The term "gastritis" refers to a pathological condition, the course of which is accompanied by inflammation of the gastric mucosa. According to statistics, 90% of the world's population at least once experienced the symptoms of this ailment. That is why people are often interested in whether the stomach hurts with gastritis, and if so, what kind of person feels. In any case, if the first alarming signs occur, it is recommended to consult a doctor. The specialist will conduct diagnostic measures and, based on their results, draw up an effective treatment regimen, which will include taking medications and dieting.
Pathogenesis
The stomach is the most vulnerable organ of the digestive system. This is due to the fact that exactly in it 3 vital processes take place immediately:
- Stirring partially processed foods.
- Splitting food.
- Absorption of vital components.
Under the influence of various adverse factors, the inner wall of the organ is damaged. That's why with gastritis it hurts in the epigastric zone. Moreover, it is the inner wall that is responsible for the production of protective mucus and gastric juice.
Normally, the body does not digest either its own tissues or the secret secreted. This is due to maintaining a healthy acid-base balance in different parts of the stomach. Against the background of deviation of the pH level to a greater or lesser extent, the development of the inflammatory process also starts.
Etiology
Depending on the provoking factors, acute gastritis can be:
- Catarrhal.
- Phlegmonous.
- Fibrinous.
- Necrotic.
The catarrhal form develops due to unbalanced nutrition. Necrotic and fibrinous gastritis is the result of poisoning of the body with acids, alkalis and salts of heavy metals. Phlegmonous form is associated with mechanical damage to the walls of the organ.
In addition, gastritis may be the result of:
- Prolonged stress.
- Frequent use of alcohol-containing drinks.
- The active life of the pathogen Helicobacter pylori.
- Helminthic infestations.
- Long-term use of drugs.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Progression of autoimmune pathologies.
- Hormonal imbalance.
In addition, the presence of duodenal reflux significantly increases the risk of an ailment.
How the stomach hurts with gastritis
Symptoms of pathology are pronounced. The first alarming sign of an illness is discomfort. Their intensity and localization directly depend on the type of pathology (autoimmune, Helicobacter pylori, corrosive, etc.). In addition, the stage of the course of the disease plays an important role.
How and where does the stomach hurt with gastritis, depending on the severity:
- If the ailment is protracted chronic in nature and is accompanied by a decrease or increase in acidity, it is manifested by aching sensations. Their intensity, as a rule, is average. At the same time, a person experiences a feeling of fullness in the stomach. Both severity and pain appear after eating.
- If the discomfort is pronounced (some patients claim that it is almost impossible to endure), this indicates an acute phase of the pathology. In addition, ulcerative or erosive lesions are often detected. Doctors do not exclude the possibility that an attack can be the first symptom of the development of concomitant ailments (pancreatitis or cholecystitis).
- If back pain is associated with gastritis and sensations are associated with the fact that the person was stabbed, this may indicate a perforation. In this case, call an ambulance team as soon as possible.
Most patients complain that they are hungry at night. That is, they both want to eat and experience severe discomfort.
Why does it hurt
Gastritis of the stomach is, as mentioned above, inflammation of the inner wall of an organ. Unpleasant sensations appear in the epigastric region approximately 20 minutes after the meal. The most common cause is a diet disorder. Irritating food in contact with inflamed tissue causes severe pain.
More rarely, discomfort is the result of smoking a cigarette or drinking strong black coffee on an empty stomach. However, it persists for several hours, significantly worsening the quality of life.
Localization of pain
Most often, discomfort appears in the epigastric zone. This is the area in the upper abdomen. The thrill is characteristic for severe forms of gastritis. How sore in this case? A person feels intolerable discomfort in the abdomen. Painful sensations in this case often radiate to the chest.
If aching in the back (not a sharp pain like a dagger), this indicates that the back wall of the stomach is inflamed. A person unconsciously tries to take a position in which the intensity of sensations is weaker.
Other symptoms of chronic gastritis. How sore in this case? Sensations are dull. Patients complain that they have aching in the stomach.
Chronic gastritis is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Feeling of fullness in the stomach.
- Severe heartburn.
- Burping.
- Nausea.
- Headache.
- Fatigue.
In addition, an unpleasant aftertaste is constantly felt in the mouth.
Autoimmune type A gastritis pain
This form of the disease is characterized by atrophic changes in the epithelium and a decrease in the degree of secretory activity of parietal cells. Against this background, the acidity indicator changes in a smaller direction. As a result, the properties of gastric juice are lost, due to which the process of assimilation of nutrient components is disrupted.
Regarding how it hurts. The symptoms of gastritis of an autoimmune nature are very intense. Discomfort is localized in the epigastric zone. The pain is dull or pulling. Even after eating a small amount of food, a feeling of heaviness and fullness of the abdomen appears.
On palpation, stress in the epigastric zone can be easily detected. It is often accompanied by:
- Nausea.
