Burning stomach? How to know when to call the doctor

Your tummy’s been giving you trouble and you’re wondering if you have any other options than calling your doctor. The answer depends on what’s causing your symptoms. It’s important to consult a medical professional for chronic gastrointestinal conditions, but there are also lifestyle changes that can help.

Acid reflux

This occurs when the stomach contents, including acid, flow backwards up into the chest and throat.

“It causes a hot, painful or burning sensation under the breast bone, that often is worse after eating or when lying down,” explained Dr. Bennett E. Roth, a professor of clinical medicine and chief of gastrointestinal endoscopy at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles.

There are a number of things you can do on your own to improve the situation, according to Dr. Greg Thorkelson, an assistant professor in the departments of psychiatry and gastroenterology at the University of Pittsburgh.

First, you can make sure you aren’t eating or drinking right before you lay down to sleep. Also, you might want to cut back on alcohol, caffeine, fatty foods and smoking.

In general, doctors advise:

• Avoiding trigger foods
• Not eating big meals before bedtime
• Elevating the head while sleeping
• And, most importantly, losing weight

Beyond that, Thorkelson said, “you should have a more mindful approach to the consumption of food. These days it’s common to have a mindless way of eating. We eat faster and chew less.” Slow the whole process down and the stomach will be able to do its job better, Thorkelson added.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

The condition is thought to be caused by a malfunction of the nerves that control intestinal function and perception, said Roth. And it affects about 20 percent of adults in the U.S.

Symptoms include:

• Nausea
• Bloating
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Cramping

“Often the symptoms are relieved by the passage of stool,” said Thorkelson.

A big issue for many who suffer from IBS is stress, Thorkelson said. So anything that soothes the stress, and that includes exercise, mindfulness training, and meditation, may improve symptoms.

Increasing dietary fiber can help with symptoms. But, Thorkelson advised, you may need to work up to it starting with small amounts.

Ulcers

These are sores that develop in the stomach or duodenal lining.

“They present with burning pain that comes and goes and may worsen when you’re hungry and may be relieved by eating,” Roth said. “They can be caused by anti-inflammatory drugs or aspirin. If you develop these symptoms avoid those drugs. Some patients get the condition as a result of the bacteria H. pylori [Helicobacter pylori].”

Treatment for ulcers caused by H. pylori is antibiotics. But, Roth noted, many people have the bacteria in their systems and never develop an ulcer.

Lactose Intolerance

If you don’t produce enough of the enzyme needed to digest the lactose in milk products, you may experience nausea, bloating and cramping after consuming them.

One solution is to drink milk that contains a lactose substitute. You can also experiment with cheeses to determine which agree with you most.

As a rule of thumb, hard cheeses tend to contain less lactose. Cottage cheese is also generally well tolerated.

Celiac Disease

People with celiac disease can’t tolerate gluten.

The protein, which is found in wheat, rye, and barley, kicks off an auto immune response in people with the disease that can cause damage to the small intestine and interfere with the absorption of nutrients.

Although the disease was once thought to be rare, experts currently estimate that there are more than 2 million people in the United States with the genetic disorder. That amounts to about 1 in 133 people, according to the National Institutes of Health.

In some people the disease is “silent,” Roth said, adding that “the only manifestation is an iron deficiency or the development of osteoporosis form many years of inadequate calcium absorption. ” In others, he said, the disease can lead to bloating, weight loss and failure to thrive.

“If it’s a young person I ask, how much do your brothers, sisters and parents weigh and how tall are they,” Roth said. “Often the person with celiac is the runt of the family because they have trouble absorbing nutrients. The treatment is strict gluten withdrawal from the diet and we strongly recommend that folks seek a professional dietician for advice.”

Linda Carroll is a regular contributor to NBCNews.com and TODAY.com. She is co-author of “The Concussion Crisis: Anatomy of a Silent Epidemic” and the recently published “Duel for the Crown: Affirmed, Alydar, and Racing’s Greatest Rivalry”

This updated story was originally published in August 2016.

Indigestion (Dyspepsia): Causes & Treatment

Overview

What is indigestion?

Indigestion, or dyspepsia, describes an upset stomach. It may cause a painful or burning feeling in your abdomen (belly). Also called a sour stomach, indigestion may happen once in a while or often.

Indigestion is sometimes confused with heartburn. Heartburn, is a separate condition that affects your upper chest.

How common is indigestion?

Indigestion is a very common condition. About 25% of people in the U.S. experience indigestion each year.

Possible Causes

How is indigestion diagnosed?

A healthcare provider will review your medical history, symptoms and lifestyle. Try to explain your indigestion in as much detail as possible. Note the type of discomfort and where you feel it. Also tell your healthcare provider when you experience indigestion. For example, does it occur after a meal or on an empty stomach? Is it worse in the morning or at night? Do certain foods make it worse?

Your healthcare provider will do a physical exam. They’ll check your belly for swelling or tenderness. They may use a stethoscope (medical instrument to hear sounds inside the body) to check your stomach for growling or gurgling.

Other diagnostic tests may include:

• Blood tests, to assess your liver, kidney and thyroid function.
• Breath test, to check for H pylori.
• Imaging exams, to check for blockages or other problems in the intestines. Imaging exams may include X-ray, CT scan or upper endoscopy.
• Stool test, to check poop for H. pylori or other bacterial infections.

What causes indigestion?

• Indigestion is usually caused by:
• Drinking too much alcohol or caffeine.
• Eating too much or too fast.
• Eating fatty, spicy or acidic foods.
• Experiencing stress or anxiety.
• Taking certain medications, including aspirin — especially if taken on an empty stomach.

Sometimes indigestion means there’s a problem in your digestive tract. Your digestive system contains organs that help your body break down food and absorb nutrients.

Indigestion could be a sign of:

Sometimes chronic (ongoing) indigestion isn’t related to any of these causes. In that case, it’s called functional indigestion.

What are the symptoms of indigestion?

Symptoms of indigestion may include:

• Acidic taste in your mouth.
• Bloating (full feeling).
• Burning or pain in your stomach or upper abdomen.
• Burping and gas.
• Gurgling sound in your stomach.
• Nausea or vomiting.

Care and Treatment

How can indigestion be prevented?

You can reduce your risk of indigestion by:

• Avoiding alcohol.
• Eating a healthy, balanced diet.
• Managing your stress level.
• Not eating meals before bed.
• Not smoking.
• Replacing aspirin with acetaminophen.

How is indigestion treated?

Most people find relief from indigestion by making diet changes or taking medication. Your healthcare provider may recommend a combination of both.

Diet changes include:

• Avoiding foods or drinks that trigger indigestion.
• Cutting down on alcohol, caffeine and carbonated drinks.
• Removing fatty, spicy or acidic foods from your diet.

What medications help indigestion?

Indigestion caused by another health condition might improve with medication. Common medications for relief include:

• Antacids: These over-the-counter medications provide quick relief for acid reflux. They neutralize stomach acid.
• Antibiotics: Antibiotics treat bacterial infections like H. pylori.
• h3 blockers: These medications decrease the amount of acid your stomach produces. h3 blockers may help peptic ulcers.
• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs): PPIs decrease the acid in your stomach, but are usually only for people with heartburn.

Will I need surgery for indigestion?

Your healthcare provider may recommend surgery if ongoing acid reflux gives you indigestion. A procedure called laparoscopic antireflux surgery may help relieve the symptoms of GERD. It’s a minimally invasive procedure, meaning it doesn’t need a large incision (cut).

How long will indigestion last?

Indigestion might go way as soon as you change your diet and habits. If you do take medication for your upset stomach, only do so with your healthcare provider’s approval. Some medications, especially acid reducers, can have long-term side effects. These may include an increased risk of infections or low levels of important nutrients.

When to Call the Doctor

When should I contact my healthcare provider about indigestion?

Contact a healthcare provider right away if you experience:

• Black stools.
• Chest pain.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Frequent or bloody vomiting.
• Jaundice (yellowing of your eyes or skin).
• Severe pain in your belly.
• Unexplained weight loss.

The occasional stomach problem is normal. But frequent stomach problems can keep you from eating, sleeping or working. If indigestion is affecting your quality of life, it’s time to see a healthcare provider. There are a variety of professionals who can help with stomach problems. They include primary care providers, dietitians, gastroenterologists and talk therapists.

Gastritis – Consumer Health News

What is gastritis?

Many people — including some doctors — use “gastritis” as a fancy word for stomachache, but the term really means “inflammation of the stomach.” Most people with sore stomachs don’t have gastritis. When inflammation does set in, it can cause considerable pain and discomfort. Fortunately, gastritis is usually easy to control. You may need to make a few lifestyle changes or get a little help from your doctor, but you don’t have to put up with the pain.

What causes gastritis?

Most people with gastritis can blame a tiny germ, namely Helicobacter pylori. This bacterium, usually caught during childhood, is basically immune to stomach acid. It can survive happily in the mucus lining of the stomach for decades, often causing no trouble at all. In some people, however, the germ burrows deep into the stomach lining, causing gastritis. In many cases, a peptic ulcer may not be far behind.

