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Plainly put, stomach pain is pain that occurs in the general tummy area or the area between the chest and the pelvic region. Stomach pains can occur in the form of cramps, a dull ache, or a sharp pain.
Stomach pains usually disappear on their own and are not serious. However, if the stomach pain is severe and chronic then it is a cause for concern and needs to be diagnosed by a doctor.
The common symptoms that usually accompany stomach pain are:
The more serious symptoms that cause stomach pain and would require a medical investigation are:
In general usual stomach pains are caused by:
Some health issues can cause severe stomach pain. They include:
First of all, notice what type of pain it is. Is it accompanied by cramps? Does it come and go? Is it a sharp shooting pain?
Notice what other symptoms are accompanying the pain. If the pain is crampy accompanied by gas it could be related to menstruation if you are a woman. If it is accompanied by vomiting it could be related to indigestion, food intolerance, or acidity.
If the cramps are severe it could mean the intestines are vigorously contracting.
If accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting you will need to get a medical diagnosis because it could be stomach infection or something more serious.
If it is due to a more serious issue such as appendicitis you will feel a dull pain near the navel or the upper abdomen which becomes sharp as it progresses to the lower right abdomen. This pain is accompanied by and/or vomiting.
If it is acute pancreatitis you may experience a steady pain in the upper abdomen and upper back.
In any case, if stomach pain is steady, severe and is accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, blood in stools, or even cessation of bowel and bladder movement and any of the other serious symptoms mentioned above you need to get a medical examination done by a doctor immediately.
The seriousness of the stomach pain also depends on how long the pain lasts or if it comes and goes intermittently. This, in turn, depends on the cause of the stomach pain.
Stomach pain and discomfort caused by acidity, indigestion, gastritis, constipation, and even food allergies and intolerance will not continue beyond a few hours.
If the pain is related to acid-related conditions such as GERD or ulcers the pain keeps occurring over a period of weeks or even months. If the pain is related to IBS it will wax and wane for a period of weeks, months and even years.
If the pain is related to organ cancer or conditions such as a hernia it will continue till proper treatment is administered and there is a recovery from the underlying condition.
Sudden actions such as coughing or sneezing may make the pain worse. And of course for serious conditions, if treatment is not taken immediately the pain may become severe with serious consequences.
If the stomach pain persists you will need to visit a general physician who will ask you questions regarding your medical history, any recent illnesses, the food you ate recently, if you suffer from allergies or any food intolerance. The doctor will perform a medical examination by pressing different parts of your abdomen to find any signs of tenderness, inflammations, mass growth.
He may also suggest you undertake the following tests based on the symptoms accompanying the stomach pain :
If the cause of the stomach pain is stomach infections or acidity the doctor may suggest a change of diet. He may suggest you eat less or non-spicy foods and drink plenty of water and clear juices. Even in cases of IBS, a change of diet can work wonders.
If the cause of stomach pain is more serious the doctor may suggest surgery i.e. if the causes necessitate it, and prescribe medications.
Certain foods aggravate ulcers, but they don't cause them. In up to 95% of cases, a gastrointestinal bacterium called Helicobacter pylori is to blame. One of every two people catch this bug when they around 60 years of age, though most never know it. (It's thought to be spread through person-to-person contact like kissing or consuming contaminated food or water.) Just 10% of people develop ulcers.
Less than 10% of inguinal hernias (by far the most common type) are caused by physically strenuous activity. The real cause is weak abdominal walls that allow parts of your intestines to bulge outward when pressure is exerted on them. Blame genetics or previous surgeries for these weak spots. Women who've had Cesarean sections, appendectomies, or similar surgeries are at higher risk because their abdominal muscles have been cut. Severe coughing, being overweight, and even straining during bowel movements can also lead to tears in the abdominal wall. Without surgery, the weakened areas and the intestinal bulge will only get larger over time.
A fiber-rich diet, one with at least 20 to 35 grams of fiber a day, keeps your bowel movement regular. But if you're feeling constipated, fiber can actually worsen symptoms such as bloating and stomach pains, while water provides little relief, according to an article published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology. The best course of action is to be sure you are regulary exercising.
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Well for the pain you can take any antispasmodic like mefenamic acid...An about the loose motions..I also need to know about the associated symptoms.. after examination I can decide whether I need to start antibiotics or only prescribe ors sachets with probiotics....Meet a physician...Thank you