Stomach pain generally refers to various types of discomfort and pain in the stomach and intestines. The medical term for stomach pain is gastralgia. However, in addition to stomach pain, sufferers also often suffer from abdominal pain or lower abdominal pain.
What is stomach pain?
Stomach pain mostly feels burning, stabbing or sharp. In this case, abdominal pain and stomach pain can occur for a short period of time or over a long period of time. Stomach pain is a symptom that most people are familiar with since childhood. In this case, the pain, as the name itself aptly expresses it, emanates from the stomach or abdominal region. Not always behind stomach pain must be a serious disease. Mostly stomach pains are quite harmless and go away after a short time. Often stomach pain is accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting and nausea. Stomach pain can also occur in the form of stomach cramps, in which the stomach pain then occurs cyclically and increased in a short time. Stomach pain mostly feels burning, stabbing or sharp. Stomach pain may occur only for a short time or for a longer period of time. Stomach pain can be classified locally according to its zone. In this way, there is stomach pain in the upper abdomen, in the lower abdomen as well as on the left and right side. It should be noted that stomach pain does not necessarily have to originate in the stomach itself. Other organs can also be responsible for it, so that the pain stimulus then radiates into the abdominal or stomach region. Possible organs for this would be mostly the intestine, the pancreas and more rarely the heart.
Causes
Since stomach pain often occurs in and with a wide variety of diseases, its causes are equally numerous. Mostly, however, stomach pain is rather harmless as a result of an upset stomach. As mentioned above, disorders of other organs, such as the pancreas, intestines and heart can also be considered for the stomach pain as a cause. A list of possible diseases as causes can be found below. Other causes of stomach pain include: smoking, heartburn, stomach ulcer, medications, too much alcohol, poisoning (such as mushroom poisoning), stress, eating disorders, psychosomatic problems, too much food in the stomach, and autoimmune diseases.
Diseases with this symptom
- Gastrointestinal flu
- Fungal poisoning
- Stomach ulcer
- Irritable stomach
- Gastritis inflammation
- Duodenal ulcer
- Food poisoning
- Burnout syndrome
- Food allergy
Diagnosis and course
Stomach pain, also called gastralgia, is not a disease in its own right, but can occur in many variations and forms and can only be correctly classified after a detailed discussion with the affected patient. To do this, the doctor must ask a few questions about possible previous illnesses, life circumstances or the duration and exact location of the stomach pain. The patient’s physique must also be examined. This is done with blood and ultrasound examinations as well as gastroscopy. Stomach pain manifests itself in a variety of ways. Pulling, squeezing or stabbing in the abdominal region can occur, as can cramps that occur at certain intervals. Constipation, vomiting or diarrhea may accompany the stomach pain and indicate a more serious illness.
Complications
In most cases, stomach pain is not problematic and subsides on its own after a few days, such as in the case of a gastrointestinal infection or improper diet. However, if a serious underlying disease is present, serious complications can occur. In rare cases, for example, an acute abdomen may be present, which can be life-threatening if not treated. A ruptured appendix or stomach or intestinal obstruction also brings serious complications if the underlying condition is not treated promptly. Stomach pain as a result of reflux disease can lead to a change in the cells in the esophagus, causing a condition called Barret’s ulcer. A Barrett’s esophagus increases the risk of developing esophageal cancer and also makes it difficult to eat. Stomach pain with diarrhea, in addition to other gastrointestinal problems, can also cause dehydration and various deficiency symptoms if it persists for more than two to three days.Complications can usually be ruled out when treating stomach pain. However, dietary measures should first be discussed with a doctor so that the underlying disease can be treated in a targeted manner and without complications. Sporadically, medications can lead to an increase in stomach pain, such as when an allergy or intolerance is present.
When should you see a doctor?
Mild stomach pain may be a reason to reconsider one’s eating habits. In acute cases, alkaline food or gentle food can soothe the aching stomach again. Carbonated scene drinks or coffee should be avoided. However, if the pain in the stomach continues or becomes stronger every hour, a doctor should be consulted promptly. Under no circumstances should sufferers trivialize heartburn, bloating and stomach pain over a long period of time. Mild stomach pain that occurs acutely after excessive alcohol consumption, nicotine abuse or similar sins can be treated by oneself. Heat, relaxation, massages and light food are helpful. Stomach problems that exist over a long period of time, if left untreated, can become chronic. Severe, sudden stomach pains are always an alarm signal. They require a visit to the doctor. After questioning about possible triggers, eating and drinking habits, the physician will perform some tests. Laboratory results, sonographies or X-rays ordered by the doctor often clarify the cause of the pain. If necessary, a test for the stomach bacterium Helicobacter Pylori should be undertaken. A so-called irritable stomach can also cause stomach pain. The affected person can treat this himself. Beforehand, however, other gastric dysfunctions should be ruled out as the cause of the pain by means of careful differential diagnostics. If mental stress is causing stomach pain, consultation with a psychotherapist may be indicated. Massage or relaxation techniques may also be helpful if there is a tendency to stomach pain.
