What causes abdominal pain? How can you manage it effectively? Find answers to these pressing questions and more in our detailed exploration of the various conditions leading to stomach discomfort.

Understanding the Causes of Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain is a common occurrence that can have a wide range of underlying causes. To effectively manage and treat this discomfort, it is essential to understand the various factors that can contribute to it. Doctors often begin by determining whether the pain is caused by a structural or functional problem within the digestive system.

Structural vs. Functional Digestive Issues

Structural problems refer to abnormalities in the physical structure of the organs, which can impair their proper function. These issues are typically visible through medical imaging tests, such as CT scans or MRI scans. In contrast, functional problems, also known as motility disorders, result from poor nerve and muscle function in the digestive tract, even though the organs may appear normal on imaging tests. Diagnosing functional disorders can be more challenging due to their invisible nature.

Common Causes of Abdominal Pain

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), constipation, ulcers, pancreatitis, and diverticulitis are some of the most common conditions that can lead to abdominal pain. Each of these has its own unique set of symptoms and characteristics that can help healthcare providers identify the underlying cause.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

IBS is a functional disorder that can cause abdominal pain that often worsens after meals or during times of stress. Individuals with IBS may also experience symptoms like diarrhea, constipation, and bloating, but these typically do not result in bleeding or weight loss.

Constipation

Constipation can lead to sharp gas pains throughout the abdomen. People with constipation may feel bloated and full, and their abdomen may appear visibly distended.

Ulcers

Ulcers are sores on the lining of the stomach or the first part of the small intestine. They can cause a burning sensation similar to hunger pangs, as well as nausea, vomiting, or heartburn.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas, can cause severe and sharp pain in the upper middle of the abdomen that may radiate to the back or chest. Individuals with pancreatitis may also experience nausea, vomiting, and fever.

Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is a condition where the small pouches inside the large intestine become infected or inflamed, leading to abdominal discomfort and tenderness in the lower left abdomen area. Other symptoms may include a low-grade fever, nausea, vomiting, or constipation.

Seeking Medical Attention for Abdominal Pain

If you are experiencing persistent or severe abdominal pain, it is essential to seek medical attention. Certain “red flag” symptoms, such as a fever, blood in the stool or vomit, or severe pain, may indicate a more serious underlying condition that requires immediate medical care.

When to See a Doctor

You should consult a healthcare provider if you experience any of the following symptoms in addition to abdominal pain:

• Fever
• Blood in the stool or vomit
• Persistent nausea or vomiting
• Unexplained weight loss
• Difficulty swallowing
• Severe or worsening pain

Diagnostic Procedures for Abdominal Pain

To determine the underlying cause of abdominal pain, healthcare providers may recommend various diagnostic tests, such as imaging scans, endoscopies, or blood work. These tests can help identify structural issues or rule out more serious conditions.

Imaging Scans

Imaging tests, including CT scans, MRI scans, and ultrasounds, can provide valuable information about the condition of the abdominal organs and identify any abnormalities or structural issues.

Endoscopies

Endoscopic procedures, such as upper endoscopies or colonoscopies, allow healthcare providers to directly examine the digestive tract and identify any visible problems, such as ulcers or inflammation.

Blood Tests

Blood tests can help detect signs of infection, inflammation, or other underlying conditions that may be contributing to abdominal pain.

Effective Management of Abdominal Pain

Once the underlying cause of the abdominal pain has been identified, healthcare providers can develop an appropriate treatment plan. This may involve medication, dietary changes, or in some cases, surgical intervention.

Medications for Abdominal Pain

Depending on the condition, healthcare providers may prescribe medications to address the root cause of the abdominal pain, such as antacids for ulcers, anti-inflammatory drugs for pancreatitis, or medications to improve digestive function for conditions like IBS.

Dietary Modifications

Making changes to one’s diet can also play a significant role in managing abdominal pain. Healthcare providers may recommend avoiding certain foods, increasing fiber intake, or adopting a specialized diet, such as a low-FODMAP diet for individuals with IBS.

Surgical Interventions

In some cases, such as with severe or chronic conditions, surgical treatment may be necessary to address the underlying cause of the abdominal pain, such as the removal of the appendix or gallbladder.

