Why your stomach hurts
Stomach pain after meals is usual in people who consume too much food, the most common, usually among overweight people and children.Power consumption of a quantity greater than the body can digest causes fatigue and need for sleep habit – sleeping the afternoon – is in many cases responsible for stomach pain. Overeating, unhealthy diet and sleep after eating affects the digestive process leading to many health problems.
Severe pain in the right lower abdomen can be caused by appendicitis. The pain may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting or fever and requires medical attention. Cholelithiasis (gallstones) is another condition that can cause pain in this area, pain may spread to the right portion of the back, right shoulder and chest.
Severe pain in the upper abdomen that is installed after serving a meal or persisting pain 6-12 hours after a meal, may be due to pancreatitis. Pain sensation starts in the upper abdomen and extends on the sides and back area, may be followed by nausea, palpitations or fever.
Very sharp pain is a common symptom of diseases such as pelvic inflammatory disease, heart attack, perforated ulcer, food poisoning or diabetes.
Stomach cramps or pain moderate short and sharp the next meal is caused by intestinal obstruction and vomiting may follow very unpleasant odor.
Accompanied by severe cramping pain in the lower left abdomen are symptoms of diverticulitis.
Stomach pain accompanied by bloating is caused by lactose intolerance.
Short and sharp pain in the presence of bloating and less than 3 bowel movements per week are signs of constipation. If the menu does not include enough fiber daily diet and do not consume sufficient amounts of liquid meals can be followed by constipation and stomach pain.
Fatigue after meals, accompanied by stomach pain and bloating can be a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome.
Stomach problems may be caused by eating plenty of fluids after meals, which dilutes stomach acid. An appropriate concentration of acid help kill unhealthy bacteria and fungi in food and keep your digestive system healthy. By diluting stomach acid, slows digestion and surviving bacteria causing diarrhea in many situations.
Infection by bacteria or viruses can cause gastric pain after meals, when bacteria get into the body, it reacts and tries to remove the infection by diarrhea and vomiting nausea after eating is often common in such situations. Food poisoning, pneumonia or urinary tract infections are caused by bacterial infections.
Indigestion – non-ulcer dyspepsia
Indigestion is defined as a vague feeling of abdominal discomfort and may include:
- Nausea;
- Excessive belching;
- Bloating;
- Decreased appetite;
Symptoms may be aggravated in the presence of depression, anxiety.
Usually, indigestion is not a serious health problem, unless complications arise, such as weight or difficulty swallowing.
Indigestion is a common medical condition and can be caused by:
- Alcohol consumption;
- Spicy foods;
- Fat, high-fiber foods;
- Eating in haste;
- Overeating;
- Excess caffeine;
- Emotional stress;
- Smoking;
- Certain medications: antibiotics, aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Food intolerance
Food intolerance or non-allergic food hypersensitivity occurs when the digestive system is unable to produce enough enzymes to digest certain types of food. Body reaction may be delayed up to 48 hours and is manifested by:
- Nausea and / or vomiting;
- Heartburn (heartburn);
- Stomach cramps;
- Diarrhea;
- Headache;
The most common forms of food intolerance are:
- Lactose intolerance (1 in 10 people have this deficiency);
- Intolerance to gluten (in time, lead to celiac disease);
- Intolerance to carbohydrates;
- Intolerance to alcohol;
- Fructose intolerance (rare genetic disorder);
Gastritis
Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining and is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Lack of appetite;
- Dyspepsia (gastrointestinal symptoms, indigestion);
- Excessive belching;
- Bloating;
The main causes of the disease are excessive alcohol consumption or prolonged administration of anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen. In some cases, gastritis develops as a result of major surgery, bacterial infection (Helicobacter pylori), periods of strong stress.
The condition can be prevented by:
- Establishing a healthy diet;
- Limiting or avoiding alcohol;
- Stopping smoking;
- Avoid excessive painkillers.