Treatment and therapy
Since stomach pain can have many causes, a visit to the doctor is beneficial. If the pain lasts longer or if it is very strong, a doctor must be visited immediately anyway, because then possibly life-threatening diseases can be behind it. The doctor will then conduct a detailed questioning of the stomach complaints. This includes questions such as: How long the stomach pain has already persisted, where exactly the pain occurs and in what intensity, Are the stomach pain dependent on external or internal factors (for example, with certain foods or physical movements), What medications are taken, Is alcohol consumed frequently and Are there pre-existing conditions, such as gastric ulcer. Then the doctor will examine the affected patient holistically. He will listen to the abdomen and stomach area with a stethoscope and palpate the abdomen. A gastroscopy, ultrasound examination and blood test are only necessary if the patient’s medical history is unclear or if a suspected cause needs to be investigated in more detail. If no disease-related cause is found, harmless stomach pain can usually be assumed. In this case, painkillers such as analgesics, antispasmodic drugs such as spasmolytics and gastric acid-relieving agents should then be prescribed by the doctor for treatment and pain relief. Furthermore, a change in diet, a ban on alcohol and tobacco products could be useful. Depending on the individual symptomatology, further treatment by psychotherapists can also be carried out. The patient can often favorably support in self-treatment relief by gastrointestinal teas containing herbs such as lemon balm and chamomile, hot water bottles on the abdomen and relaxation exercises, such as progressive muscle relaxation and autogenic training.
Outlook and prognosis
No universal prognosis can be given for stomach pain. The further course of this disease depends very much on the pain itself and the rest of the patient’s health condition. In most cases, stomach pain indicates an intolerance or a spoiled food and disappears once the ingredient has been cleared from the body. This may take several hours. It is not uncommon for the stomach pain to also be accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting, this is usually an infection in the gastrointestinal region. These infections do not necessarily need to be treated by a doctor and usually disappear on their own.The stomach should be spared. To support the treatment, remedies from the pharmacy can be used. However, if the stomach pain is very severe and does not subside even after a few days, a doctor should be consulted in any case. This may be a serious infection that the body cannot cope with on its own. In case of intolerances or allergies, the respective ingredient should be avoided in order to prevent the stomach pain. However, most stomach aches do not need to be treated and disappear again on their own.
Prevention
Stress and nervousness should be avoided at all costs. Smoking and heavy alcohol consumption should also be discontinued. Gluttony and immoderateness in eating just as often lead to stomach pain and can therefore be well prevented. Lots of exercise in the fresh air and in nature stimulates a healthy and good metabolism, so that the chance of stomach pain or intestinal problems is minimized. Drink preventive herbal teas and support their general stress resistance and vitality through preventive autogenic training or with the help of progressive muscle relaxation.
Home remedies and herbs for stomach pain
- Gentian helps with loss of appetite, indigestion and stomach ailments.
- Fennel has a beneficial effect on the stomach and intestines, both raw and steamed. In addition, fennel has a high vitamin C content.
- For stomach and intestinal complaints, drink a tea of the following herbs: 10 grams of peppermint, yarrow, chamomile flower and calamus root, 5 grams each of fennel, condurango bark and couch grass root, 2 grams of centaury, 1 gram each of wormwood and gentian root.
- Drink unsweetened chamomile tea for stomach pain, stomach inflammation and stomach cramps. It also helps with abdominal pain and bladder pain.
- For stomach pain, various measures can be taken: drink a cup of wormwood tea and swallow some cumin seeds. For a day, eat only rusks and drink chamomile tea and put a hot water bottle on the stomach.
This is what you can do yourself
Often stomach pain can be relieved by following a diet that is easy on the stomach for several days. Rusk and white bread are easy to digest, mucilage contained in rice and oatmeal soup soothe the attacked stomach lining. After a few days on a light diet, low-fat and mildly spiced dishes may enrich the menu; grated apple, [[banana]] and other mild types of fruit are usually well tolerated. Alcohol, coffee and nicotine, on the other hand, should be avoided for some time, and a sensitive stomach often reacts irritably to carbonated drinks. Chamomile tea or a herbal tea mixture of lemon balm leaves, chamomile flowers and peppermint leaves helps the aching stomach to recover. For this purpose, several cups of warm tea without sugar should be drunk throughout the day – too hot or ice-cold food and drinks strain the stomach and can increase the pain. In many cases, the application of a hot water bottle alleviates cramping stomach pains. If stress or great psychological strain hits the stomach, regular rest breaks and relaxation help to improve the situation. Hectic eating under time pressure can also lead to stomach pain: In this case, slow, conscious enjoyment of the meal without outside distractions such as cell phones, computers or televisions can help. If the stomach pain remains unabated for several days despite self-treatment or even intensifies, a doctor should be consulted.