Conclusion

Abdominal pain can be a complex and multifaceted issue, with a wide range of potential causes. By understanding the various structural and functional digestive issues that can lead to stomach discomfort, individuals can work closely with their healthcare providers to accurately diagnose the underlying problem and develop an effective treatment plan. Seeking timely medical attention and following a personalized management approach is crucial for effectively addressing abdominal pain and achieving optimal digestive health.

Why Does My Stomach Hurt

Why Does My Stomach Hurt | Johns Hopkins Medicine

Tummy troubles are a common cause for a visit to the doctor’s office. When patients complain of “stomach pain,” they are sometimes describing pain that is throughout the abdomen area and may not actually be directly related to the organ known as the stomach.

Doctors first try to determine if a patient’s abdominal pain is caused by a structural or functional problem.

Sometimes the digestive tract does not function properly due to an abnormality with the structure of an organ. Medical imaging will show that the organ does not look normal and is not working properly.

The gastrointestinal system has its own nervous system to control the muscle contractions that digest the food you eat. Functional problems, also called motility disorders, result from poor nerve and muscle function in the digestive tract. Gastrointestinal (GI) organs with motility problems will usually look normal on medical imaging tests, such as CT scans or MRI scans, but the organs do not work like they should. Because functional disorders are hard to see in imaging, they can be challenging to diagnose.

1. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

   IBS related abdominal pain may become worse after you eat a meal or if you are stressed. If you have IBS, you will have symptoms such as diarrhea or constipation and bloating, but they will not cause bleeding or weight loss.

2. Constipation

   You may experience sharp gas pains that occur throughout the abdomen area if constipation is the reason for your abdominal pain. People who are constipated often have a feeling of being bloated and full, and their abdomen may even become visibly distended.

3. Ulcers

   An ulcer is a sore on the lining of your stomach or first part of the small intestine. Ulcers may cause a burning sensation similar to hunger pangs. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting or heartburn.

4. Pancreatitis

   Abdominal pain caused by pancreatitis, which is inflammation in the pancreas, is a severe and sharp pain occurring in the upper middle of the abdomen that can sometimes radiate to your back or chest. You may also experience other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and fever. Pancreatitis may occur as either a sudden acute attack or a chronic condition.

5. Diverticulitis

   Abdominal discomfort and tenderness in the lower left abdomen area may be caused by diverticulitis. This is when the small pouches inside the large intestine become infected or inflamed. Other symptoms may include a low-grade fever, nausea, vomiting or constipation.

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Stabbing Pain In Stomach – Signs Stomach Pain Isn’t Normal

Fever

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A fever is one of the symptoms doctors call “red flag symptoms,” Dr. Brauning explains. “If you have stabbing pain anywhere, and you also have a fever, you need a doctor,” she says.

Fevers are often a sign of infection, and if it’s accompanied by stomach pain, then it could indicate a serious infection like appendicitis, which is inflammation of the appendix, or colitis, inflammation of the colon.

Blood in stool or vomit

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Blood is another huge red flag, Dr. Brauning says. If you have stomach pain and you’re losing blood — you’re vomiting blood or you have bloody diarrhea or blood in your stool — then you need immediate medical attention.

Sharp abdominal pain accompanied with bloody stools or vomit (or any vomiting at all) could indicate inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, which require medical treatment. Blood and stomach pain could also indicate an ulcer, colon cancer, or bacterial infections (like those caused by E. coli and salmonella).

Acid reflux or heartburn

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If you develop an aching or stabbing pain, or feel pressure in the upper abdominal area just under the ribs, this may indicate a heart-related problem, Kristine Arthur, M. D., internist at Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center, tells Woman’s Day. “This is particularly true if the pain persists or you have other symptoms, like shortness of breath.”

In the vast majority of cases, this type of pain in the epigastric area is related to an acid issue, like acid reflux or heartburn, according to Dr. Brauning. “One thing that we want to make sure of when people have really bad pain in that area, is the possibility of pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas,” she says. Pancreatitis can be caused by heavy alcohol use, cystic fibrosis, and autoimmune conditions. It requires treatment and can become a chronic condition.

Dr. Arthur also says that anyone with risk factors, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, should see a doctor as soon as possible to rule out something more serious.

