STOMACH PAIN: HOW SERIOUS IS YOURS, AND WHAT REMEDY

Stomach Aches

Stomach pain can be caused by various issues, from gas to more severe conditions like Crohn’s disease or appendicitis. Noting the seriousness and area of the abdomen affected can help with a diagnosis.

Abdominal pain is a kind of pain which occurs between the pelvic regions and the chest. Abdominal pain can be intermittent, achy, sharp, crampy, or dull. It’s also called a stomachache.

Localized Pain

Localized pain is limited to one part of the abdomen. This pain occurs as a result of problems in a particular organ. The most typical cause of pain is stomach ulcers (open sores on the stomach’s inner lining).

Cramp-like Pain

Cramp-like pain may be associated with diarrhoea, flatulence, bloating, or constipation. In people assigned female at birth, it can be related to reproductive complications, miscarriage, or menstruation. This pain would come and go and may go away without a cure.

Bacterial or Parasitic Infections

Bacterial or parasitic infections that affect the intestines and stomach may also cause significant abdominal pain.

General Abdominal Discomfort

Often, pain or distress anywhere in the abdomen is described as a stomach ache. However, the stomach may not actually be the source of the pain. Conditions of the digestive tract often cause stomach aches. Still, they can also be caused by disorders of the body wall, chest organs, urinary tract, reproductive organs, or blood vessels.

Stomach aches may be associated with diet, infection, or inflammation. Localized pain can be due to organs near the side of pain, such as the gallbladder or appendix in the lower abdomen or stomach in the upper abdomen. Obstruction occurring anywhere in the intestinal tract can manifest as stomach aches. Menstrual cramps, pelvic inflammation, and endometriosis disease are known to cause lower abdominal pain or generalized stomach aches in women.

Digestive Disorders

The stomach pain originates from hiatal hernias, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), heartburn, peptic ulcers, or gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining). Symptoms can be brought on by certain foods and may worsen when lying plain. Pain from gas and bloating may arise from the intestines or abdominal cramps. It may be related to intestinal infection, food intake, or inflammation.

Other Causes

Pain related to shingles, a reactivation of the chickenpox virus, may be attributed to generalized stomach problems until the blisters rash becomes apparent. Abdominal heart attack, conditions of the reproductive organs, trauma, lung problems, poisoning, and infections or stones of the urinary tract can cause symptoms that are perceived as general stomach problems.

When to Seek Immediate Medical Care

Seek immediate medical care for severe pain that comes on suddenly, bloody stool, and vomiting blood. An inability to have bowel movements, breathing difficulties, or pain in the neck, shoulders, or chest. Stomach pain that is severe or does not improve within a day or two can be a symptom of a serious illness. You should seek immediate care if you have cancer, severe stomach ache, or are pregnant.

If your stomach ache is non-stop or causes concern, seek prompt medical care.

Causes of Stomach Ache

Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis occurs when the intestines and stomach are inflamed due to viral or bacterial infection. Gastroenteritis, sometimes called flu by doctors, is the most common form. Other causes include reactions to food or medications.

Around 179 million trusted source cases, like acute gastroenteritis every year, in a study in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, make it one of the most common illnesses.

Symptoms and signs of gastroenteritis include:

• Low-grade fever or chills
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Stomach cramps
• Muscle aches
• Nausea

Symptoms can occur for up to a week. Some treatment options include staying hydrated, resting, taking OTC medications, and eating soft foods.

Salmonella Infection

According to the CDC, infection with Salmonella bacteria is the most common occurrence in the U.S. It causes 1.2 million trusted source illnesses annually. People typically get the infection from consuming contaminated food or water.

Symptoms usually begin within 12 to 72 hours of infection and may include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Headache
• Fever or chills
• Stomach cramps
• Nausea

Treatment is typically unnecessary, and most people return to a normal state of health within a few days. During this time, self-care measures can reduce distress. People with severe symptoms may require hospitalization or medication.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

A urinary tract infection happens when bacteria or other microbes infect the urinary tract. Females have a high risk of developing UTIs than males, with 40–60% of females experiencing one in their lifetime.