Regular doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen are another major source of gastritis. These pills all have the potential to damage the lining of the stomach. The harm is usually minor and your stomach will probably recover within a few days. But if you take too many pills, use painkillers on a daily basis, or if your stomach doesn’t heal as quickly as it should, the lining can easily become inflamed. Like H. pylori, NSAIDs are a leading cause of ulcers.

For unknown reasons, severe injuries to other parts of the body often lead to gastritis. Emotional distress can cause gastritis by boosting the flow of acid in your stomach. Other possible causes include heavy drinking, and, rarely, illnesses such as Crohn’s disease.

Anything that irritates the stomach can make an existing case of gastritis feel much worse. The list of possible offenders includes alcohol, smoking, emotional stress, and some medications, including potassium and iron supplements.

What are the symptoms of gastritis?

Some people with gastritis don’t have any symptoms at all, even though the inflammation may show up clearly during tests such as an endoscopy (an examination in which the doctor slides a thin tube equipped with a tiny camera on one end down your throat to take a look at your stomach). Most people, however, will have some stomach pain and occasional indigestion. The pain may be burning or gnawing, and it usually gets worse on an empty stomach. Most people feel better after eating. Other symptoms may include bloating, nausea, and even vomiting.

These symptoms closely mimic the signs of a peptic ulcer. But since both conditions often respond to the same treatments, it isn’t always necessary to make the distinction unless the patient is elderly or there are worrisome symptoms such as weight loss or bleeding.

How is gastritis treated?

If you’re infected with H. pylori, you may need to take antibiotics to kill the germ. Whether you have gastritis or an ulcer, ridding yourself of the infection is often the key to long-term relief. Likewise, if you take regular doses of NSAIDs, you need to cut back or give them up completely.

Whatever the source of your gastritis, acid-reducing drugs can reduce your symptoms and give your stomach a chance to heal.

Whether you’re taking antibiotics, acid-blockers, or both, you may find it helpful to avoid certain foods while you’re healing. These — according to gastroenterologist Dr. Gary Gitnick, head of the digestive diseases division at University of California at Los Angeles — include acidic foods, such as citrus fruits and juices, spicy foods, and food and drink that helps produce acid, such as chocolate and coffee (even if it’s decaffeinated.) Reducing or eliminating your alcohol intake can help, too. Try to find some ways to reduce your stress: it can increase acid production. And if you smoke, stop. Smoking greatly increases the risk of ulcers.

If you’re taking any medications that can upset the stomach, your doctor may be able to offer an alternative. For instance, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is generally easier on the stomach than aspirin. (If you drink three or more glasses of alcohol a day, however, Tylenol can be too hard on the liver, so consult your doctor for advice.)

If your stomach pain comes back, or if it doesn’t start to fade after seven to 10 days of treatment, you may need an endoscopy to further explore the cause of your distress. Your doctor will slide a gastroscope down your throat and into your stomach. If you have an ulcer, cancer, or any other serious stomach problem, the endoscope will help the doctor find it. If you’re over 50 or show any symptoms of serious disease, your doctor will probably suggest you get an endoscopy or other tests right away.

But if your gastritis is caused by your eating or drinking habits, cigarette smoking, or other consequences of your lifestyle, you can make a few basic changes and feel much better for it.

References

Bazaldua OV and FD Schneider. Evaluation and management of dyspepsia. American Family Physician.

Gitnick, Gary, MD, Freedom from Digestive Distress, Three Rivers Press.

Pain and Bloating: Is it Indigestion or a Stomach Ulcer?: Prima Medicine: Internal Medicine

Did you know that both indigestion and stomach ulcers have many of the same symptoms? If you’re suffering from chronic pain and bloating, it could be difficult to know what’s causing your discomfort. 

Because telling the difference between the two can be difficult, it’s important to schedule an appointment with your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis. The compassionate providers at Prima Medicine in Fairfax and South Riding, Virginia, are experienced at diagnosing and treating both stomach ulcers and indigestion. 

While it’s important to be seen and diagnosed by a medical professional, there are signs you can watch for that may indicate one condition or the other.

What is indigestion and what is an ulcer?

A lesion or sore that develops on the lining of your stomach or in the first part of your small intestine is called an ulcer. Ulcers are usually caused by the bacterium H. pylori or by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medications, such as ibuprofen. A lesion can get aggravated by your stomach acid and causes pain and other symptoms.

Indigestion or dyspepsia, on the other hand, describes a chronic or recurring pain in your upper abdomen. Indigestion can be caused by many things, including stress, eating too much, taking certain medications, or having an underlying condition, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or gallbladder disease. 

How can I tell if I have indigestion or an ulcer?

It’s important to receive an accurate diagnosis for the cause of your pain, bloating, and other symptoms to ensure you get the right treatment. Your doctor at Prima Medicine will help diagnose and treat the root cause of your symptoms.

Symptoms of indigestion

While there is some overlap, and indigestion can sometimes be caused by a stomach ulcer, here are some of the most common symptoms of indigestion:

• A burning sensation in your upper abdomen
• Bloating and stomach pain
• Burping and gas
• Acid taste in your mouth
• A growling stomach

Symptoms of an ulcer

Stomach ulcers may also cause bloating, stomach pain, and a burning sensation in your upper abdomen, but there are a few key differences. Here’s a closer look at the most common symptoms of a stomach ulcer:

• A burning sensation in your upper abdomen, especially early in the morning, between meals, after drinking something acidic — such as orange juice or coffee — or after taking aspirin
• Bloating or feeling full early
• Nausea or vomiting
• Heartburn
• Black, bloody, or tar-like stools

What should I do if I suspect indigestion or a stomach ulcer?

The first step you should take if you think you may have chronic indigestion or a stomach ulcer is make an appointment with Prima Medicine. Our goal is to provide you with relief from the unpleasant symptoms that both conditions can cause as well as keep you healthy by working to prevent further complications.

To arrive at a diagnosis, your Prima Medicine team member will evaluate your medical history and symptoms and conduct a comprehensive physical exam. Your provider may also order a stool test, breath test, and blood work. 

Your provider may also order an endoscopy, in which a flexible tube is inserted through your throat, down your esophagus, and into your stomach to take images and samples. Once your diagnosis is confirmed, your Prima Medicine provider will work with you to create a customized plan to treat your indigestion or ulcer issues.  

If you’re suffering from chronic indigestion or the symptoms of a stomach ulcer, we can help get you well. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone with Prima Medicine today. We can also schedule telehealth appointments.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) (Homeopathy)

Primary Remedies

Nux vomica

Abdominal pains and bowel problems accompanied by tension, constricting sensations, chilliness, and irritability can indicate a need for this remedy. Soreness in the muscles of the abdominal wall, as well as painful gas and cramps are common. Firm pressure on the abdomen brings some relief. When constipated, the person has an urge to move the bowels, but only small amounts come out. The person may experience a constant feeling of uneasiness in the rectum. After diarrhea has passed, the pain may be eased for a little while. A person who needs this remedy often craves strong spicy foods, alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and other stimulants—and usually feels worse from having them.

Podophyllum

This remedy is indicated when abdominal pain and cramping with a gurgling, sinking, empty feeling are followed by watery, offensive-smelling diarrhea—alternating with constipation, or pasty yellow bowel movements containing mucus. Things tend to be worse in the very early morning, and the person may feel weak and faint or have a headache afterward. Rubbing the abdomen (especially on the right) may help relieve discomfort. A person who needs this remedy may also experience stiffness in the joints and muscles.

Sulphur

This remedy is often indicated when a sudden urge toward diarrhea wakes the person early in the morning (typically five a.m.) and makes them hurry to the bathroom. Diarrhea can come on several times a day. The person may, at other times, be constipated and have gas with an offensive and pervasive smell. Oozing around the rectum, as well as itching, burning, and red irritation may also be experienced. A person who needs this remedy may tend to have poor posture and back pain, and feel worse from standing up too long.

Other Remedies

Argentum nitricum

Digestive upsets accompanied by nervousness and anxiety suggest the use of this remedy. Bloating, rumbling flatulence, nausea, and greenish diarrhea can be sudden and intense. Diarrhea may come on immediately after drinking water. Eating too much sweet or salty food (which the person often craves) may also lead to problems. A person who needs this remedy tends to be expressive, impulsive, and claustrophobic, and may have blood sugar problems.

Asafoetida

A feeling of constriction all along the digestive tract (especially if muscular contractions in the intestines and esophagus seem to be moving in the wrong direction) strongly indicates this remedy. The person may have a feeling that a bubble is stuck in the throat, or that a lump is moving up from the stomach. The abdomen feels inflated, but the person finds it hard to pass gas in either direction to get relief. Constipation brings on griping pains. Diarrhea can be explosive, and the person may even regurgitate food in small amounts.The person may exhibit a strong emotional or “hysterical” element when this remedy is needed.