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Gallbladder attack

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If you’ve hit the drive-thru for a high-fat meal and shortly after find yourself in extreme pain that doesn’t dissipate, it could be a sign of a gallbladder attack, Hardeep Singh, M. D., a gastroenterologist at St. Joseph Hospital, tells Woman’s Day. The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped sac that sits underneath your liver, and its main function is to store bile and pass it along to the small intestine, where fat gets digested. When the gallbladder becomes inflamed — usually due to gallstones blocking the duct that leads to the small intestine, causing bile to build up — it can lead to gallbladder disease.

Heart attack

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Vague upper- and mid-abdominal pain that occurs with nausea and burping could indicate a heart attack, Robert Glatter, M.D., national spokesman for the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), tells Woman’s Day. Vomiting that also brings on back or jaw pain, and feeling short of breath could also signal a life-threatening emergency, he adds.

In all of these cases, it’s important to get to the emergency room right away. “Obtaining a simple ECG and even ordering cardiac markers known as troponin may be lifesaving,” Dr. Glatter says.

Kidney stones

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Knife-like, stabbing pain that attacks the lower stomach area towards the back and is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever, and chills could be a sign of kidney stones, Dr. Glatter says. If that’s the case, get to your doctor as soon as possible. A CT scan will be used to diagnose the stone and NSAIDs provide pain relief, he adds. Otherwise, rescue narcotics (potent, immediate-relief drugs) may be required to relieve continued pain, and alpha blockers (medication used to relax blood vessels and increase blood flow) may be helpful in allowing larger stones to pass.

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Episodic pain or pain coming in waves

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Kidney stones, Dr. Brauning says, can cause pain anywhere in the belly. “We typically think of them as causing back pain, because that’s where the kidneys are — kind of towards the back,” she says. “But as a stone travels down, it can sometimes create pain in the front. “

You can distinguish kidney stone pain from other pain by paying attention to when it happens. Like gallstone pain, the pain from kidney stones is often episodic and will come in waves, Dr. Brauning says.

In most cases, she says doctors will keep patients hydrated and give them medication to help them pass the stones. In some cases, doctors have to surgically remove the stones or break them up.

Appendicitis

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A sudden pain in the right side of the lower abdomen, especially if it’s accompanied by a fever, may be a sign of appendicitis, Dr. Arthur says. This pain often begins around the belly button area and moves to the lower abdomen, gets worse with time, and could also cause fever, chills, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation.

If you experience these symptoms and the pain is persistent, comes on out-of-nowhere, or lasts for several hours, Dr. Arthur says to get to an emergency room immediately. Appendicitis often requires surgery, and if left untreated a ruptured appendix can be deadly.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

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If you’re experiencing bloat and either diarrhea or constipation with lower abdominal cramps, that could be a sign of irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, Dr. Singh says. The chronic condition affects 25 to 45 million people in the U.S. population, according to the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders. While it can develop at any age, most are under 50 years old, and about two of every three IBS sufferers are female.

When you experience stomach pain symptoms associated with IBS, Dr. Singh says the best course of action is to turn to remedies that will immediately help relieve your pain. IBS can also be controlled long-term by managing your diet and stress in a healthy manner, though your doctor may also recommend medication and counseling.

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Perforations

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When mid-abdominal pain occurs suddenly — especially in people with a history of peptic ulcer disease or in those who take excessive amounts of aspirin or NSAIDs — it could indicate a perforation has happened in your stomach, Dr. Glatter says.

Perforations are considered a surgical emergency because if they’re not taken care of right away, the presence of free air and gastric contents can lead to a serious condition known as peritonitis, which is when a bacterial or fungal infection causes inflammation of the peritoneum, a silk-like membrane that covers the organs in your abdomen. “This may lead to septic shock as a result of contamination in the abdominal cavity,” Dr. Glatter explains. Septic shock requires surgery to seal the leak, and if it’s not done fast enough, your organs may begin to shut down and it could ultimately be fatal.

Diverticulitis

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Abdominal pain in the left lower area of the abdomen may signify diverticulitis, small pockets in the colon that can become obstructed and perforate. It’s usually more common in older patients, says Dr. Brauning.

Luckily, a trip to urgent care may be all you need, as traditional treatment includes antibiotics and stool softeners to reduce the risk of abscess formation, he explains. Research suggests that antibiotics may not actually be required though, so Dr. Glatter says your doctor may try simple pain meds, like acetaminophen, to see if that’s enough before trying more hardcore medications.