Gastric ulcer
Gastric ulcer was manifested by symptoms of burning pain and nausea, high intensity night in the absence of supply (on an empty stomach), but improved after meal.
Other symptoms:
- Gastrointestinal bleeding – hematemesis (vomiting blood), melena (bleeding bottom);
- Increased or decreased appetite;
- Unexplained weight loss;
Infection with Helicobacter pylori is the most common cause of stomach ulcers.
Among the factors that favor the worsening condition is mentioned:
- Smoking;
- Alcohol abuse;
- Regular use of analgesics;
- Stress;
Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis is a condition that causes irritation and inflammation of the intestine (gut) and is manifested by:
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Moderate diarrhea;
- Fever;
- Abdominal cramps;
In severe cases:
- Hematemesis (vomiting of blood);
- Vomiting during more than 48 hours;
- Fever pronounced (40 degrees C);
- Dehydration – weakness, dry mouth and skin, lack of sweating.
The most common cause of the disease is viral infection (in 50-60% of cases), but in some cases, bacteria and parasites may be triggering agents. Starting from symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, the disease is often confused with food totiinfectia. Severity of the disease depends largely on the ability of the immune system to resist infection.
Gastroenteritis can be prevented by:
- Keep hands clean,
- Proper food preparation and storage,
- Strict hygiene;
- Vaccination against strains of Salmonella and rotavirus.
Hiatal hernia
Hiatal hernia occurs when a portion of the stomach enters the diaphragm. Diaphragm shows a small hole through which the esophagus connects to the stomach, passing a portion of the stomach through the opening causing a hiatal hernia and is manifested by:
- Nausea;
- Heartburn (heartburn);
- Gastric pain radiating to the chest;
- Frequent belching;
The main risk factors are:
- Age over 50 years;
- Obesity;
- Smoking;
- Pregnancy;
- Injuries to the abdomen;
- Heredity;
- Constipation;
- Abuse of cocaine;
- Congenital anomalies;
The condition can be treated, if necessary, medication or surgery.
Gastric carcinoma – cancer of the stomach
Gastric cancer begins, usually in the cells lining the stomach, over time, can invade deeper stomach wall.
The main symptoms include:
- Discomfort or pain in the abdomen;
- Indigestion;
- Vomiting;
- Difficulty in swallowing;
- Unexplained weight loss;
- Reduced bloating after a meal catitativ;
- Gastrointestinal bleeding – hematemesis (vomiting blood), melena (bleeding bottom);
According to studies, the main risk factors in the development of gastric cancer are:
- Infection with Helicobacter pylori;
- Long-term inflammation of the stomach (caused by certain diseases, such as pernicious anemia);
- Smoking;
- Family history of disease;
- Inappropriate diet in the presence of sedentary or overweight;
Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is a rare and complex, characterized by the formation of one or more tumors in the pancreas, duodenum, or both. Tumors cause the stomach to produce excess acid, favoring peptic ulcers, in some cases, tumors are cancerous and spread to other areas of the body.
Syndrome is manifested by:
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Diarrhea;
- Heartburn (heartburn);
- Bleeding in the stomach;
- Lack of appetite;
- Weight loss;
- Gastroesophageal reflux severe;
- Weakness;
- Anemia;
The causes of disease are still unknown, but sequence development are clear: It starts with the formation of tumors (gastrinom), which in some cases can be malignant (cancerous) tumors grow slowly, but cancer can spread to any part of the body, the more frequently in lymph nodes or liver.
Disease is considering simultaneously treating tumors and ulcers. Excess stomach acid can be controlled by medication.
Other possible causes of stomach pain
Pain in the upper left abdomen can be caused by:
- Spleen: rupture / abscess
- Aortic aneurysm;
- Slow intestinal transit;
- Colon perforation;
- Pyelonephritis (kidney damage left);
- Pneumonia (left lung);
- Perforated esophagus;
Pain in the right upper middle region may be caused:
- Myocardial infarction;
- Acute pancreatitis;
- Herpes zoster;
- Acute cholecystitis;
- Hepatitis;