- Burping.
- Diarrhea.
- Bloating.
- Migraine
- Dizziness.
For this type of ailment, the appearance of aversion to certain products is characteristic. Hungry pains do not occur.
The clinical picture with Helicobacter pylori gastritis type B
The course of this type of ailment is accompanied by an increase in the acidity of the gastric juice. The active life activity of the pathogenic microorganism Helicobacter pylori acts as a provoking factor.
In the acute phase, a person feels a stabbing or cutting pain in the epigastric region. Sometimes it can be cramping. In this case, the person occupies a forced position in which the intensity of the pain is less.
If the pathology is chronic, the pain is pulling or dull. It arises at night at the same time as a feeling of hunger.
The following symptoms are accompanying: migraine, dizziness, general weakness.
Gastritis with reflux esophagitis.
In this case, a condition in which there is a reverse reflux of bile into the stomach acts as a provoking factor. Regarding how it hurts. Gastritis of this type can cause symptoms of varying intensity. A distinctive feature is that the discomfort does not appear immediately after the meal, but after a few hours.
In addition, discomfort occurs at night. If there were long breaks between meals, hunger pains also appear. In this case, it is important to eliminate the reason why bile is thrown back into the stomach.
Catarrhal pain
This form of the disease develops against the background of an intoxication process caused by the use of low-quality food and alcohol-containing drinks, as well as the long-term use of medications.
Pain with catarrhal gastritis is pronounced, but short-lived. It has a stabbing or cutting character. In addition, a person has signs of general intoxication (belching, vomiting, headache, nausea, general malaise).
Gastritis of a corrosive type
In this case, it is customary to talk about the defeat of the deep layers of the organ mucosa. The main reason for the development of the disease is the penetration into the stomach of toxic chemical compounds, as a result of contact with which healthy tissues get burned.
Regarding how it hurts. Gastritis of this type is characterized by unbearable sensations. The pain is so acute that it is almost impossible to endure. A man tries to take a forced position in order to weaken its manifestations.
Concomitant symptoms:
- Headache.
- Burning in the chest. It is so strong that it seems to a person that he is burning.
Ignoring the warning signs leads to ulcer and internal bleeding.
Pain with phlegmonous gastritis
The course of this type of pathology is accompanied by the release of purulent exudate from the mucosa. The main reason for the development of phlegmonous gastritis is the ingestion of solid particles or foreign objects that can damage tissues.
Pain syndrome can have a different nature and localization. Differentiate phlegmonous gastritis from other types of ailment according to the following symptoms:
- Rapid pulse.
- Elevated body temperature.
- Migraine.
- Dizziness.
- Diarrhea.
- Vomiting with various impurities.
Patients note that the pain stops after taking antispasmodics or drinking cow's milk.
Treatment
Ignoring the symptoms is unacceptable. If the stomach hurts, what should I do? Gastritis is a pathology treated by a gastroenterologist. It is to him that one should turn when the first alarming symptoms occur. The specialist will collect anamnesis, conduct a physical examination and draw up a referral for a comprehensive diagnosis, based on the results of which will determine the further management tactics of the patient.
The treatment of gastritis directly depends on the form of the disease. But in all cases, a strict diet is indicated. All food consumed should be as sparing as possible. It is unacceptable to eat too hot or very cold dishes. Food should be warm, mashed, not contain spices. Only a small amount of salt can be added to dishes. Food should be fractional. The diet must be observed even during the period of remission.
One of the most important points of treatment is smoking cessation and the use of alcohol-containing drinks. Not a single diet or even the most effective medication will help to cope with an illness if a person does not get rid of bad habits.
Treatment of acute gastritis, accompanied by a pronounced deterioration in well-being, requires emergency measures. In such cases, it is necessary to call an ambulance team. Doctors carry out the following actions:
- Gastric lavage. It is carried out until particles of food are contained in the vomit.
- Introduction "Papaverine". The drug eliminates cramping and relieves pain.
- The introduction of drugs that relieve nausea and vomiting.
- In severe cases, antibiotic therapy is indicated.
After emergency treatment, patients are shown complete hunger on the first day. Subsequently, a sparing diet is necessary.
In 90% of cases, the "culprit" of chronic gastritis is the active life of Helicobacter pylori. In this regard, the main goal of treatment is the destruction of a pathogenic microorganism. In addition to Helicobacter pylori, symptomatic therapy is carried out aimed at stopping pain, heartburn, belching.
Finally
The term "gastritis" refers to inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach lining the organ from the inside. The development of the pathological process can start under the influence of various provoking factors. Every second person at least once in his life was interested in where it hurts with gastritis. The disease has several types and, accordingly, various clinical manifestations. A gastroenterologist can provide information on how and where it hurts with gastritis, how to treat pathology and how to eat. The doctor must be consulted when the first alarming signs occur in order to prevent the development of all kinds of complications.