How often do we meet with abdominal pain? At times it may be simply a consequence of overeating or resulting from the use of stale food. But it may also happen that the pain serves as an alarm signal of the body. Unfortunately, we are not always able to interpret it correctly.
Abdominal pain often occurs suddenly, at the most inopportune moments: when we are in the country, on the road, just relax in nature or work. It is important to understand when you need to seek medical help, and when you can do on their own.
Why my stomach hurts
The causes of abdominal pain there are many. At the same time, though the result and one, but the treatment and first aid is different. If you analyze the causes of abdominal pain is for diseases, among the main should be highlighted:
- stomach and duodenal ulcer;
- gastritis;
- appendicitis;
- acute pancreatitis;
- irritable bowel syndrome.
Stomach: where it hurts
Many diseases have their own individual character of abdominal pain. It has a distinct value at the time of diagnosis. Having the necessary knowledge, it is possible to establish a primary diagnosis based on the classical picture of the disease. To be fond of self-diagnosis should not be-it is a responsible thing better to trust the doctor, but to assess the degree of danger is often possible on their own.
For example, pain in the lower abdomen often appear in the event of problems associated with the urinary system. In this case, it is possible to increase pain and discomfort during urination. In women, this phenomenon is usually associated with painful menstruation.
Important! Pain in the lower abdomen in the middle of the cycle can be caused by a dangerous female disease-ectopic pregnancy. In this case, there is an acute, stabbing pain, which is sometimes accompanied by bloody discharge from the vagina.
Localization of pain in the center, just above the navel may indicate the presence of digestive problems — for example, pathological processes that develop in the stomach and duodenum.
People of advanced age should be careful: such localization of pain is typical for atypical, abdominal form of myocardial infarction.
Important! If you have a sudden pain, which is localized first in the navel, and then moves below and to the right – this is a reason for serious unrest and call an ambulance: there is a high probability of appendicitis.
Sometimes pain immediately appears in the right iliac region. If it is localized in the area of the right lower rib, it may indicate problems with the liver. If the pain increases after eating, especially fat-there is a possibility of problems with the gallbladder and bile ducts.
Pain below the navel, which manifests itself at night or on an empty stomach, may indicate the presence of a duodenal ulcer.
What is “acute abdomen”
The name “acute abdomen” is common to a number of symptoms present in severe abdominal injuries. In this case, the patient has an increased tone and pathological tension of the abdominal wall muscles. Severe sharp abdominal pain increases when you try to change the position of the body.
The diagnosis of “acute abdomen” is the reason for immediate hospitalization in the surgical Department, where the doctor will establish an accurate diagnosis and provide the necessary medical care. This is important because an acute abdomen can be a sign of serious problems in the abdominal and pelvic organs. It is often noted, for example, in diseases such as:
- ruptured stomach;
- peritonitis;
- appendicitis;
- ectopic pregnancy;
- the rupture of the intestine.
The described symptoms are more common in the adult population. Remember! In children, even with localized pathological processes, there is extensive pathological tension of the abdominal muscles.
It is important to know that with an acute abdomen, the patient is strictly forbidden to take any painkillers-this can lubricate the clinical picture of the disease and make it difficult to make the correct diagnosis. Applying cold (or Vice versa — heat) is also prohibited. By analogy with analgesics, cold lubricates the picture of the disease, and heat can aggravate the situation.
Appendicitis: how to recognize
Self-recognize appendicitis is quite simple. To do this, you just need to know his clinical picture and react in time.
- Sign №1
Appendicitis begins with pain in the navel, which eventually moves to the right iliac region.
- Sign №2
In an adult, appendicitis is often accompanied by disposable vomiting, after which the desired relief does not occur. In children, vomiting may be repeated several times. But vomiting may not be possible nausea.
- Sign №3
The patient has an increase in temperature.
Attention! At the first signs of appendicitis should not delay treatment in the hospital, to delay the call of an ambulance – it is fraught with complications.
What to do if you suspect pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. This disease is notorious for severe, almost unbearable pain, concentrated in the solar plexus or just below. The pain can spread, give to the waist or girdle, like a Hoop. Starts on an empty stomach or 2 hours after eating.
That to do cannot be flatly:
- giving painkillers-it will greatly complicate the doctor’s diagnosis;
- give enzymatic drugs – they will only worsen the condition;
- wash the stomach in case of vomiting.
First aid for pancreatitis is antispasmodics. In addition, the patient should be given a warm weak tea or water.
Stomach ache-what to do
Tactics of action for abdominal pain may be different depending on the disease — different diseases require a different approach to eliminate pain. You shouldn’t risk your health.
Remember: do not take painkillers unless you are 100% sure that it will not aggravate your situation.
If you have diarrhea or heartburn, it is often enough to drink the necessary medicine. To relieve intestinal spasms that cause pain, you can also use medication.
If you are not a supporter of medicines, use a decoction of chamomile flowers pharmacy. To do this, fill them with boiling water and boil for 15-20 minutes on low heat. Chilled to room temperature and filtered broth can be drunk.
Pain can be a sign of a fairly innocent disease, a well-known disease. But we should not forget that they may indicate a very serious disease. It should be understood that the reception of antispasmodics, analgesics or other drugs may not bring the desired result. In this case, do not repeat or increase the dosage.
If you are concerned about intense abdominal pain, it is recommended to consult a doctor as soon as possible, to describe the situation. It will not be superfluous to mention that you have taken yourself.
Write in the comments how do you deal with abdominal pain? Have you ever experienced a situation where pain was a sign of a serious illness?