Stomach pain is a common symptom. It may indicate several different conditions, including Cramping, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or lactose intolerance. Listed below are some common causes of stomach pain. Hopefully, one of these causes will be the source of your discomfort. If you aren’t sure which condition is causing your pain, read our articles on Cramping and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Cramping
If you have constant abdominal pain during pregnancy, you are not alone. This pain can be a symptom of several conditions. Inflammatory diseases of the pelvic region, including endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease, may also cause cramps. These conditions are typically caused by sexually transmitted bacteria. The good news is that there is a treatment for both. If you’re experiencing severe abdominal pain, consult a doctor.
There are several common causes of abdominal pain, including indigestion, constipation, and stomach viruses. However, sometimes it is a symptom of a serious condition, such as a stomach ulcer. Your healthcare provider will diagnose and treat the cause of your pain. There are several symptoms to look for, including nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. The pain may be dull, sharp, or a combination of both. If it does not go away after a few days, it is probably an underlying health issue.
While you’re trying to decide whether your cramps are caused by an intestinal infection, remember that you can take the Quiz to find out what causes your pain. Most of the time, cramp-like pain is not serious. The most likely cause is gas or bloating and is followed by diarrhea. If the pain continues for more than 24 hours or is accompanied by fever, it is a sign of a more serious condition. You should also remember that this pain is often a precursor to diarrhea or vomiting, and it’s best to consult a doctor if you suspect appendicitis.
There are many common causes of abdominal pain. It can be a result of gas, bloating, constipation, or a digestive disorder. While this pain is common and harmless, it can also be indicative of a more serious underlying condition. For example, stomach cramps caused by gastroenteritis can be very painful, while asymptomatic pain may be the result of a bacterial infection. Chronic abdominal pain, on the other hand, is constant and persists for more than three months.
Gallstones
A gallbladder is located in the stomach, and gallstones are hard deposits of bile. Bile is produced in the liver, and the gallbladder squeezes the bile out of the gallbladder to aid digestion.
Although gallstones are not always accompanied by symptoms, the presence of gallstones increases the risk of developing gallbladder cancer. While gallbladder cancer is rare, the American Cancer Society predicts that there will be 4,792 new cases in the United States by 2020. Fortunately, the disease is easier to treat when diagnosed in its early stages. But how can you tell if you have gallstones? A simple X-ray and CT scan are the first steps. However, you may also have the gallbladder removed through surgery.
Medications are usually prescribed to dissolve gallstones. However, these medications only take effect after a couple of months. Many people suffer from gallstone pain again after these medications are prescribed. In the meantime, you can lead a normal life without a gallbladder. Doctors may recommend removing the gallbladder if you’re suffering from severe gallstone disease. This procedure will help prevent gallstone attacks and will also remove the risk of developing gallbladder cancer.
The most common symptom of gallstones is dull liver home remedies for stomach pain, which typically occurs after eating and lasts for a few hours. In severe cases, the pain can be so intense that you may feel nausea and vomiting. The symptoms usually subside after surgery but may last a few days or even a week. If you have any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor right away.
Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome is a common long-term disorder of the digestive system, with symptoms including abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. The good news is that it can be successfully treated, and it does not increase your risk of cancer. The symptoms are different for each person and can become more severe after a change in routine, certain foods, or emotional upset.
Irritable bowel syndrome is not diagnosed with a single test, but your doctor will look for patterning in your symptoms and run tests to rule out other medical conditions. Your doctor may order a stool test, X-rays of your lower GI tract, or a blood test. The symptoms can begin as early as 6 months ago, but the sooner you seek treatment, the better.
Certain types of food may trigger symptoms of IBS, including dairy products and certain types of carbohydrates. Some individuals may benefit from reducing the amount of dairy they eat and eating smaller portions. Some people may also benefit from reducing their intake of food containing a particular type of fructose, alcohol, or gluten. Other recommended lifestyle changes may include limiting your intake of high-fiber foods, including whole-grain bread, seeds, and cereals.
Although the cause of IBS is unknown, scientists believe that female hormones play a role in its development. These hormones are very sensitive to the digestive tract, and they may affect the time that food travels through the body. This could explain why women are twice as likely to suffer from this condition than men. Women who are pregnant are more likely to experience this disorder than men. Hormonal changes and dietary intake are also possible culprits.
Lactose intolerance
If you are experiencing abdominal pain, you might have lactose intolerance. The cause of lactose intolerance is an enzyme called lactase, which breaks down dairy products. Lactose intolerance is a common problem, and most people with this condition don’t even know it. In addition to abdominal pain, this condition can cause watery diarrhea and excessive burping, and even the anus. However, it can also cause gas.
Regardless of the cause, lactose intolerance can be a symptom of another condition. Deficiency in lactase means that you don’t produce enough of the enzyme, called lactase. In other cases, you may experience lactose intolerance because of an infection in your small intestine, or you may have an injury that affects your intestines. In rare cases, you may be hereditarily lactose-intolerant. A blood test will determine whether you have the lactose intolerance gene, as well as your overall level of lactose intolerance.
Symptoms of lactose intolerance are usually mild and do not hurt if you drink small quantities of milk. Start slowly by increasing the amount of dairy you consume. Start with small amounts and see how your body reacts. Try adding small amounts of milk to your daily diet, and then gradually increase the amount until you find a milk substitute you can tolerate. If you cannot tolerate cow’s milk, you should try substituting other dairy products such as goat’s milk or hard cheese.
As you get older, the enzyme that breaks down lactose is produced less in your body. If you develop lactose intolerance during your adulthood, you’ll have symptoms in your teen years and beyond. Symptoms may occur a few hours after eating milk or eating a piece of cake. For many people, lactose intolerance is a sign of digestive system infection.
Pancreatitis
The first step in treating pancreatitis for stomach pain is to stop drinking alcohol. Although this is not an effective treatment for acute pancreatitis, it can help to relieve some of the symptoms. Also, stop smoking and drinking alcohol to help your body heal faster. Continuing to drink alcohol can have negative health effects, including an increased risk of death. Smoking is not directly related to pancreatitis, but it can speed up the progression of the disease. To reduce pancreatitis for stomach pain, you can eat smaller, more frequent meals. You can also take vitamins to ensure you get adequate nutrition.
While acute pancreatitis symptoms come on suddenly, others may develop over days. They can be disabling, requiring immediate medical attention. Sometimes, the pain begins as a mild ache, which gets worse when you eat. If the symptoms don’t go away, they may indicate another condition. People with diabetes or kidney problems are at increased risk for pancreatitis. If you notice any of these symptoms, see a doctor to get tested for pancreatitis.
During the first few days of pancreatitis, you can do several things to alleviate your discomfort. First, avoid alcohol and smoking. You will want to make sure you’re getting plenty of rest. This will help your pancreas heal. Once your symptoms improve, your doctor may perform an MRI to confirm your diagnosis. Your doctor will likely suggest a course of treatment that focuses on resting the pancreas. If your pancreas has ruptured, you may need a feeding tube. If the symptoms do occur, your doctor may recommend additional medications to control the pain.
Acute pancreatitis is often accompanied by abdominal pain and vomiting. If you suspect you have acute pancreatitis, blood tests can help your doctor diagnose it. Your blood will contain high levels of digestive enzymes. If your doctor suspects you have pancreatitis, he or she may order a CT scan, MRI, or an endoscopic ultrasound to rule out other conditions. In some cases, an MRI is necessary to find a tumor.
