In ancient times, the term "stomach" meant a completely different term than it is at present, and symbolized vital activity in the broadest meaning of this phrase. Then the essence of the concept narrowed. However, the stomach is still directly connected with the existence, since it is in it that almost all significant organs are present: the liver, gall bladder, intestinal tract, spleen, stomach, pancreas, kidneys and adrenal glands, bladder.
In addition, representatives of the stronger sex in the lower abdomen (abdominal cavity) have a prostate and seminal vesicles, and girls have internal female genital organs, which include the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries.
Since all organs are placed very closely, often only a doctor can establish a clear root cause of a particular pain or pain in the abdomen after a painstaking examination and as a result of obtaining the results of medical laboratory tests. The treatment and causes of pain in the stomach after eating and in front of her are many. We will deal with some of them.
What can hurt in the stomach?
Today's selection in grocery supermarkets is impressive in variety. Breathtaking colorful packaging, chic food selection greatly simplifies life - it is possible to cook dinner in a couple of minutes and cater to the tastes of even very critical connoisseurs of good cuisine. However, a certain way of life is only one side of the problem. Another, less fun, is found at the appointment of a gastroenterologist.
Quick meals, snacks, semi-finished meals and all kinds of goodies, smoked foods better than other factors provoke gastric diseases. Cramps in the stomach and abdomen are the main symptom that accompanies digestive pathologies, and is well known to most.
In order for the doctor to establish the diagnosis as concretely as possible (we are talking about the initial (preparatory) diagnosis, which is necessary in order to remove critical signs), it is necessary to state your own feelings and their localization as concretely as possible (the area where these feelings are more vivid).
Of course, in order to determine a clear diagnosis, more different examinations and laboratory tests are needed, and only the results of absolutely all analyzes will make it possible to draw final conclusions. For this reason, in no case should one dwell on intermediate (hypothetical) conclusions. When cutting in the stomach, it must be borne in mind that directly in the abdomen are concentrated quite important organs:
- If pain or all kinds of other unpleasant feelings appear slightly below the ribs, then the doctor will talk about inflammatory actions in the inlet of the stomach; about pathologies of the digestive tract; about liver diseases, and it can also be hepatitis (there are several) and cirrhosis. Each condition needs a specific treatment. The causes of stomach aches and diarrhea in this case can be established independently.
- If the pain is concentrated in the upper abdomen on the right side, then there is reason to suspect cholecystitis. This is one of the more frequent complications of gallstone disease, which is called inflammation of the gallbladder. It should be noted that cholecystitis is different, pain and other symptoms also vary slightly. In addition, in the same place, on the upper right side , there is pain with gallstone diseases, which is called cholelithiasis.
- With the concentration of pain and other unpleasant feelings in the upper abdomen and approximately to the navel, we can talk about pangastritis, that is, chronic gastritis, which affects the fundus and antrum of the stomach. However, in some cases, pain in this area can indicate intestinal pathologies, that is, problems with the intestinal tract.
- Sensing pain in the epigastric zone (under the stomach) and in the hypochondrium, it can be suspected that this thread is due to duodenitis, or another inflammation of the duodenum (often the conversation is only about inflammation of the mucous membrane of the duodenum). In order to clarify: the epigastric zone is the area of the abdomen that is located directly under the chest. But such a location of pain with duodenitis is not necessary, since in diseases of the intestinal tract, pain in most cases is concentrated slightly below the navel.
- If it is difficult or unrealistic to determine the causes of stomach aches and diarrhea, then the doctor will suspect a stomach ulcer or a tumor.
Types of pain
To the doctor, to more specifically establish the true cause of the pain, the main thing is to know when this pain appears.
The bottom line is that the main work of the gastrointestinal tract is the assimilation of food, for this reason you can track the direct relationship between the time of eating and pain:
- If the pain appears soon after eating, or rather after twenty minutes (in some cases, this period can reach up to 40 minutes), and remains measured for a rather long time (up to 3 hours), then this is called early pain. Such pain subsides if the dish (the food that enters the stomach and is digested) undergoes the main processing in the stomach. Early pain in the stomach can indicate various inflammatory diseases of the middle and lower parts of the stomach, as well as talk about gastritis, peptic ulcer and polyposis that has formed on the inner surface of the intestine.
- If the pain occurs after a sufficiently long period after eating (not earlier than one hour, but the period of onset of pain can be 2 hours after eating) and at the same time it has an increasing character, that is, it increases and becomes very intense, this is called late pain. Such sensations often prevail after emptying the intestinal tract. Belated pain appears with numerous diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: gastritis with high acidity, with duodenitis, with frequent pancreatitis, ulcerative lesions of the stomach and duodenum, cholelithiasis and cancer.
- If pain occurs after a very long period after eating (after 4-5 hours) and it can be described as dragging and quite strong, but often such pain disappears after a couple of sips of sweet tea or after a small meal (fruit, cracker or nuts) then we can say about hunger pain. It is quite stereotyped for peptic ulcer of the stomach or duodenal gut, as well as for pre-ulcerated conditions.
- Many doctors separately evaluate night pain in the epigastric zone. Such pain can last up to 3 hours in a row. Often, such pain disappears after a certain period after simple food enters the stomach.
Mechanism of occurrence
Often the root cause of cutting pain in the stomach is digestive upset, and more specifically, a failure of intestinal motility, the inability of the body to promote food that has entered the gastrointestinal tract.
Peristalsis is a uniform contractions of the intestinal tract, which are wave-like in nature.
