Upper abdominal pain during pregnancy and diarrhea
Upper abdominal pain during pregnancy, which is accompanied by diarrhea, can have various causes. On the one hand, a gastrointestinal infection should be considered. Various bacteria and viruses can cause such symptoms.The disease is usually over after a few days.
In addition, upper abdominal pain and diarrhea can also indicate food intolerances. Especially if the complaints occur in connection with meals, this possibility should be considered. A close observation of what was eaten before the symptoms began can help to further narrow down the symptoms.
Since women in pregnancy tend to suffer from constipation, some pregnant women take magnesium. Overdosage can also cause diarrhoea. If magnesium tablets are taken and diarrhoea occurs, the preparation should be discontinued temporarily.
Often the symptoms then improve on their own. Persistent pain in the upper abdomen and diarrhoea should always be clarified by a doctor. A stool examination, for example, can help to identify possible pathogens.
Upper abdominal pain as a sign of pregnancy poisoning
The term “pregnancy poisoning” (technical terms: gestosis, hypertensive pregnancy diseases) refers to a variety of diseases that occur during pregnancy and are associated with an increase in blood pressure. Many forms of pregnancy poisoning become noticeable in the women affected by the appearance of severe upper abdominal pain, which often increases in intensity immediately after eating. The most important forms of pregnancy poisoning include Particularly problematic here is the fact that the causes of the development of pregnancy poisoning have not yet been clearly clarified.
However, it is generally assumed that various processes in the placenta area are involved in the development of pregnancy poisoning. Furthermore, it is assumed that women with a tendency to vascular spasms (so-called vasospasms) and immunological overreactions are particularly at risk. The symptoms that can occur in the presence of pregnancy poisoning differ from form to form.
Especially the most severe form of pregnancy poisoning (so-called eclampsia) can lead to seizures and changes in consciousness in affected women during pregnancy. In addition, upper abdominal pain, which increases in intensity immediately after eating, is one of the typical symptoms of this form of pregnancy poisoning. Affected women often begin to suffer from pronounced nausea, upper abdominal pain and vomiting in late pregnancy (usually not before the 20th week of pregnancy).
In addition, neurological symptoms such as headaches or visual disturbances can often be observed. In order to prevent damage to the expectant mother and/or the unborn child, a specialist in gynaecology and obstetrics must be consulted immediately if the symptoms are appropriate. In addition, the so-called HELLP syndrome is one of the most frequent causes of upper abdominal pain during pregnancy, which increases in intensity immediately after eating.
The symptoms of this form of pregnancy poisoning are mainly localized in the area of the right upper abdomen. In addition to the upper abdomen pain, women who develop HELLP syndrome during pregnancy typically experience the following symptoms: This form of pregnancy poisoning is an emergency. A presentation to the gynaecologist should take place as soon as possible.
If the presence of HELLP syndrome is confirmed, the woman concerned must be admitted to hospital and monitored. Since this form of pregnancy poisoning usually occurs in relapses, the pregnancy can usually be continued for several weeks. However, if the drop in platelets is too great, the unborn child must be delivered by means of a Caesarean section.
Since HELLP syndrome usually occurs quite early (on average between the 23rd and 30th week of pregnancy), the premature baby usually requires intensive medical treatment. If the pregnancy is continued despite a steadily decreasing number of platelets, however, there can be severe blood loss and even death of the mother.
- Preeclampsia
- Eclampsia
- HELLP syndrome
- H- Hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells)
- EL – Increase in liver enzymes
- LP – Decrease of blood platelets (thrombocytopenia)