and Staph. Aureus, the so-called Food poisoning cause as well as Shigella, Yersinia, E. coli i.a. which mainly cause diarrhea.

Pancreatitis

Colic pain in the upper abdomen can be caused by inflammation of the pancreas (pancreas) caused. An increase in pancreatic enzymes can be seen in the blood.

Read more on the topic: Inflammation of the pancreas

Heart attack

It is possible that a Heart attackwho typically Pain behind the sternum radiating to the left arm, felt as stomach ache. This atypical pain localization is more common in women or diabetics (D.iabetes mellitus). This is particularly dangerous because such a heart attack is often overlooked.

Please also read: Symptoms of a heart attack

Helicobacter pylori

The Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium which was only discovered in the stomach in the 80's and for a large part of the Stomach ulcers responsible for.
The Helicobacter can through a combination therapy with different Antibiotics eradicated (killed).
It can be detected by a Helicobacter breath test.

• Helicobacter pylori
• Eradicate the helicobater
  and
• Helicobacter pylori breath test

Stomach pain after eating

The stomach pain after eating is the typical symptom of acid-related irritation of the mucous membrane of the esophagus. If the pain is sharp immediately after swallowing, it can also be Digestive problem exist. Excessive chunks of food in the pulp can clog the esophagus or upper stomach and cause severe stabbing pain.
It can too Upper abdominal pain after eating caused by biliary obstruction or other factors. It can be mistaken for a pain in the stomach.

Acid reflux pain should be treated, since otherwise long-term damage to the mucous membrane can occur. Antacids, proton pump inhibitors, or antihistamines are typical remedies for these symptoms.

Stomach pain from diclofenac

The active substance Diclofenac from the group of NSAIDs is often applied in gel form. The gel is particular for orthopedic pain and applied to joints. The active ingredient is only released through the skin at the relevant point. Since it is an acidic pain medication, a rare side effect can be an excess of acid in the stomach, which attacks the mucous membranes and leads to stomach pain. If there is typical stomach pain that is not related to a meal, the Diclofenac pain gel could be the cause.