Colocynthis

This remedy is indicated when cutting pains and cramping occur, making the person bend double or need to lie down and press on the abdomen. Cramps may be felt in the area of the pubic bone. Pain is likely to be worse just before the diarrhea passes, and after eating fruit or drinking water. Problems tend to be aggravated by emotions, especially if indignation or anger has been felt but not expressed. Back pain, leg pain, and gall bladder problems are sometimes seen when this remedy is needed.

Lilium tigrinum

When this remedy is indicated, the person may make frequent unsuccessful efforts to move the bowels all day and have sudden diarrhea the following morning. A feeling of a lump in the rectum, worse when standing up, is common. Hemorrhoids may develop. Constricting feelings are often felt in the chest. The person is likely to be worse from excitement and strong emotions, and may tend toward irritability or even rage.

Lycopodium

This remedy is often indicated for people with chronic digestive discomforts and bowel problems. Bloating and a feeling of fullness come on early in a meal or shortly after, and a large amount of gas is usually produced. Heartburn and stomach pain are common, and the person may feel better from rubbing the abdomen. Things are typically worse between four and eight p.m. Despite so many digestive troubles, the person can have a ravenous appetite, and may even get up in the middle of the night to eat. Problems with self-confidence, a worried facial expression, a craving for sweets, and a preference for warm drinks are other indications for Lycopodium.

Natrum carbonicum

This remedy is often indicated for mild people who have trouble digesting and assimilating many foods and have to stay on restricted diets. Indigestion, heartburn, and even ulcers may occur if offending foods are eaten. The person often is intolerant of milk, and drinking it or eating dairy products can lead to gas and sputtery diarrhea with an empty feeling in the stomach. The person may have cravings for potatoes and for sweets (and sometimes also milk, but has learned to avoid it). A person who needs this remedy usually makes an effort to be cheerful and considerate, but, when feeling weak and sensitive wants to be alone to rest.

Stomach Pain – Male

Is this your child’s symptom?

• Pain or discomfort in the stomach or belly area
• Male
• Pain found between the bottom of the rib cage and the groin crease
• The older child complains of stomach pain
• The younger child points to or holds the stomach
• Before 12 months of age, use the Crying care guides

Causes of Acute Stomach Pain

• Eating Too Much. Eating too much can cause an upset stomach and mild stomach pain.
• Hunger Pains. Younger children may complain of stomach pain when they are hungry.
• GI Virus (such as Rotavirus). A GI virus can cause stomach cramps as well as vomiting and/or diarrhea.
• Food Poisoning. This causes sudden vomiting and/or diarrhea within hours after eating the bad food. It is caused by toxins from germs growing in foods left out too long. Most often, symptoms go away in less than 24 hours. It often can be treated at home without the need for medical care.
• Constipation. The need to pass a stool may cause cramps in the lower abdomen.
• Strep Throat. A strep throat infection causes 10% of new onset stomach pain with fever.
• Bladder Infection. Bladder infections usually present with painful urination, urgency and bad smelling urine. Sometimes the only symptom is pain in the lower abdomen.
• Appendicitis (Serious). Suspect appendicitis if pain is low on the right side and walks bent over. Other signs are the child won’t hop and wants to lie still.
• Intussusception (Serious). Sudden attacks of severe pain that switch back and forth with periods of calm. Caused by one segment of bowel telescoping into a lower piece of bowel. Peak age is 6 months to 2 years.

Causes of Recurrent Stomach Pains

• Stress or Worries. The most common cause of frequent stomach pains is stress. Over 10% of children have a “worried stomach.” These children tend to be sensitive and too serious. They often are model children. This can make them more at risk to the normal stresses of life. Examples of these events are changing schools, moving or family fights. The pain is in the pit of the stomach or near the belly button. The pain is real.
• Abdominal Migraine. Attacks of stomach pain and vomiting with sudden onset and offset. Often occur in children who later develop migraine headaches. Strongly genetic.
• Functional Abdominal Pains. Functional means the stomach pains are due to a sensitive GI tract. The GI tract is free of any disease.
• School Avoidance. Stomach pains that mainly occur in the morning on school days. They keep the child from going to school.

Pain Scale

• Mild: Your child feels pain and tells you about it. But, the pain does not keep your child from any normal activities. School, play and sleep are not changed.
• Moderate: The pain keeps your child from doing some normal activities. It may wake him or her up from sleep.
• Severe: The pain is very bad. It keeps your child from doing all normal activities.

When to Call for Stomach Pain – Male

Call 911 Now

• Not moving or too weak to stand
• You think your child has a life-threatening emergency

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

• Pain low on the right side
• Pain or swelling in the scrotum
• Constant pain (or crying) for more than 2 hours
• Recent injury to the stomach
• High-risk child (such as diabetes, sickle cell disease, recent stomach or abdomen surgery)
• Age less than 2 years old
• Fever over 104° F (40° C)
• Your child looks or acts very sick
• You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

• Moderate pain that keeps from some normal activities
• Mild pain that comes and goes (cramps), but lasts more than 24 hours
• Fever is present
• Bladder infection (UTI) suspected (passing urine hurts, new onset wetting)
• You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

• Stomach pains are a frequent problem
• You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

Seattle Children’s Urgent Care Locations

If your child’s illness or injury is life-threatening, call 911.

Care Advice for Stomach Pain

1. What You Should Know About Stomach Pain:
   • Mild stomach pain can be caused by something simple. It could be from gas pains or eating too much.
   • Sometimes, stomach pain signals the start of a viral infection. This will lead to vomiting or loose stools.
   • Watching your child for 2 hours will help tell you the cause.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Lie Down:
   • Have your child lie down and rest until feeling better.
3. Clear Fluids:
   • Offer clear fluids only (such as water, flat soft drinks or half-strength Gatorade).
   • For mild pain, offer a regular diet.
4. Prepare for Vomiting:
   • Keep a vomiting pan handy.
   • Younger children often talk about stomach pain when they have nausea. Nausea is the sick stomach feeling that comes before they throw up.
5. Pass a Stool:
   • Have your child sit on the toilet and try to pass a stool.
   • This may help if the pain is from constipation or diarrhea.
   • Note: For constipation, moving a warm wet cotton ball on the anus may help.
6. Do Not Give Medicines:
   • Any drug (like ibuprofen) could upset the stomach and make the pain worse.
   • Do not give any pain medicines or laxatives for stomach cramps.
   • For fever over 102° F (39° C), acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) can be given.
7. What to Expect:
   • With harmless causes, the pain is most often better or gone in 2 hours.
   • With stomach flu, belly cramps may happen before each bout of vomiting or diarrhea. These cramps may come and go for a few days.
   • With serious causes (such as appendicitis), the pain worsens and becomes constant.
8. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Pain becomes severe
   • Constant pain lasts more than 2 hours
   • Mild pain that comes and goes lasts more than 24 hours
   • You think your child needs to be seen
   • Your child becomes worse
9. Extra Help: Worried Stomach:
   • Help your child talk about events that trigger the stomach pain. Talk to your child about how to cope with these the next time around.
   • Help your child worry less about things he can’t control.
   • To treat the pain, help your child get very relaxed. Lying down in a quiet place and taking slow deep breaths may help. Make the belly go up and down with each breath. Then try to relax all the muscles in the body. Think about something pleasant. Listening to audios that teach how to relax might also help.
   • Make sure your child gets enough sleep.
   • Make sure that your child doesn’t miss any school because of stomach pains. Stressed children tend to want to stay home when the going gets rough.
   • Caution: Your child should see his doctor for an exam. Do this before concluding frequent stomach pains are from worrying too much.

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the ‘Call Your Doctor’ symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

Last Reviewed: 09/26/2021

Last Revised: 03/11/2021

Copyright 2000-2021. Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC.

What Is Abdominal Pain? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

The cause of abdominal pain is diagnosed based on your symptom history, a physical examination, and testing, if needed. Your doctor is likely to ask you questions about the characteristics of your pain, and whether you have any underlying physical or mental health conditions that could be contributing to your abdominal pain.

Questions from your doctor may address the following aspects of your abdominal pain:

• Where it’s located
• How intense it is
• Whether it’s dull, stabbing, burning, or cramping
• Whether it comes and goes
• When you experience or notice it most
• Whether it radiates outward to other areas of your body
• How long you’ve had it
• Whether any activities or actions seem to make it worse or better

Your doctor may also ask about your overall health history, any recent injuries, and whether you might be pregnant.

If your doctor suspects a serious health condition that may need treatment, any of the following tests may be used to help diagnose the cause of your abdominal pain:

• Blood, urine, or stool tests
• X-ray of the abdomen
• Ultrasound of the abdomen
• Computerized tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen
• Barium enema (colon X-ray)
• Endoscopic procedures (inserting a tube with a tiny camera through your mouth or rectum to view areas inside your digestive tract)
• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)

Prognosis of Abdominal Pain

How long your abdominal pain lasts, and whether it gets better or worse, will depend on the cause of your pain and how the pain responds to any treatments.

Many forms of abdominal pain tend to respond to self-care measures or simply get better on their own, including pain caused by constipation, food allergies or intolerances, or stomach viruses.

