Each of us knows pain and heaviness in the stomach. Not uncommon and the occurrence of belching and heartburn after a heavy meal. In some cases, these unpleasant symptoms may indicate the development of serious chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. If the patient is regularly tormented by belching, the stomach constantly hurts - this is an occasion to make an appointment with a gastroenterologist.
Common Causes of Symptoms
Belching is an unpleasant phenomenon, accompanied by the release of gases from the stomach. It appears after swallowing air when eating, which causes its accumulation in the stomach and intestines. The stomach hurts and belching at the same time is a symptom of the pathology of the peritoneal organs.
- If the pain is deployed a little to the right of the solar plexus, at the level of the stomach, and the belching has a bitter aftertaste, this is most likely due to chronic cholecystitis, impaired bile outflow, and liver diseases.
- If the dislocation of pain is a little to the left of the solar plexus, at the level of the stomach, the belching has an acidic or hydrogen sulfide taste - the reason is the deficiency of enzymes produced by the pancreas.
- If the pain is felt a little higher than the solar plexus - the matter is in the pathologies of the esophagus. It can be erosion, polyps and other diseases.
- The dislocation of pain just below the area of the stomach indicates problems with the intestines, kidneys (if the pain gives back to the lower back).
Stomach and belching hurts: which doctor should I go to?
First of all, you need to take a coupon referral to a local GP. He should describe in detail his complaints - a stomach ache, diarrhea, belching, constipation - do not be shy to describe the negative symptoms. A detailed story about the patient's well-being will create the most accurate clinical picture. The therapist will write out the direction for standard tests in this case - this is blood biochemistry, a general analysis of urine and feces.
After receiving the test results on hand, the clinical picture will become clearer as much as possible, and it will be possible to talk about a full-fledged diagnosis.
After that, the therapist will write out a coupon for a consultation with a doctor, a specialist in gastroenterology, who is directly involved in the pathology of the gastrointestinal tract.
What research and analysis should be taken
A gastroenterologist will examine the patient during an examination - if your stomach hurts on an empty stomach or after eating. And belching: what is its intensity, does it bring pain, is it accompanied by an unpleasant smell. After the survey, the gastroenterologist will refer the patient to the following studies:
- determination of sugar level (blood test);
- radiography of the abdominal cavity;
- fibrogastroduodenoscopy;
- analysis of gastric juice;
- Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity.
After receiving the results of these studies, an accurate diagnosis will be established and medication prescribed, and recommendations on a therapeutic diet will be given.
Gastritis and peptic ulcer
Gastritis often causes aching dull pain in the abdominal region. They are especially pronounced on an empty stomach. After eating, they subside. Belching with gastritis is either completely absent or rare.
With peptic ulcer, pain is much more intense than with gastritis. In some cases, it is so strong that it literally makes the patient lie down or crouch in order to somehow stop the attack. Peptic ulcer disease is a serious pathology, it should not be allowed to drift. In the absence of adequate treatment, the disease will go to the terminal stage and will give many complications. One of the most serious is internal bleeding, which can sometimes be fatal.
Liver diseases as a cause of burping, stomach pain, nausea
The gall bladder and liver are organs without the healthy functioning of which well-being is impossible. If the stomach often hurts, belching eggs, a bitter taste in the mouth in the morning - this indicates problems with the outflow of bile. In some cases, this condition is a symptom of chronic cholecystitis.
To stop the manifestations of cholecystitis and restore the flow of bile, special drugs are prescribed:
- Hofitol;
- Holosas
- Ursosan
- Ursofalk.
In all these drugs, the active substance is different. In each individual case, one or another drug should be prescribed. A gastroenterologist or hepatologist can make an exact appointment after receiving the research results.
If the stomach hurts and belching begins after taking alcoholic beverages, it is most likely toxic hepatitis. Perhaps he is only at the initial stage of development. You can find out the exact diagnosis and undergo a full examination after consultation with a hepatologist.
Pancreas and pancreatitis
If the dislocation of pain is a little to the left of the solar plexus, at the level of the stomach, belching has an acidic or hydrogen sulfide taste - the reason is the deficiency of enzymes produced by the pancreas. The most common cause of impaired functioning of this organ is chronic pancreatitis.
This condition is an inflammation of the cells of the pancreas, as a result of which the production of enzymes necessary for the digestion of food is disrupted. Because of this, food can stand in the stomach undigested for hours, as a result of which a strong belching appears. In this case, the stomach aches sporadically: the pain then subsides, then returns again. In such cases, special therapy is required.