Porphyria

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If you find yourself completely incapacitated by your stomach pain, you might be suffering from porphyria, a group of disorders that result from a buildup of natural chemicals that produce porphyrin in your body. With this, you might also experience weakness, numbness of the extremities, and neuropsychiatric changes like developing anxiety or depression.

“A person with porphyria may have symptoms for over a decade before being diagnosed and treated,” Gregory Sayuk, M.D., M.PH, and Associate Professor of Medicine and Psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, tells Woman’s Day. “It’s a rare disorder and it’s only when patients bring it up to their doctors that they get a diagnosis. ”

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Vaginal bleeding

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Dr. Brauning notes that severe pain on either the right or left side could indicate a reproductive health problem, such as a ruptured ovarian cyst or an ectopic pregnancy.

With a ruptured ovarian cyst, sharp, sudden pain on the lower left or right side of your stomach might be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, pelvic pressure, and urinary pain or frequent urination, Dr. Brauning says. A ruptured cyst can also cause vaginal spotting or bleeding as well as bloating.

Usually, you can treat the symptoms with over-the-counter medications, according to Johns Hopkins University. But if you have severe nausea and vomiting, fever, heavy vaginal bleeding, or faintness or dizziness, seek immediate medical attention.

An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilized egg attaches itself to the fallopian tube, abdominal cavity, or cervix rather than the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies can cause severe pain on one side of the abdomen, rectal pressure, light or heavy vaginal spotting or bleeding, and dizziness or fainting, according to Healthline. Ectopic pregnancies can be life-threatening and require immediate medical treatment.

Ulcer

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If you have indigestion with sharp stomach pain, it could indicate an ulcer. “You can get an ulcer in your stomach lining or in the first part of the small intestine,” Dr. Brauning says. “They can cause very intense pain [from] ulcerations.”

Not all stomach ulcers cause indigestion though, according to Medical News Today, so you should also look out for a biting or “gnawing” pain that can sometimes be alleviated by eating or taking antacids.

Some people don’t notice stomach ulcers until they start bleeding, which can cause black and sticky stools or blood in vomit. Rarely, some untreated stomach ulcers can lead to a hole in the stomach wall, which can lead to infection and requires immediate medical attention.

Physicians treat stomach ulcers by figuring out what is causing them (like excessive use of ibuprofen) and then reducing acid in the patient’s diet. Surgery might be necessary in some cases.

Unintentional weight loss

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Dr. Sayuk says unintentional weight loss that accompanies stomach pain is a red flag symptom. “We always want to keep an eye on symptoms that raise the need to do additional diagnostic testing earlier in the diagnosis process,” he explains.

If you have stabbing stomach pains, are losing weight unintentionally, have anemia, and/or have a family history of gastrointestinal cancers or inflammatory bowel diseases, you need to let your doctor know in order to quickly diagnose a potentially serious disease, like cancer.

Dr. Brauning says abdominal pain anywhere and weight loss are “a signal to us that we need to make sure something systemic isn’t going on.” Inflammatory bowel disease and chronic pancreatitis are two serious conditions that could cause unexplained weight loss.

Elizabeth Berry

Updates Editor

Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.

Pain in the “pit of the stomach” – causes and symptoms

It is better to consult a doctor, rather than looking for answers on the Internet yourself and wasting your time!

PAIN IN THE STOMACH is a serious signal, and sometimes a “cry” of the body about its problem. This is one of the most common complaints in patients with diseases not only of the gastrointestinal tract, but also of other body systems. Sometimes even specialists find it difficult to immediately find out the cause of the pain. It is important to know that abdominal pain sometimes requires emergency care.

PAIN IN THE EPIGASTRIUM (“UNDER THE SPOKEN”, EPIGASTRALGIA) – pain in the abdomen, localized between the xiphoid process of the sternum and the umbilicus. It can be associated with many diseases not only of the gastrointestinal tract, but also of other organs. Pain in the epigastrium is acute and chronic.

Acute pain in the epigastrium occurs abruptly, grows rapidly and becomes so intense and unbearable that it disrupts human activity. This pain can be cutting, bursting, cramping, stabbing or “dagger” in nature.

“Symptoms of anxiety”: if acute pain in the abdomen is severe, accompanied by fever, chills, increased heart rate, nausea, vomiting, severe abdominal distention, constipation or diarrhea, black, tarry stools, tension of the anterior abdominal wall, sharp pain when lightly touching the abdomen or pushing the bed – you should immediately consult a doctor, as an examination of the abdomen, blood tests, ultrasound examination (ultrasound) of the abdominal cavity and possibly other studies to rule out acute surgical and other severe pathology.