Symptoms may include:

• An increase in urinary urgency
• An increase in urinary frequency
• Burning pain when urinating
• Fever or chills
• Cloudy, strong-smelling, or pink urine
• Passing small amounts of urine regularly
• Pain in the back, which may spread to the abdomen

Most UTIs require antibiotic treatment, but home remedies can reduce distress until the infection clears up. Home remedies include using a heating pad on the abdomen, avoiding caffeine, and drinking plenty of water.

Prostatitis

Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland located under the bladder in men. Prostatitis has a prevalence rate of 8.2% and is the most common urological diagnosis in males aged 50 and below.

Bacterial prostatitis, which results from bacterial infection, can cause the following:

• Frequent urination
• Flu-like symptoms, such as chills
• Cloudy or bloody urine
• Difficulty urinating
• Painful urination and ejaculation
• Pain in the abdomen, groin, genitals, or lower back

Treatment includes taking antibiotics and other medications. Using heating pads and making dietary and lifestyle changes may provide symptom relief.

Gallbladder Inflammation

Gallbladder inflammation, or cholecystitis, is an abnormal gallbladder enlargement. Gallstones are the commonest cause of gallbladder inflammation. Other causes include infections and tumours.

Cholecystitis symptoms, which get worse after eating large or fatty meals, include:

• Pain in the back or right shoulder
• Fever or chills
• Nausea
• Abdominal tenderness and pain, usually in the upper right or centre

If left untreated, gallbladder inflammation can cause serious difficulty. Treatments include pain relievers, fasting, intravenous fluids, and hospitalization. Surgery may be essential to remove the gallstones or the entire gallbladder.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Pelvic inflammatory disease occurs when sexually transmitted bacteria, including Chlamydia or Gonorrhoea, ovaries and uterus, spread to the Fallopian tubes. Nearly 5% of sexually experienced females of reproductive age have PID.

Symptoms include:

• Fever
• Bleeding during or after sex
• Chills
• Difficult or painful urination
• Bleeding between periods
• Pain in the lower abdomen and pelvis
• Heavy and foul-smelling vaginal discharge

Doctors prescribe antibiotics to people with PID. Sexual partners also require treatment. The infection can cause infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain without treatment.

Appendicitis

Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix, a piece of tissue attached to the large intestine. Appendicitis affects one in a thousand people in the U.S., usually between 10–30 years old.

The condition causes pain in the lower right-hand side of the abdomen. It gets worse over time and may occur alongside:

• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Fever or chills
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite

Surgery is essential to remove the appendix.

Symptoms That May Occur With a Stomach Ache

Digestive Tract Symptoms

Stomach aches may accompany symptoms affecting the digestive system, including:

• Cramp or abdominal pain
• Abdominal swelling
• Belching
• Changes in bowel movements
• Constipation
• Nausea with or without vomiting
• Cramping
• Diarrhoea
• Gas
• Indigestion
• Urgent need to pass stool
• Bloody stool (blood may be black, red, or tarry in texture)

Lifestyle Prevention of Stomach Ache

The most important lifestyle change to prevent any disease is to have a proper diet plan. Eating high-fibre healthy food and drinking a lot of fluid could be the best preventive measures to avoid stomach aches. Some important other factors that may help you to prevent stomach aches are stated below:

• Avoid overeating.
• Add fruits and vegetables to your diet as much as possible.
• Never take your dinner right before bedtime.
• Clean your hands properly before eating to avoid food poisoning and other stomach infections.
• Sleep at least for 7 to 8 hours.

Subheadings:

• Stomach Aches
• Localized Pain
• Cramp-like Pain
• Bacterial or Parasitic Infections
• General Abdominal Discomfort
• Digestive Disorders
• Other Causes
• When to Seek Immediate Medical Care
• Causes of Stomach Ache
• Gastroenteritis
• Salmonella Infection
• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
• Prostatitis
• Gallbladder Inflammation
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
• Appendicitis
• Symptoms That May Occur With a Stomach Ache
• Digestive Tract Symptoms
• Lifestyle Prevention of Stomach Ache

Meta Description: Common causes of stomach aches, symptoms, prevention tips, and when to seek medical care. Learn about gastroenteritis, appendicitis, and more.

Excerpt: Learn the causes, symptoms, and prevention of stomach aches, from common issues like gastroenteritis to serious conditions like appendicitis.

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SEO Description: Discover the causes, symptoms, and prevention of stomach aches. Learn about conditions like gastroenteritis, UTI, and appendicitis, along with lifestyle tips to avoid pain.

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