If the stomach hurts and burping occurs due to pancreatitis, then drugs that include enzymes will help.
Enzymes for stomach pain: in what cases will help?
List of drugs that will help with pancreatitis:
- Festal is an inexpensive (about three hundred rubles per package) drug that is designed to make up for the deficiency of its own enzymes in the body. Release form - tablets or capsules. The course of admission is long, at least a month. Two to three capsules should be taken per day (the amount depends on the severity of the disease).
- Pancreatin is a cheap domestic analogue of Mezima. If the first package costs about 100 rubles, then for the Mezima package you will have to pay about 300. Both drugs are artificially synthesized pancreatic enzymes. Almost immediately after taking the pill, the digestion process starts, the lump of undigested food dissolves, belching passes and the pain in the abdominal region is relieved.
- Omez (it has a cheaper analogue called Omeprazole) reduces the production of hydrochloric acid. It should be consumed before meals for medical purposes when diagnosing a stomach ulcer or gastritis. Effective for paroxysmal, aching, acute pain in the abdominal region. The course of admission is at least two months (the exact duration will be reported by the gastroenterologist).
Prokinetics for abdominal pain and belching
These are special drugs that regulate the motility of the gastrointestinal tract. You can purchase them without a prescription at any pharmacy. With regular use, they prevent the condition when the stomach hurts and belching with air causes discomfort. Here is a list of the most popular prokinetics:
- Motilium and Motilak are inexpensive and effective drugs. The main effect is on the motility of the stomach and duodenum, since there is the largest number of receptors sensitive to the active substance. Virtually no effect on the intestines. These drugs have a pronounced antiemetic effect.
- “Navoban” can normalize the functioning of the lower sphincter of the esophagus for a long time, preventing the reflux of gastric contents. It has a pronounced antiemetic effect.
- "Iberogast" is a drug whose action is based on the effect of plant extracts that are part of the capsules. The mechanism of action is associated with the individual effect of each plant on the digestive tract. Quickly and efficiently normalizes motor activity and practically has no side effects. Of the contraindications, it has only individual intolerance to plant components.
Probiotics to normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract
The principle of action of probiotics is that they infuse beneficial microflora into the intestine, and at the same time, they contribute to the complete or partial elimination of pathogenic bacteria, which often cause abdominal pain.
What to do: a stomach ache, belching, heartburn and all this is accompanied by diarrhea? This is a direct indication for taking probiotic drugs. It is worth trying the following drugs:
- Linex
- "Bifidumbacterin."
- Acipol.
- Beefiform.
Carminative drugs in the fight against pain and bloating
If the patient complains that the stomach hurts and belching with a hydrogen sulfide taste is accompanied by bloating, antifoam preparations will be prescribed. This is a special class of drugs that people call "carminative". Within half an hour from the moment of administration, they help to reduce bloating, relieve pain, normalize digestion. Often it is forbidden to take antifoam agents - they can provoke "lazy bowel syndrome".
The most effective antifoam agents:
- Espumisan.
- Pepsan.
- Enterosgel (it also has sorbent properties).
Therapeutic diet for stomach pain and digestive disorders
Any gastroenterologist will confirm that, whatever the cause of pain in the abdominal region, certain nutritional rules must be followed. It often happens that the patient does not even have to resort to the help of specialized medicines - just adjust the diet, and pain with burping go from the distant past.
The rules of nutrition, if you are often worried about stomach pain, belching and heartburn:
- refuse to eat grapes and bananas;
- reduce the intake of food that has been roasted and baked with plenty of oil;
- refuse to eat fast food: burgers, french fries, etc .;
- should be reduced to a minimum in the diet of cabbage;
- the use of bakery products is minimized (only whole-grain baked goods are allowed to be used).
Prevention of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
Tips from gastroenterologists to help forget about heartburn, belching and pain in the abdominal region for years:
- Silence when absorbing food, because conversations provoke the penetration of air into the stomach. Subsequently, belching and bloating occurs.
- Minimize the nervous situation around the patient, since chronic stress is a catalyst for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
- The habit of going to bed after eating should be eradicated: this contributes to indigestion and the release of part of what is eaten into the esophagus.
- You should completely abandon the use of alcoholic beverages and smoking. These habits are truly fatal to the abdominal organs.
- Forget about physical exercises after eating, otherwise the load will turn into a burp.