Causes of acute epigastric pain:

• acute appendicitis (at the beginning of the disease)

• diseases of the stomach and duodenum (acute gastritis, ulcer, cancer)

• hiatal hernia (strangulation)

• diseases of the pancreas (acute pancreatitis, cysts, cancer)

• diseases of the biliary system (acute cholecystitis, cholelithiasis and biliary colic, biliary dyskinesia with gallbladder spasm)

• bowel diseases (inflammatory diseases, cancer of the transverse colon)

• damage to the vessels of the abdominal cavity (dissecting aneurysm of the aorta, thrombosis and embolism of the vessels of the abdominal cavity)

• hernia of the white line of the abdomen (strangulation)

• diseases of the nervous system (shingles (herpes zoster), damage to the solar plexus, intercostal neuralgia)

• heart diseases (acute myocardial infarction, acute pericarditis)

Chronic epigastric pain – present continuously or intermittently for 3 or more months. It happens aching, burning, pulling, bursting, sometimes it is felt as heaviness or discomfort.

“Symptoms of anxiety”: if chronic abdominal pain is accompanied by weight loss, fever, loss of appetite, blood in the stool, jaundice, edema development, abdominal enlargement, increasing weakness, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible to exclude severe organic pathology.

Causes of chronic epigastric pain:

• diseases of the pancreas (chronic pancreatitis, cyst, cancer)

• bowel diseases (irritable bowel syndrome, tumor of the transverse colon)

• diseases of the vessels of the abdominal cavity (atherosclerosis of the aorta, mesenteric vessels, vasculitis)

• diseases of the spine (osteochondrosis with radicular syndrome)

In our gastroenterological center “Expert” you will find the cause of epigastric pain, prescribe the necessary examination and treatment. We have the most modern expert-class equipment (ultrasound, endoscopy). Experienced and attentive specialists – a gastroenterologist, a neurologist, a surgeon, ultrasound diagnostics doctors and endoscopists, and, if necessary, a psychotherapist – will come to your aid.

Pain in the pit of the stomach – General information, Causes. Tomsk

General information

The epigastric region is the area directly below the xiphoid process, corresponding to the projection of the stomach onto the anterior abdominal cavity . If you mentally draw a line along the abdomen, through the lower edge of the ribs, everything above this line to the ribs (a triangle is obtained) is the epigastric region.

Discomfort in the epigastric zone (area below the xiphoid process, corresponding to the projection of the stomach on the wall of the peritoneum) is usually called pain in the pit of the stomach.

If we draw an imaginary horizontal line at the level of the lower edge of the ribs, and also outline the bottom of the costal arches, then the resulting triangular region will correspond to the epigastrium. Pain in the pit of the stomach , depending on the localization of the clinical syndrome, serves as a guideline for establishing the diagnosis.

Causes of pain in the pit of the stomach

Pain in the pit of the pit of the stomach and right hypochondrium is more often observed with damage to the diaphragm, esophagus, duodenum, biliary tract, liver, pancreas, cardia of the stomach, as well as:

• right-sided pneumonia;

• pathologies of the heart;

• right-sided pyelonephritis;

• vesicoureteral reflux;

• urolithiasis.

Pain in the pit of the stomach and left hypochondrium is observed in hiatal hernia , fundic gastritis, pancreatitis, lesions of the spleen, splenic angle of the large intestine, constipation, as well as extra-abdominal diseases (left-sided pyelonephritis, urolithiasis, vesicoureteral reflux, left-sided pneumonia ).

The appearance of pain primarily under the pit of the stomach or around the navel, followed by the transfer of pain to the right iliac region, the greatest pain and muscle tension in this region are typical for acute appendicitis.

Acute pancreatitis begins with a sharp constant pain in the pit of the stomach, taking on a girdle character. The occurrence of pain is preceded by the use of abundant fatty foods, alcohol. Characterized by repeated vomiting of gastric contents, then duodenal contents, which does not bring relief.

Myocardial infarction (gastralgic form) is similar to the clinical manifestations of ulcer perforation. The onset of the disease is characterized by the occurrence of acute pain in the pit of the stomach, radiating to the region of the heart, between the shoulder blades. The patient’s condition is severe, he tries to maintain a fixed position, more often half-sitting. The pulse is frequent, arrhythmic, arterial pressure is reduced.