But abdominal pain caused by severe acute or chronic conditions may require extensive treatment before it gets better, including pain caused by appendicitis, bowel obstruction, peptic ulcers, cancer, or inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis).

The oncologist named the symptoms that are mistaken for gastritis

https://ria.ru/20200716/1574420377.html

The oncologist named the symptoms that are mistaken for gastritis

The oncologist named the symptoms that are mistaken for gastritis – RIA Novosti , 16.07.2020

The oncologist named the symptoms that are mistaken for gastritis

“Hunger pains” in the stomach or pain after eating are often mistaken for gastritis, but they can be a sign of an ulcer, wrote oncologist-surgeon Ivan Karasev on Instagram.RIA Novosti, 16.07.2020

2020-07-16T09: 07

2020-07-16T09: 07

2020-07-16T12: 06

Society

stomach ulcer

russia

ivan karasev

/ html / head / meta [@ name = ‘og: title’] / @ content

/ html / head / meta [@ name = ‘og: description’] / @ content

https: //cdn22.img.ria .ru / images / 115101/88 / 1151018867_0: 20: 2000: 1145_1920x0_80_0_0_fb936d7c634f0622f1ea397737bba326. jpg

MOSCOW, July 16 – RIA Novosti.”Hunger pains” in the stomach or pain after eating are often mistaken for gastritis, but they can be a sign of an ulcer, wrote oncologist-surgeon Ivan Karasev on Instagram. He recalled that aggressive substances (for example, hydrochloric acid) enter the stomach, which are needed for splitting food. And so that they do not damage the wall of the stomach, a special protective factor is developed. However, the predominance of aggressive factors together with the depletion of the protective layer leads to damage to the stomach wall – first, erosion appears, and then an ulcer.In addition, the doctor noted, an important role is played by hereditary predisposition to the disease and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. If you delay the visit to the doctor, serious complications can occur: bleeding, perforation of the ulcer (perforation of the exit from the stomach), penetration (perforation of an ulcer into a neighboring organ), as well as the growth of a malignant tumor (malignancy of an ulcer). Endoscopy will help to identify an ulcer – this way you can assess the size of the damage and the likelihood of complications.During endoscopy, a biopsy of the mucous membrane is also taken for morphological examination. Contrast radiography is used to determine the depth of the ulcer, gastrointestinal motility, and complications such as stenosis or penetration. Thanks to endoscopy, the process of ulcer scarring can also be monitored. On average, healing to a red scar occurs in six to seven weeks, and the formation of a full-fledged scar in two to three months. Acute superficial ulcers, the doctor explained, heal within one to two weeks. Earlier, Karasev named the symptoms that indicate a hernia of the esophagus: heartburn, pain in the retrosternal or epigastric region, as well as a feeling of fullness in the hypochondrium and airy belching.

https://rsport.ria.ru/20200707/1574011415.html

https://ria.ru/20200216/1564843608.html

Russia

RIA Novosti

internet-group@rian. ru

7 495 645-6601

FSUE MIA Rossiya Segodnya

https: //xn--c1acbl2abdlkab1og.xn--p1ai/awards/

2020

RIA Novosti

[email protected]

7 495 645-6601

FSUE MIA “Russia Today”

https: // xn – c1acbl2abdlkab1og.xn – p1ai / awards /

News

ru-RU

https://ria.ru/docs/about/copyright.html

https: //xn--c1acbl2abdlkab1og.xn--p1ai/

RIA Novosti

[email protected]

7 495 645-6601

FSUE MIA Rossiya Segodnya

https: //xn--c1acbl2abdlkab1og.xn--p1ai/awards/

https: // cdn24 .img.ria.ru / images / 115101/88 / 1151018867_225: 0: 1777: 1164_1920x0_80_0_0_cc3cb2e4e0d75923e2e780369460a48f.jpg

RIA Novosti

[email protected]

7 495 645-6601

FSUE MIA Rossiya Segodnya

https: //xn--c1acbl2abdlkab1og.xn--p1ai/awards/

RIA Novosti

[email protected]

7 495 645-6601

FSUE MIA “Russia Today”

https: //xn--c1acbl2abdlkab1og. xn--p1ai/awards/

Society, stomach ulcer, Russia , Ivan Karasev

MOSCOW, July 16 – RIA Novosti. “Hunger pains” in the stomach or pain after eating are often mistaken for gastritis, but they can be a sign of an ulcer, oncologist-surgeon Ivan Karasev wrote on Instagram.

He recalled that aggressive substances (for example, hydrochloric acid) enter the stomach, which are needed to break down food. And so that they do not damage the wall of the stomach, a special protective factor is developed. However, the predominance of aggressive factors together with the depletion of the protective layer leads to damage to the stomach wall – first, erosion appears, and then an ulcer.In addition, the doctor noted, hereditary predisposition to the disease and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs play an important role.

If you delay the visit to the doctor, then serious complications may occur: bleeding, perforation of the ulcer (perforation of the stomach wall), stenosis of the pyloric stomach (that is, narrowing of the exit from the stomach), penetration (perforation of the ulcer into a neighboring organ), as well as growth malignant tumor (malignant ulcer).

July 7, 2020, 3:20 p.m. The oncologist named the only way to cleanse the body of toxins

Endoscopy will help to identify an ulcer – this way you can estimate the size of the damage and the likelihood of complications.During endoscopy, a biopsy of the mucous membrane is also taken for morphological examination. Contrast radiography is used to determine the depth of the ulcer, gastrointestinal motility, and complications such as stenosis or penetration. Thanks to endoscopy, the process of ulcer scarring can also be monitored. On average, healing to a red scar occurs in six to seven weeks, and the formation of a full-fledged scar in two to three months. Acute superficial ulcers, the doctor explained, heal within one to two weeks.

Earlier, Karasev named the symptoms that indicate a hernia of the esophagus: heartburn, pain in the retrosternal or epigastric region, as well as a feeling of fullness in the hypochondrium and airy belching.

February 16, 2020, 15:47

The surgeon spoke about the danger of liver cirrhosis due to light alcohol

Functional dyspepsia (FD) – Iberogast

Functional dyspepsia (FD)

Along with IBS, functional dyspepsia (FD) is one of the most common functional digestive disorders.

PD is characterized by numerous gastrointestinal symptoms. This includes colic, pain, heartburn, a feeling of fullness in the stomach, nausea, vomiting, and bloating.In patients with PD, the response to arousal or stress is often reflected by epigastric pain and digestive disorders.

How is PD diagnosed?

The symptoms of PD may be similar to those of IBS. When making a diagnosis, it is not always possible to clearly separate one disease from another. Acid reflux, tightness, nausea, and abdominal pain are common in patients with PD. It is often not possible to establish a connection between these symptoms and the use of certain foods or certain behaviors.The diagnosis of PD is made if it is not possible to identify other diseases of the digestive system, with which the development of these symptoms could be associated.

Long-term follow-up is essential for the diagnosis of PD. The syndrome is diagnosed if a patient has one or more of the following symptoms within the last 3 months:

• Unpleasant sensations of fullness in the stomach after eating
• Early satiety
• Pain just under the ribs, in the epigastric region
• A burning sensation directly under the ribs, in the epigastric region

Symptoms must have occurred at least 6 months before diagnosis.

What are the causes of PD?

The exact cause of the PD has not been established. The symptoms of PD, as well as the underlying causes, can vary. Eating food too quickly and swallowing excess air aggravate the condition that is characteristic of a “restless stomach”. Fatty foods, spices, coffee, alcohol, smoking, and excess sugar can also contribute to symptoms.

The putative cause of FD is the delayed work of the gastric musculature. In such a situation, food does not move quickly enough through the digestive tract.Another reason may be too active motor function of the stomach. Vigorous muscle contractions lead to increased peristalsis and severe abdominal pain. PD is provoked by irritation of the stomach by aggressive food components, and can also develop against the background of infection with Helicobacter pylori. In addition, factors such as stress and excessive psychological stress are believed to play an important role.

Is there a cure?

To date, no remedy has yet been found to radically cure FD.However, there are steps you can take to get rid of or limit your symptoms from the gastrointestinal tract. Iberogast can help to relieve symptoms with minimal risk of adverse events.

Keeping a journal of mood changes, food intake and symptoms can help you identify triggers and avoid them later. Breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, and psychotherapy also keep FD under control.

Tips for preventing flare-ups:

90,000 Why does the stomach hurt, how is the intestines related to mood and does everyone need to eat soup? From the gastroenterologist

– What diseases of the digestive system are most often treated by patients?

– The most common diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are intestinal diseases. Moreover, initially, patients may interpret them differently, but with careful questioning, it is possible to determine that the complaints are related specifically to bowel disease.

Of course, complaints related to intestinal dysfunction cannot be regarded as an independent problem. The state of other organs of the digestive system is of great importance – everything is interconnected in the body.

– Everybody periodically experiences pain in the abdomen. What is usually associated with digestive disorders in people who do not have any serious medical conditions?

