Discover the six surprising causes of stomach pain, from gallstones to peptic ulcers. Learn how to identify the symptoms and when you should seek medical help for abdominal discomfort.
Everyone has a stomachache at some point in their lives. Some problems, like gas or indigestion, can cause discomfort from time to time, but some are more serious and need medical attention. Knowing what causes stomach pain can help you make smart choices about your health. We’ll talk about six frequent reasons for stomach discomfort in this post, along with their symptoms, treatments, and when to consult a doctor.
1. Gallstones: Pain in the Upper Right Abdomen
Gallstones are hardened bile deposits that build up in the gallbladder. They can clog the bile ducts, which can make the upper right abdomen hurt a lot. People often say that this discomfort is intense or like a cramp. It usually happens after eating a fatty meal and may also make you feel sick and throw up. Sometimes, gallstones can cause biliary colic, which needs medical care or surgery to remove the gallbladder.
Signs of Gallstones:
- A lot of pain in the upper right abdomen
- Feeling sick and throwing up
- Pain after eating meals that are high in fat
How to treat:
- Cholecystectomy, or surgery to remove the gallbladder, is the most common treatment. In rare circumstances, medicines that break up the stones may be administered.
2. Appendicitis: A Pain That Comes on Quickly and Is Very Bad
Appendicitis happens Sore appendix, which itself is attached to the large intestine. Pallor. Usually, the pain starts near the belly button and moves to the lower right abdomen. It gets worse when you move, cough, or sneeze, and you might also have a fever, nausea, and a loss of appetite.
Signs of Appendicitis:
- A sharp ache in the lower right side of the stomach
- Feeling sick and throwing up
- Chills and fever
- Not wanting to eat
How to treat:
- If you have appendicitis, you need to see a doctor right away. Most of the time, surgery to take out the appendix (appendectomy) is needed.
3. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Pain in the stomach that feels like it’s burning
When germs get into the urinary system, they can cause a urinary tract infection (UTI). Women are more likely to get UTIs, and they commonly cause pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic area. When you have pain, you may also feel like you need to urinate a lot, have hazy or strong-smelling urine, and feel like you have to urinate a lot.
Signs of a UTI:
- Urination that hurts
- Wanting to pee a lot
- Pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis
- Urine that is cloudy or red
Care:
- Antibiotics are usually used to treat UTIs and get rid of the infection. You can help keep things from getting worse by drinking a lot of water and staying away from things that bother you, such as caffeine and alcohol.
4. Constipation: Pain and bloating
When bowel movements are hard to pass or happen less often, you have constipation. The effect is generally stomach bloating, pain, and cramps. People who are constipated may feel pain that goes away when they have a bowel movement.
Signs of Constipation:
- Bowel movements that are rare or hard to do
- A sense of fullness and bloating
- Pain or cramps in the stomach
How to treat it:
- Taking more fiber, drinking more water, and using over-the-counter laxatives can all assist with constipation. If the symptoms don’t go away, you should consult a doctor for more tests.
5. Peptic ulcers cause burning pain in the stomach area.
Peptic ulcers are lesions that form on the inside of the stomach or the top of the small intestine. When you have an ulcer, the pain usually feels like a burning feeling in your stomach. It may be worse when your stomach is empty, as between meals or at night.
Signs of Peptic Ulcers:
- Pain that feels like burning in the abdominal area
- Feeling sick or throwing up
- Not wanting to eat
What to do:
- If you have a peptic ulcer, your doctor will probably give you medicines to kill the germs that are causing it (if there are any), medications to lower stomach acid, and advice on how to adjust your lifestyle, such as not drinking alcohol or eating particular foods.
6. Gastritis is the sixth condition, and it is when the lining of the stomach becomes inflamed.
Gastritis occurs when the lining of the stomach becomes inflamed. This can happen because of drinking too much alcohol, using certain drugs, or getting a bacterial infection like Helicobacter pylori. The pain is usually either intense or dull, and it comes with nausea, vomiting, and a full stomach.
Signs of Gastritis:
- Pain or discomfort in the upper stomach
- Feeling sick and throwing up
- Feeling full or bloated
How to treat:
- Antacids or proton pump inhibitors are typically used to lower stomach acid, and antibiotics are given if the gastritis is caused by a bacterial infection.
When to Get Medical Help
If you have any of the following, you should see a doctor even if your stomach pain is mild:
- Abdominal discomfort that doesn’t go away or is very bad
- Fever and stomach ache together
- Feeling sick and throwing up makes it hard to eat or drink
- Blood in your vomit or stool
- Pain that wakes you up at night
Conditions including appendicitis, gallstones, and peptic ulcers need medical attention right away. Early diagnosis and treatment can help avoid problems and make things better.
Conclusion: Be in charge of your digestive health
It’s typical to have stomach pain, but knowing what causes it and what its symptoms are can help you make better health choices. If you have ongoing or severe stomach pain, you should consult a doctor right away. Knowing when to get treatment can make a big difference in your health, whether you have something as simple as constipation or as serious as appendicitis.
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