Basal pneumonia and pleurisy. Pain in the upper abdomen occurs acutely, aggravated by breathing, coughing. Breathing is superficial, with auscultation it is possible to detect pleural friction noise, wheezing in the lower parts of the chest. Body temperature increased to 38-40°C. The pulse is frequent. The tongue is wet. The abdomen may be moderately tense in the pit of the stomach.

Spontaneous pneumothorax is a complication of bullous emphysema. The sudden onset of acute pain in the right or left half of the chest with irradiation to the epigastric region is characteristic. Breathing is not auscultated over the corresponding lung.

In the period of purulent peritonitis, developed as a result of ulcer perforation, the clinical course is similar to the clinical manifestation of peritonitis of any origin. At the beginning of the complication, typical signs of perforation of the ulcer into the free abdominal cavity appear – suddenly there is an acute pain in the pit of the stomach, a “board-like” tension of the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall of the abdomen. Then the acute phenomena subside due to the delimitation of the inflammatory process.

Perforation of an ulcer of the posterior wall of the stomach. The contents of the stomach are poured into the stuffing bag. Acute pain that occurs under the pit of the stomach is not as sharp as when the contents enter the free abdominal cavity. An objective examination of the patient can reveal soreness and tension in the muscles of the abdominal wall under the pit of the stomach.

For acute duodenitis the following symptoms are characteristic:

Diagnosis is confirmed by duodenofibroscopy, which reveals inflammatory changes in the duodenal mucosa. With a very rare phlegmonous duodenitis, the general condition of the patient worsens sharply, the tension of the muscles of the abdominal wall under the pit of the stomach is determined, positive Shchetkin-Blumberg symptom, fever, neutrophilic leukocytosis, increased ESR.

Other diseases

Compensated stage of pyloroduodenal stenosis does not have any pronounced clinical signs, since the stomach relatively easily overcomes the difficulty in passing food through the narrowed area. The general condition of the patients is satisfactory. Against the background of the usual symptoms of peptic ulcer, patients note a feeling of fullness and heaviness in the pit of the stomach, mainly after a heavy meal, somewhat more often than before, there is heartburn, belching of sour and occasionally vomiting of gastric contents with a pronounced sour taste. Disappears after vomiting pain in the pit of the stomach.

In the stage of subcompensation in patients, the feeling of heaviness and fullness in the pit of the stomach increases, belching appears with an unpleasant smell of rotten eggs due to a long retention of food in the stomach. Patients are often disturbed by sharp colicky pains, associated with increased peristalsis of the stomach. These pains are accompanied by transfusion, rumbling in the abdomen. Almost every day there is copious vomiting, bringing relief, so patients often induce vomiting artificially. Vomit contains an admixture of food taken long before vomiting.

Decompensation stage is characterized by a feeling of fullness in the pit of the stomach, profuse daily vomiting, sometimes multiple times. In the absence of spontaneous vomiting, patients are forced to induce vomiting artificially or resort to gastric lavage through a tube. After emptying the stomach, relief occurs for several hours. Thirst occurs, diuresis decreases as a result of dehydration. Inadequate intake of food and water into the intestines is the cause of 90,004 constipation. Some patients develop diarrhea due to the ingestion of fermentation products from the stomach into the intestines.

Hepatic colic is characterized by acute, cramping pain in the pit of the stomach or in the right hypochondrium, quickly relieved by antispasmodic drugs. Body temperature is normal. When examining the abdomen, signs of acute inflammation are not detected.

Pain in the pit of the stomach is inherent in many infectious diseases. Sudden abdominal pain, predominantly in the epigastric, umbilical or mesogastric region, nausea, profuse repeated vomiting, loose stools should lead the clinician to suspect the possibility food poisoning (PTI).

Gastrointestinal disorders in PTI are almost always accompanied by intoxication phenomena :

Quite often, patients name a “suspicious” product, which, in their opinion, served as a factor of infection. Pain in the pit of the stomach is typical for food poisoning, salmonellosis and certain forms of acute dysentery, proceeding as food poisoning, for the initial period of viral hepatitis. At the first symptoms of pain in the pit of the stomach and other painful conditions, it is necessary to seek help from a gastroenterologist.