– There are a number of factors. Eating habits, place of residence, taking medications, the age of the patient – all this affects the microbiome (the totality of microflora genes – approx. “Papers” ) a person.

Much depends on what kind of food a person eats, especially in modern conditions. Preservatives found in products with a long shelf life or in semi-finished products, as well as carbohydrates, can negatively affect human health.

For example, the consumption of a large amount of carbohydrates (“carbohydrate type of food” with an abundance of baked goods) leads to an increase in saccharolytic strains of microorganisms, which is accompanied by an increased production of gas-forming substances.In addition, the amount of food consumed also matters. There is always a risk of overeating with a “hasty” meal.

Digestion is also affected by the condition of the mouth and teeth. Already in the oral cavity, food is rubbed, crushed, moistened with saliva and prepared to move into the stomach. Under the influence of amylase (digestive enzyme – approx. “Paper” ), the process of breakdown of carbohydrates begins. If several teeth are missing, the process of grinding food may be disrupted.

In this case, an unprepared food lump enters the stomach, which will take more time to digest.In addition, it can become a kind of annoying factor and ultimately lead to diarrhea.

A significant role in the development of disorders is played by changes in the biocenosis (composition of microorganisms – approx. “Paper” ) of the colon. With dysbiosis in the colon, fermentation or putrefactive processes are activated, a large amount of organic acids and gas is formed. The altered flora releases toxins that negatively affect the mucous membrane and nerve endings in it, as well as contribute to the development of inflammation and motor impairment.

All these changes can be manifested by a feeling of bloating, rumbling in the abdomen, increased eruption of intestinal gas, abnormalities in stool frequency.

– Why do patients not always understand that they have problems with the intestines?

– The large intestine actually bends around the right and left flanks (lateral regions – approx. “Papers” ), the upper part [of the abdomen]. When gases inflate the loops of the intestines, a person experiences discomfort – pains can be dull, bursting, cramping.These sensations can move from one area to another, and it may appear that they are associated with another organ.

In this case, the doctor carefully asks the patient and, if necessary, uses additional diagnostic methods to exclude other pathologies.

You need to carefully monitor your feelings: is there a violation of the stool, is the occurrence of pain associated with eating, what foods increase the discomfort, how bowel emptying affects these sensations.

– A common stomach disease – gastritis. What is it connected with?

– Chronic gastritis is indeed quite common. The main role in the development of this disease is played by dystrophy of specialized [stomach] cells of varying severity. There are different forms of chronic gastritis: type A, type B, type C gastritis.

The main cause of the development of Helicobacter pylori gastritis (type B) is called pyloric H. pyloric. It plays a role in the occurrence of not only gastritis, but also peptic ulcer disease.It is believed that infection with this microorganism [Helicobacter] occurs before the age of five. In this case, the patient experiences symptoms of functional dyspepsia (digestive disorders not associated with any pathological changes – approx. “Papers” ): pain or discomfort in the epigastric region, a feeling of fullness after eating, early satiety, nausea, vomiting, belching, heartburn.

To clarify the diagnosis, the doctor may recommend gastroscopy, as well as a study for Helicobacter pylori (a bacterium that lives in the stomach; the presence of Helicobacter is determined in various ways, including using a breath test, blood test or feces – approx. “Papers” ).

During gastroscopy, a biopsy (taking samples of stomach tissue) is often performed, followed by examination of these tissues under a microscope. This is a histological analysis, it allows you to assess the stage and degree of gastritis.

– How often does daily stress, which is not related to illness, lead to abdominal pain?

– Stress is of great importance in the occurrence of any disease and can lead to various pathologies – not only of the intestines.It depends, among other things, on the genetic predisposition of the person.

The central nervous system is closely connected with the enteric nervous system of the intestine (regulates the smooth muscles of the internal organs – approx. “Papers” ). Under the influence of intestinal microorganisms, neurotransmitters (biologically active chemicals – approx. “Papers” ) are released, which, in turn, have an effect on the central nervous system: there is information about the so-called “intestine-brain” axis.The link between emotions and intestinal dysfunction has been scientifically proven. It manifests itself in different ways: it can be a loosening of the stool or, conversely, a pronounced spasm, discomfort associated with increased gas production.

If intestinal dysfunction manifests itself for a long time, then ultimately it leads to a change in the microflora of the intestine and submucosa. Thus, impaired [intestinal] motility under certain circumstances may be accompanied by more significant changes in the intestine.

– Irritability and apathy are often indicated as one of the symptoms of digestive diseases. How can mood changes be related to the condition of the gastrointestinal tract?

– This relationship is noticeable in a disease such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). There are disturbances in the functioning of structures such as the cerebral cortical centers, the autonomic nervous system, the peripheral nervous apparatus of the intestine with a system of neurotransmitters and biologically active amines (organic substances formed from amino acids – approx. “Papers” ), among which serotonin and its receptors in the intestine play a leading role.

Much is still not fully understood. However, it is known that such patients have fermentative dyspepsia, against the background of which intestinal dysbiosis progresses rapidly. A failure in the functional regulation of the intestine is expressed in increased sensitivity to small pathological stimuli.

– Symptoms such as poor skin condition or fatigue are often associated with poor diet and digestive problems.Are these really related things?

– The connection with the skin is sometimes traced, but it cannot be said that it is absolutely direct. A dermatologist refers patients to a gastroenterologist if the symptoms of a dermatological disease may be associated with intestinal dysbiosis or the presence of pyloric Helicobacter in the stomach.

Once the gut microbiota is normalized, patients will notice an improvement in their skin. But skin rashes are not always associated with intestinal pathology.The intestinal microflora and the skin microflora differ in composition from each other, although, most likely, they are interrelated.

– You said that the amount of food plays an important role. What is considered overeating and how to avoid it?

– The stomach is also a muscular organ. To avoid overeating, you need to eat slowly, chew food thoroughly. Eating should take at least 20 minutes.

– Why exactly so much?

– Because at the time of stretching of the stomach, an impulse from the receptors that are in it enters the brain after an average of 20 minutes.At this moment, the person realizes that he is satiated. If a person eats hastily, then he manages to eat a much larger amount of food in these 20 minutes. If he chewed food thoroughly, then he would need a smaller portion.

– You can often hear that you need to eat often and not skip breakfast. Is it really important to stick to this regimen?

– If we are talking about a healthy person, then meals should be on average in 3.5-4 hours. But the quality and quantity of food varies slightly: for example, breakfast should be higher in calories, and dinner should be less.

Breakfast should not be imposed – it depends on the person’s habits. If a person is used to having breakfast later, then it is not necessary to force him to change his habit.

Dinner should not be late and plentiful, because in the evening the intensity of digestion decreases. If the work schedule is such that a person is forced to have dinner after 22 hours, and then go to bed, then it is better for him to reconsider the time for dinner and, for example, eat at work.

– But not everyone succeeds in observing the regime – because of the work schedule, for example.It turns out that such a lifestyle excludes proper nutrition?

– Unfortunately, this situation is often encountered. But as soon as a person learns to eat differently, he feels noticeable changes.

– Some people try to eliminate different foods from the diet to see how they affect the body. How justified is it from a medical point of view, if the person does not have allergies or intolerances?

– You should always listen to yourself. A person who suffers from gastrointestinal diseases often has intolerance to certain foods.It can be both primary and secondary.

Secondary intolerance occurs when an enzyme involved in the breakdown of food is present, but produced in a smaller volume. In this case, the food is not processed enough. Most often this applies to carbohydrates, which are found in raw vegetables and fruits, or lactose – a carbohydrate in milk.

If a person with a small amount of the required enzyme consumes raw vegetables and fruits or milk, then he will really experience discomfort, bloating.By eliminating these foods, restoring the flora and intestinal motility, you can subsequently gradually expand the diet.

But there is a primary deficiency – in particular lactose – which can be confirmed by laboratory tests. This is one of the common fermentopathies (a pathological condition characterized by the absence or impaired activity of the enzyme – approx. “Paper” ), in which milk and dairy products should be replaced with lactose-free ones.

Of course, it happens that a patient follows the principles of “healthy” nutrition so strictly that he excludes a large amount of food from the diet.If there is no genetically confirmed intolerance, then your diet must be expanded – otherwise the food will be inadequate, which will lead to certain disorders. This is important to consider, because refusal from food can negatively affect both the human psyche and the vitamin and mineral balance.

Each of us needs to properly analyze our eating habits. For example, you should eat vegetables and fruits, give preference to whole grains, drink water over other drinks, limit salt, sugar and saturated fat.

– In Russia, it is customary to say that soup is a very healthy food for the stomach. Is it really so?

– Soup is used not only in Russian cuisine. The habit of cooking and eating soup is influenced by the traditions of the family. Soup is, first of all, a tasty dish, but the benefits depend on the ingredients that make it up.

– For what symptoms should a person see a doctor as soon as possible?

– It is necessary to seek help from a gastroenterologist if there is a [regular] violation of stool, pain or discomfort in the abdomen, heartburn, frequent belching, bitterness in the mouth, bloating, rumbling in the abdomen, loss of appetite, unmotivated weight loss, as well as the appearance of such a formidable symptom like blood in the stool.