The gastrointestinal tract is a very susceptible department that reacts energetically to unreasonable diets, to an improper diet, to tense situations and to numerous other living conditions that may not be related to digestion.
Any negative factors can significantly aggravate smooth muscle contractions, and unhealthy cramps can occur instead of wave-like contractions. And then these cramps will become a prerequisite for cutting abdominal pain.
Acute appendicitis
Appendicitis, which is scientifically called inflammation of the vermiform appendix of the cecum, can be the cause of pain in the stomach and temperature. Acute appendicitis is a dangerous disease, in some cases it can be fatal (in cases of severe peritonitis).
Acute appendicitis can be felt by a sharp cutting annoying pain that occurs first in the navel, and then instantly (however, the rate of spread of pain is very individual) spreads throughout the abdomen. After a certain number of hours, the cutting pain is concentrated in one single area (most often this is the area of localization of the cuts with appendicitis - the right iliac zone).
If the cause of severe pain in the stomach is inflammation of the appendix, then in most situations, in addition to pain, vomiting and nausea occur. Often there is a fever (an individual temperature reflex, but in some cases the fever can rise to crisis indicators). Often, this situation is accompanied by dry mucous membranes of the mouth.
If such pain suddenly and quickly stops, this is more likely a cause for even greater concern, since it can be a rupture of the appendix wall. Inflammation itself poses a significant threat to life.
That is, only a timely visit to the doctor, relevant diagnostics and timely surgical intervention can provide a favorable outcome for this disease.
Cramps in the stomach during pregnancy
Often in the stomach during pregnancy there are feelings of discomfort, pain. In ordinary people, this is an indicator of gastritis or ulcers, but during pregnancy this is a standard phenomenon, since the uterus grows and begins to press on the internal organs. Of course, if during pregnancy other signs are added to the cuts, namely diarrhea, nausea and fever, then you need to go to the doctor for an examination to determine the real root cause.
If no diseases are found by the doctor, then the woman in the position will be required to take a special course of medications, which the doctor will prescribe, and also follow an established diet to balance acidity and remove a lump in the throat, heartburn, gum, and other signs. During pregnancy, self-treatment, including nation-wide methods, is prohibited, otherwise complications or premature births may appear.
If the girl is not in position and she has cramps in her stomach, a lump in her throat appears, then the reproductive system is considered the primary cause. Symptoms may be due to monthly cycle failures. Many pregnant women have an ovarian cyst or uterine tumor. You do not need to discard the onset of symptoms due to an infection that has been sexually transmitted. Cramps in the right side or left, in the middle of the abdomen can be due to stress or unrest.
What to do with cutting in the stomach?
Often, abdominal discomfort appears unexpectedly. Faced with this difficulty, no one is in a hurry for specialized medical care, preferring to be treated on their own. There are situations that going to the doctor is impossible. In this case, it is permitted to accept:
- antispasmodics - "Drotaverin", "Buscopan" will remove painful spasms, have a slight disinfecting effect;
- enzymes - "Mikrasim", "Creon" can help with pancreatitis, establish the digestion procedure;
- if the root cause of the cuts is malnutrition, resulting in diarrhea and indigestion, Omeprazole, Ranitidine can help; substances contribute to the restoration and renewal of the inflamed mucous membrane of the stomach;
- antacids - "Fosfalugel", "Maalox", "Almagel" are ready to neutralize hydrochloric acid contained in gastric secretions, substances can help with painful episodes caused by exacerbation of gastritis;
- adsorbents can help with poisoning - Polysorb, Filtrum, Enterosgel; drugs of this category remove toxins from the intestinal tract, inhibit diarrhea.
Strictly forbidden
For various reasons, cutting in the stomach and intestines is prohibited:
- apply heating pads and hot compresses to the abdomen;
- do rubbing;
- put cleansing enemas;
- to consume a large amount of food - it is more correct to refuse food.
When is it worth visiting a doctor?
If the problem appeared and went away without the help of a doctor, there are no special grounds for concern at all. With periodic renewal of pain, you should go to a specialist. The attending doctor will prescribe a suitable study, if necessary, therapy. To treat repeatedly repeated pain at home is unacceptable.
The main symptoms that serve as a signal for immediately seeking medical help:
- painful pains, accompanied by repeated vomiting the color of coffee grounds, have every chance of talking about internal hemorrhage;
- dark feces - an indicator of intestinal bleeding;
- fever, diarrhea, pain, spreading through the abdomen - a criterion of appendicitis, intestinal infections;
- sharp dagger pain can indicate a rupture of the ulcer and incipient peritonitis (inflammation and infection of the stomach).
Folk recipes
Alternative methods of treatment are based on herbal medicine and the use of other harmless ingredients - honey, aloe juice, plantain. Decoctions and infusions of herbs, regardless of their natural origin, it is more appropriate to take after consulting a doctor, as part of complex therapy.
Recipes
Popular recipes for traditional medicine:
- chamomile infusion (1 sachet per glass of hot water) will help soothe the inflamed mucosa and remove cramps, normalize digestion; take chamomile more correctly in the intervals between food, 50 milliliters 5-6 times a day;
- aloe juice - a good medicine for ulcers and duodenitis, it is allowed to use pharmacy or collected juice from the leaves of the plant; the method of administration is simple - 10 milliliters for 10-15 minutes before eating;
- a mixture of honey and plantain juice can perfectly help with digestive upset and severe pain; for the manufacture it is necessary to stir in equal amounts of liquid honey and juice of the leaves of plantain, boil and cool; consume 10 milliliters 25-40 minutes before a meal.