After questioning and examination, the doctor will draw up an examination plan necessary to clarify the diagnosis, suggest dietary recommendations, and determine the need and frequency of dispensary observation.

ABDOMINAL PAINS IN THE MORNING [why it happens]

[Why does the stomach hurt] in the morning? This question is relevant for many people from time to time or often faced with discomfort localized in the lower abdomen immediately after waking up.

If you would like to learn more about the causes of abdominal pain for both men and women, as well as get more information on this topic, then read this article.

What are the causes of night and morning pains?

Pain that is localized in the lower abdomen in the morning is a symptom of many health problems. It is typical for both men and women, that is, it has no gender division.

Most often, these pains are provoked by various pathologies of the organs located in the abdominal cavity, less often – by the problematic work of other body systems.

There are two types of pain that affect both men and women.

They wear:

1. somatic character;
2. visceral character.

The cause of somatic pain localized in the lower abdomen every morning may be irritation of the mucous membranes of the stomach and gastrointestinal tract caused by various diseases (chronic gastritis, duodenal ulcer, etc.).

These pains are permanent and appear, as a rule, in the morning, since it is at this time that the stomach is cleared of food. Why are these pains so uncomfortable?

Somatic pains in both men and women have a non-extensive area of ​​distribution, are determined in the lower abdomen in one place and are characterized by an acute course.

Occasionally, somatic pains that appear in the morning can be accompanied by mild or severe nausea, but diarrhea is unusual for such a situation.

Photos:

It is possible to block such cramps, from which the lower abdomen suffers, by taking antispasmodics (“No-shpa”, “Baralgin”, “Drotaverin”) and maintaining immobility until the doctor arrives.

It is imperative to call the ambulance in the presence of somatic pain.

The causes of visceral pain that affect the lower abdomen in the morning are the reactions of nerve endings located in the walls of internal organs to various stimuli.

You can determine the type of pain by observing its nature. Unpleasant sensations in the abdomen in the morning, having a visceral character, are not based in one place, but can spread to various parts of the abdomen.

If we talk about discomfort in the lower abdomen, which is felt in the morning, then it is worth mentioning about the so-called “hungry” pains that appear in men and women due to long breaks between meals.

Healthy people who do not have stomach problems rarely experience this type of discomfort in the morning, however, they can also feel “hungry” pains when more than ten hours pass between the last meal and the time of waking up in the morning.

Getting rid of “hungry” pains that arise in the morning is easy – you just need to eat.

If “hungry” cramps do not go away after eating, or occur regularly, three to five hours after eating, then it is time to sound the alarm and consult a gastroenterologist.

Types of diseases that provoke the appearance of pain in the abdomen in the morning

To get rid of pains that are defined in the lower abdomen early in the morning, after getting out of bed, you should identify why these pains occur.This can be done by visiting a doctor and taking tests.

A list of the most common causes that can provoke unpleasant cramps and cramps that affect the lower abdomen early in the morning can be found in this paragraph of the article.

Videos:

So, the reasons for the appearance of morning pains attacking the lower (and sometimes upper) abdomen:

• pathology of the abdominal organs;
• stomach and liver problems;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (chronic diarrhea and constipation), spleen and biliary tract;
• severe intoxication caused by the ingestion of substandard or unsuitable food, or intoxication caused by chemical poisoning;
• inflammatory processes localized in the gastrointestinal tract or in the tissues of the peritoneum;
• problems with blood circulation in the abdominal cavity;
• parasitic infestations.

It often happens that abdominal pain in men and women has more than one cause. Due to the large number of factors affecting their appearance, they are difficult to treat.

Remember: the antispasmodics that you take when you have a stomach ache or nausea are just a one-time cure for the problem.

You cannot constantly drown out the pain and hope that the problems that have become its catalysts will go away by themselves.

If you feel sick, and the lower abdomen constantly hurts in the morning, but in the evening these unpleasant sensations pass, then you should not rejoice at such a quick “getting rid” of the problem.

It is very likely that the unpleasant symptoms will return again, and you will feel unwell again.

In the morning, the human body reacts most sharply to various stimuli that affect its work, and responds more sensitively to them, sending pain signals to the brain.

His task is to interpret them and “inform” his master, that is, you, that it is time to pay a visit to the doctor.

How to deal with morning abdominal pain?

Often abdominal pain is accompanied by a symptom such as diarrhea.This symptom is indicative.

Having a problem like diarrhea allows you to weed out many diseases for which it is not typical, and to concentrate on more obvious problems.

Diarrhea with pain in the lower abdomen that appears in the morning is a bad sign. As a rule, it indicates problems localized in the gastrointestinal tract.

Videos:

You can relieve diarrhea by taking specialized drugs that relieve diarrhea.They are sold in pharmacies and have varying prices.

The most effective drugs for blocking diarrhea are:

• “Furazolidone”;
• “Enterofuril”;
• “Mezim”;
• Imodium.

The second symptom that often accompanies discomfort in the abdomen is nausea. What to do when the lower abdomen hurts and feels sick? Do not panic!

The best thing you can do for your body when you feel nauseous and have a stomach ache is to flush your stomach.This should be done immediately after the onset of unpleasant symptoms.

If, after a set of measures taken, your stomach still hurts and you feel sick, then call an ambulance or go to the hospital yourself to get tested and find out what exactly caused your severe discomfort.

As a rule, a person is sick with severe poisoning, as well as in the presence of any inflammatory processes occurring in his body.

Many of the men and women who have been able to get rid of the morning pains attacking the lower abdomen, note that they did it by following special therapeutic diets.

Medical menus have little to do with weight loss diets. If severe abdominal discomfort is caused by stomach problems, then only proper nutrition can cure it.

Avoid fried, canned, overly spicy or salty foods. In addition, it is necessary to limit the use of such potential irritants of mucous membranes as chocolate, coffee, various sauces, alcohol, foods with excessive acidity.

It is possible to calm the stomach mucous membranes irritated by food by taking “Smecta”, “Almagel” and other pharmaceutical preparations with softening and absorbing effects.

Photos:

After reading this article, you were able to find out why the stomach hurts in the morning. It contains only general information presented for informational purposes only.

You can get accurate and meaningful advice, as well as check your body for pathologies that interfere with life, by visiting a doctor.

The nature of pain localized in the lower or upper abdomen can be anything. Do not self-medicate!

Like this article? Share:

Causes of heartburn in the morning

The mood of the rest of the day depends on the morning awakening.There is little pleasant ahead if heartburn makes you wake up. Working as an alarm clock, it will not let you soak up an extra hour in bed, even on Saturday or Sunday.

If burning pains occurred once, most likely, you should not worry, since it is likely that such heartburn is not associated with any pathology. But what if every morning you have heartburn? How to behave in this case and what are the reasons for the daily morning burning sensation in the chest? Let’s answer these questions.

The five most common causes of morning heartburn

The main reasons why heartburn occurs are gastrointestinal problems.First of all, such a symptom will manifest itself when there are disturbances in the work of any of the parts of the digestive system. The causes of heartburn in the morning are inflammatory processes of the esophagus, stomach and the initial part of the small intestine.

1. In the first place, at the head of possible diseases are duodenal ulcer, esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus), gastritis. A burning sensation is felt because the structure of the mucous membrane is disturbed, which normally serves as a barrier between the internal organs and the environment.When erosion appears in the epithelium, all digestive juices begin to affect the deep layers. So, a person is worried about burning pain.
2. Heartburn and nausea in the morning will bother a person if he has allowed himself a very hearty dinner or eat before bed. Every night, all vital processes slow down and some organs stop working fully for a while. The digestive system is also resting. In the case when a person needs a snack, the work of the glands continues, but at night it is not so active.After such a “stormy” night, heartburn cannot be avoided.
3. During an exacerbation of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), the morning burning symptom will disturb.
4. Cancer of the stomach and esophagus is also accompanied by this morning nightmare.
5. Violation of the motor (motor) function of the stomach usually leads to stagnation of food, food cannot pass into the intestines for a long time. Being there too much time, it gradually turns sour, fermentation processes begin, by the morning a person feels this in the form of a painful burning sensation.

Excesses and liberties leading to morning heartburn

Almost every day we are chanted from all the stands that smoking is the enemy of health. But every heavy smoker thinks that the consequences of such a not the best habit will never affect him. This is the biggest misconception! Almost from the first smoked cigarettes, a person can be safely put into the risk group for diseases of the esophagus and stomach. And the most important thing is the effect on the nervous system of the esophageal muscles. The contractility of the lower esophageal sphincter (the muscle that separates the stomach and esophagus) gradually weakens.Even with a short smoking history, morning heartburn can become a constant companion of the smoker.

This is the same mechanism for the development of burning in the morning, if you drink a cup of coffee on an empty stomach. If at the beginning of the day on an empty stomach you can afford your favorite chocolate or candy, heartburn cannot be avoided. All these products irritate the esophagus and reduce the obturator capacity of its muscles.

A poorly chosen wardrobe for the night can cause heartburn in the morning. Rare burning pains behind the breastbone will appear if you fall asleep in tight tight clothing.

Morning heartburn in pregnant women

Expectant mothers suffer from heartburn more often than others. More than 80% of pregnant women in the last trimester experience this unpleasant symptom. Its development is inevitable. In addition to the growing uterus, which supports the stomach, an altered hormonal background acts on the body. A gradually increasing level of progesterone leads to a weakening of the lower esophageal sphincter, so heartburn in the morning on an empty stomach is familiar to every woman who has given birth. After the night, hydrochloric acid begins to be reflexively produced in the stomach, and in the absence of food, it primarily acts on the esophagus, an unpleasant burning sensation develops.

Medication and morning heartburn

The risk group for morning heartburn includes those people who, for a number of reasons, have to take drugs that affect the digestive system. Heartburn will be caused by the constant intake of the following drugs:

• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory substances;
• of certain hormonal preparations;
• nitrates – substances used for pain in the heart;
• antihypertensive drugs (these are substances used to reduce blood pressure), namely Amlodipine and Diltiazem;
• medicines containing Theophylline.

Such drugs must be taken under the supervision of doctors. After prolonged and uncontrolled use of these substances, heartburn is sure to appear in the morning.

As you can see, there are a lot of reasons due to which excruciating burning pains appear. To find out which one caused your heartburn, you need to carefully analyze after which the first symptoms appeared. And if it is difficult to cope with this task alone, consult a doctor.

Flatulence in the morning

Gas formation as a result of physiological processes in the body is normal.Bacteria living on the intestinal walls, as a result of their activity, break down food, help its assimilation and processing. As a result, gas is formed. And this is not a pathology.

Sometimes the release of gas gives a person discomfort and pain. The phenomenon is called “flatulence”. Unfortunately, it is familiar to many: bloating, terribly puffy and swelling from the inside.

Flatulence in the morning can be both temporary and chronic. If in the first case, nutritional adjustments are enough, then in the second, diet and medication are needed.

Causes of flatulence in the morning

The main cause of flatulence in the morning is the presence in the diet of foods that cause increased gas formation. These include all dairy and fermented milk products.

The reasons for increased flatulence in the intestine, in addition to the above products, are as follows:

1. The presence of a variety of cereals in food, especially those cooked in milk, and not in water. It is porridge that contains a significant amount of coarse fiber.By processing them in the intestines, bacteria as a result of their work release more gas.
2. Mushrooms, especially canned mushrooms.
3. Vegetables due to coarse fiber, fiber and cellulose. Especially fresh cabbage. It is good for the intestines, since it stimulates bacteria to work and improves metabolism, but there is also a side effect – increased gas production, as a result, the stomach swells up.
4. Morning flatulence can be triggered by fermentation processes from foods such as sauerkraut, bread, especially black bread (Borodinsky, for example), kvass or beer.These products contain fibers and acids that contribute to gas formation.
5. Carbonated drinks. The initial presence of gases in drinks gives rise to the further formation of its bubbles, but already in the intestines.
6. Sweets, especially baked goods, feed intestinal bacteria. By processing glucose, bacteria emit gases in an enhanced mode. This point also includes the use of sweet fruits – grapes, pears, peaches.
7. Ingestion of food.Food must be chewed thoroughly. This is the rule taught to almost all children. But not everyone assimilates it and carries it into adulthood. “Throwing” food into himself, a person contributes to the process of decay in his body, all the contents simply do not have time to digest, begin to ferment. The consequence is the formation of gas, the occurrence of flatulence.
8. Lack of fluid in the body. The production of gases by bacteria increases if there is a lack of fluid in the body. Only pure water can fill it.Not compotes, not sweet tea or coffee, not soda in liters, but pure water.
9. But bloating can be caused not only by the food itself, but also by the way a person uses it. For example, overeating also causes flatulence. The stomach and intestines simply cannot digest too much food at a time. Anything that remains will ferment and rot, producing gas.
10. One of the main reasons can be attributed to all of the above, plus a meal at night.The body does not have enough time to process foods. And the fermented food debris in the intestines will become a source of gas formation and the formation of flatulence in the morning. If overeating at night is persistent, chronic flatulence will form.
11. According to statistics, women most often suffer from flatulence. The causes of bloating, which are inherent only in women, are diseases of the genitourinary system: thrush, cystitis, fibroids. These organs are close to the intestines, so all changes, inflammations and diseases indirectly affect the functioning of the intestinal tract.
12. Often in women, increased gas production, especially in the morning, may be the result of an ectopic pregnancy. It is recommended that in case of increased gas production, immediately seek advice from the attending gynecologist.

Causes of flatulence in children

Separately, the causes of flatulence in the morning in children and infants can be distinguished. There are a number of features:

1. The first and main reason for the appearance of flatulence in the morning is the underdevelopment of the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract) and a lack of digestive enzymes.As a result, food is not completely digested, ferments, then gas is formed.
2. Another reason is disturbances in the bacterial flora, which can be caused by taking medications, for example, antibiotics. The child’s body is developing, therefore, the not yet formed digestive system sometimes cannot quickly recover after taking medications. When there are no bacteria, there is nothing to digest food. It wanders and rots, resulting in flatulence.
3. In newborns, “gaziki” may indicate a deficiency in the baby’s body of lactase.This enzyme aids in the digestion and better absorption of milk. If lactase is absent, milk begins to ferment, so gases form in the baby’s tummy. This process can cause discomfort for the baby, so it is better to consult a pediatrician for advice.
4. The air that a nursing baby captures in excess when crying, and possibly with an incorrect breastfeeding position, can cause bloating.
5. Flatulence in children of any age may indicate infection with Escherichia coli or other serious microorganisms that interfere with the proper functioning of the intestines.

Otherwise, the causes of flatulence in the morning in children are the same as in adults: the quality and quantity of food.

Causes of flatulence in pregnant women

The peculiarity and cause of bloating in pregnant women is enzymatic deficiency. Bloating may be accompanied by additional heartburn, heaviness in the abdomen, belching. If the pregnant woman, moreover, does not follow the rules of nutrition and eats a lot, then flatulence becomes chronic. Then pancreatitis may occur.

The reason for the appearance of flatulence in the morning in pregnant women may be an increased concentration of progesterone. This hormone is responsible for relaxing the muscles of the internal organs, including the intestines. When intestinal tone is weakened, digestion is slower and congestion, obstruction, and bloating may occur.

Flatulence can also signal more serious diseases. So, increased gas formation often occurs due to the growth of a cyst in some organ of the woman’s reproductive system.Therefore, it is recommended to consult a gynecologist at the first manifestations of flatulence to confirm or exclude this option. Most often, the doctor prescribes a series of tests and ultrasound.

In rare cases, bloating is the result of a malignant or benign tumor in the ovaries.

The causes of severe flatulence in the morning can be in diseases

The causes of strong and prolonged flatulence can be a signal or a harbinger of many diseases. These include the following:

• Stress, excitement, lack of sleep.All systems are interconnected, so if the central nervous system is subject to overload, then this will directly affect the work of the intestines.

  Diarrhea

  Stress

• Diarrhea can cause bloating.
• Heaving can be caused by the appearance of inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract, more precisely in the intestines.
• Morning flatulence may occur due to intestinal obstruction. Food stagnates, rots and ferments, as a result – the intense formation of gases.
• Liver disease. So, one of the characteristics of liver cirrhosis is strong gas formation.
• Presence of hemorrhoids and fissures in the anus. These changes cause poor bowel function, the formation of stagnation of digestion products, and bloating.
• Bowel diseases such as atony, irritable bowel syndrome.
• Parasites, helminths in the rectum. These organisms, in the course of their vital activity, emit gases that enter the intestinal space.

Flatulence in these cases does not appear by itself. Bloating is caused by serious medical conditions that need to be treated.

Gas formation in the morning is a natural process. But as soon as he begins to cause discomfort to a person and becomes painful, there is a reason to contact a specialist to find out the reasons. During the examination, the doctor will prescribe the correct treatment or advise you to adhere to a certain diet.

increase in body temperature during pregnancy before delay – 25 recommendations on Babyblog.ru

Very often, after the appearance of two stripes on the dough, a woman says to herself: “Wait! But I felt for a long time that I was pregnant! ” and for many, a positive test is not a surprise, but rather a confirmation that intuition has already suggested. What are the first changes in the body that give rise to our subconscious mind to suspect pregnancy when we ourselves are still driving all sorts of assumptions away from ourselves, saying to ourselves: “Well, it’s no use fantasizing.You need to wait for a delay! ”The article collected and analyzed not only the classic signs of pregnancy, but also the signs of pregnancy described by the participants of one of the pregnancy planning sites, BEFORE THEY HAVE LEARNED ABOUT PREGNANCY and within a week after.

Small spotting

Allocation can be as slight bleeding or just a few brown droplets or even just a “yellowish trace” on toilet paper.Usually the thought accompanying them: “Something’s monthly this time is early,” or “Well, here’s your period.” This implantation bleeding is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. Approximately 6 to 12 days after conception, the embryo is planted on the uterine wall. In some women, this process is accompanied by bleeding, but in many, no discharge appears at all, which is also normal. Small discharge may periodically reappear on days when the ovum is more actively “implanted” into the wall of the uterus.Most often they are “creamy” yellow or pink in consistency. They may appear after a delay, but in this case it is necessary to consult a doctor in order to exclude the threat of termination of pregnancy. Also, discharge of a pink and yellow character can be provoked and by erosion of the cervix , which intensifies with the onset of pregnancy. Erosion of the cervix is ​​a violation of the integrity of the lining of the vaginal part of the cervix. During pregnancy, it acquires an even brighter red color due to increased blood circulation in the cervix, and can easily bleed on contact.

Increase in basal temperature, implantation sinking When measuring basal temperature, a sign of pregnancy is the so-called “implantation sinking” – a sharp decrease in temperature by one day in the second phase. This is one of the signs most commonly seen on confirmed pregnancy charts. This retraction can occur for two reasons, firstly, the production of the hormone progesterone, which is responsible for raising the temperature, begins to decrease from the middle of the second phase, with the onset of pregnancy, its production resumes again, which leads to temperature fluctuations.Secondly, with the onset of pregnancy, the hormone estrogen is released, which in turn lowers the temperature. The combination of these two hormonal shifts leads to the appearance of implantation depression on the graph. And also a sign of developing pregnancy is considered a basal temperature above 37 degrees. True, it remains elevated only for the first few weeks, until the placenta begins to function.

Feeling unwell Very many women who do not know about the onset of pregnancy believe that they caught a cold and fell ill.This is due to the fact that in the first trimester of pregnancy, a woman’s body temperature is increased, as well as fatigue. Therefore, there is a feeling that the woman is getting sick.

But many do get a little sick, probably due to a slight decrease in immunity. Often there are complaints of throat, runny nose. In this case, the main thing is not to heal yourself with strong medicines contraindicated during pregnancy and to use traditional medicine more.

Breast tenderness Breast swelling or tenderness is a common sign of pregnancy that appears 1 to 2 weeks after conception. A woman may notice how her breasts have changed; they react to every, even a slight touch, hurt or swell, sometimes it is almost impossible to touch them. In turn, there are pregnant women who “do not feel” their breasts in the first weeks of pregnancy, and some, on the contrary, are surprised that the breasts “, strangely enough, it hurts before menstruation,” and then learn about the onset of pregnancy.Darkening of the skin around the nipples also indicates pregnancy.

Feeling of “fullness”, heaviness in the pelvic region During pregnancy and increases blood flow to the pelvic organs, the uterus gradually increases. Therefore, many pregnant women “feel” their uterus from the very first days of implantation and refer it to the first signs of pregnancy. The other, less pleasant side of the coin is the appearance of hemorrhoids . For many, it appears in the second half of pregnancy due to the pressure of a growing fetus, but some expectant mothers (especially those who have given birth before that) encounter this trouble already in the first weeks of pregnancy, all due to the same increased blood flow.

Tingling in the uterus during pregnancy Many pregnant women in the first or second week of pregnancy notice periodic tingling in the uterus.

Rapid fatigue / sleepiness, disorganization Feeling tired or apathetic is a common sign of pregnancy, which may appear as early as the first week after conception. One of its reasons is the increased production of the hormone “progesterone” plus a general restructuring of the body for pregnancy. Progesterone depresses the psyche, which is manifested by depression, irritability and drowsiness.Starting from 10 weeks of pregnancy, an active hormone-producing function of the placenta begins. In accordance with the increase in the gestational age and the growth of the fetus, in addition to progesterone, the level of estrogens increases, which have a stimulating effect on the psyche, and drowsiness disappears.

Hot and cold Another early sign of pregnancy can be considered the fact that you feel hot and cold and you, accordingly, cannot keep warm in three pairs of woolen socks, then you get hot when it’s +10 on the street and you are in the same T-shirt.This is due to an increased body temperature in the first trimester of pregnancy and a decrease in blood pressure. Interestingly, many also report facial redness in the evening.

Restless sleep Many women who are not yet aware of their pregnancy report that their sleep has become more restless. In the evening, they start going to bed earlier, and often just “cut out”, but they wake up on their own at 6-7 am and cannot fall asleep again. There is also a feeling of “weakness” even after a full night’s sleep.

Nausea, increased salivation, aversion to odors This classic pregnancy symptom often occurs 2 to 8 weeks after conception. Some lucky women do not face the problem of nausea during the entire pregnancy, but an aversion to smells, nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy occurs in 50% of women. Vomiting during pregnancy can occur several times a day and is often combined with nausea and drooling. Vomiting is accompanied by a decrease in appetite, a change in taste and smell.It is considered as a disorder of the neuro-endocrine regulation of body functions, and the leading role in this belongs to the violation of the functional state of the central nervous system. However, such vomiting can also be caused by factors of an intragastric nature, often being an important symptom of dysfunction of the digestive system.

Along with vomiting in case of toxicosis in early pregnancy due to severe irritation of the salivary center, salivation is often observed, which can lead to a significant and undesirable decrease in the body weight of a pregnant woman (up to 2-3 kg within one week).If the abundantly separated saliva is swallowed, then, entering the stomach, it changes the acidity of the gastric juice and causes a violation of the digestive function.

It is important to take into account that vomiting is a defensive reaction, since the body is freed from toxic and rejected substances. This is the manifestation of evolutionary adaptation in response to harmful influences. At the same time, along with the vomit, the body loses saliva, digestive juices containing proteins necessary for the body (including enzymes), electrolytes, in some cases – partially or completely – the food taken.In this regard, with frequent vomiting, water-salt, protein and fat metabolism, the balance of vitamins and minerals, and the activity of the endocrine glands are gradually disrupted.

Pain in the lower back Mild pain, “lumbago” in the lower back, in the region of the sacrum can also indicate an early pregnancy; however, mild pain occurs periodically throughout the entire period of gestation.

In the early stages, “lumbago” often appears from the pelvic area to the legs.

Headache and migraines

A sudden increase in the level of hormones in the body can cause headaches in early pregnancy, and therefore also serve as an indirect sign of pregnancy. Headaches usually subside by the end of the first trimester and leave the pregnant woman enjoying her position.

Slight swelling of the hands Progesterontact also contributes to the retention of salts and fluids in the body, which can lead to slight edema, when when you clench your hand into a fist, you feel that your fingers have become, as it were, thicker.

Bloating, gas, bowel disorders A frequent sign of pregnancy is a noticeable increase in abdominal circumference in the earliest stages of pregnancy, when the uterus is still slightly enlarged, associated with bloating. In the process of digestion, gas always occurs in the intestines. During pregnancy, the intestine becomes more “lazy”, its peristalsis slows down, and, consequently, the speed of movement of the intestinal contents decreases, its bloating increases, and constipation may appear.This is facilitated by hormonal changes characteristic of pregnancy, which leads to an increase in the blood filling of the vessels of the abdominal cavity and, as a consequence, to a slight swelling of the intestinal walls.

Frequent urge to urinate Frequent urination during the day and at night is a common early sign of pregnancy. It should be noted that there are no other painful sensations (pains, cuts, burning). These phenomena disappear by 4 months of pregnancy. This is caused by significant hormonal changes that accompany pregnancy.The increased level of female sex hormones at first contributes to a significant rush of blood to the pelvic organs. Overflow of blood vessels causes temporary changes in the functioning of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. These phenomena decrease in the second trimester of pregnancy, however, they can be safely attributed to frequent signs of pregnancy.

Lowering blood pressure A universal phenomenon during pregnancy is a slight decrease in blood pressure.If a woman had low blood pressure before pregnancy, then against the background of pregnancy, periodic states of a significant decrease in blood pressure (less than 90/60 mm Hg) are possible and, as a consequence, weakness, dizziness, headache, fainting. Deterioration of health usually occurs with prolonged standing, while taking hot baths, with prolonged stay in a stuffy hot room, on an empty stomach. For pregnant women with a tendency to hypotension, the daily regimen is especially important: night sleep for 9-10 hours and daytime sleep for 1-2 hours.

Increased appetite / cravings for certain foods Zhor often accompanies an incipient pregnancy and is considered one of its symptoms. You may not be tempted to indulge in pickles or vanilla ice cream, but many pregnant women do develop food cravings.

Increased vaginal discharge, the appearance of thrush

The secretion of secretion from the vagina increases – this is due to the increasing blood filling of the pelvic organs.During pregnancy, the concentration of hydrogen ions in the vaginal secretion increases, which protect the body of the expectant mother from harmful microorganisms entering it. But, unfortunately, yeast fungi reproduce well in this environment, and because of this, pregnant women often have thrush (candidiasis), which must be cured, otherwise infection of the fetus may occur, and during childbirth, the tissues of the birth canal will tear more easily.