Bowel pain: main causes and what to do

Changes in the intestine are common causes of pain in the belly, which can be caused by both mild causes and do not cause much discomfort, but they can also have serious causes and which, if not quickly treated, can put the person's life at risk.

Some of the most common causes include constipation, infections, food intolerance, inflammation or even tumors, which can cause pain and other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or changes in stools. To identify what may be the pain in the belly, and confirm whether or not it is due to a change in the intestine, it is very important to seek care from the doctor, who will be able to make clinical evaluations and order tests that confirm the cause.

Although only medical evaluation can accurately identify what pain in the intestine is about, we have summarized here some of the main causes, which include:

1. Constipation

Also known as constipation or constipation, constipation arises when there are less than 3 bowel movements a week, causing dry, hardened stools that are more difficult to eliminate, as well as a feeling of incomplete emptying of the intestine, bloating and abdominal discomfort.

Constipation is very common, and tends to be more frequent in people who do not have a habit of routinely using the bathroom, holding the urge to defecate, in addition to a diet low in fiber and water, use of certain medications, such as antidepressants, anti -inflammatory, corticosteroids or psychotropic drugs, and diseases such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, Parkinson's or other neurological diseases, for example.

What to do: in addition to changes in eating habits, increasing the amount of fiber and water in the diet, it is recommended to seek medical attention to guide the need to use laxatives, or treatment for the cause that caused this symptom.

In addition, it is important to practice physical activity frequently and defecate whenever you feel like it. Learn more about what to do to combat constipation.

2. Diarrhea

It occurs when there are 4 or more bowel movements a day, with changes in the consistency and content of stools, the most common cause being gastroenteritis, caused by viral or bacterial infections, which causes abdominal pain due to increased peristalsis and contractions in the intestine., in addition to nausea, vomiting and, in some cases, fever.

Other causes of diarrhea and abdominal pain also include intestinal worms, diseases that cause changes in the absorption of food, such as celiac disease, food intolerance, use of medicines or irritable bowel, for example. Learn more about the causes of diarrhea.

What to do: the treatment of diarrhea depends on the cause, and is guided by the doctor, which may include the use of antibiotics to treat infections, anti-spasmodics to reduce cramps, hydration and care with food.

3. Irritable bowel syndrome

Also known as irritable bowel syndrome, it is a functional bowel disorder that causes abdominal pain that improves after defecation, as well as changes in the frequency, consistency and appearance of stools, alternating between periods of diarrhea and constipation. Although the cause of this syndrome is not fully understood, it is known to worsen during periods of stress and anxiety.

What to do: in case of suspicion of irritable bowel syndrome, it is necessary to seek assistance from the gastroenterologist, who will be able to make a clinical evaluation and request tests that can exclude other causes and confirm the disease.

It is also recommended to make changes in the diet, avoiding foods that can cause gas and diarrhea and increasing fiber consumption, for example. Some medications, such as probiotics and antidepressants, which soothe both pain and other symptoms, also help treat emotional problems related to the syndrome, such as depression, anxiety and sleep disorders. Learn about other treatment options for irritable bowel syndrome.

4. Food intolerance

Intolerance to certain foods, including the most common ones like lactose, gluten, yeast, alcohol or fructose, for example, are important causes of symptoms such as pain in the belly, diarrhea, discomfort and abdominal bloating.

Generally, intolerance is caused by the lack of the enzyme responsible for the digestion of food, the symptoms usually appear or always get worse after eating the responsible foods.

What to do: if food intolerance is suspected, follow-up with the gastroenterologist together with the nutritionist is indicated. Generally, it is indicated to avoid food, however, in some cases it is possible to replace the missing enzyme.

5. Inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease is characterized by Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, and although the exact causes of these diseases are not known, they are known to be related to autoimmune and genetic issues.

In inflammatory bowel disease, inflammation affects the intestinal wall and can also occur anywhere in the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus, causing symptoms such as abdominal pain, pain in the rectum, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, weakness, nausea, vomiting, bleeding, fever and anemia.

What to do: it is necessary to follow up with the gastroenterologist, who can indicate medications that help to reduce inflammation, such as Sulfasalazine. In some cases, surgery may also be necessary.

6. Intestinal obstruction

Bowel obstruction is a medical emergency, and can occur due to situations like the volvulus, which is bowel twisting, a strangled hernia or tumors in the intestine, for example.

An obstruction can happen in both the small and large intestines, and causes accumulation of gases, feces and liquids, triggering intense inflammation in the intestine, severe cramps in the abdomen, distension, loss of appetite and vomiting.

What to do: in the presence of signs and symptoms that indicate intestinal obstruction, it is necessary to go to the emergency room, where the doctor will perform tests, such as radiography of the abdomen, in addition to the clinical evaluation, to confirm or not this change.

7. Intestinal infarction

Infarction of the intestine, also called intestinal ischemia, arises when there is an obstruction of blood flow to the blood vessels that supply these organs. It causes severe abdominal pain, vomiting and fever, especially after eating, and must be treated quickly to reduce the health risks of the affected person.

It is more common in people over 60 and more frequent in men than in women. It can affect both the small intestine and the colon.

What to do: after detecting this alteration, the doctor may indicate that a surgery should be performed to remove necrotic parts of the intestine or to assist in unblocking the blood vessel.

8. Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is the inflammation and infection of the diverticula, which are small folds or sacs that appear on the walls of the large intestine, and causes pain in the abdomen, changes in the intestinal rhythm, vomiting, fever and chills.

What to do: treatment is done with antibiotics, painkillers, hydration and changes in diet. Only in some cases, in which complications arise, surgery may be indicated. Learn more about what it is and how to treat diverticulitis.

9. Appendicitis

It is an inflammation of the appendix, which is a small organ located on the right side of the abdomen, which has a direct connection with the intestine. This inflammation is severe and can be characterized by pain in the periumbilical region, that is, the return of the navel, which increases and spreads to the lower right region of the abdomen in less than 24 hours. In addition to pain, there may be nausea, vomiting and fever of 38ºC or more. The pain usually increases when walking or coughing.

What to do: the main way to treat appendicitis is with surgery, and antibiotics and hydration are also indicated.

10. Intestinal tumor

Bowel cancer is among the causes of abdominal pain, although it is less common. Intestinal cancer is suspected when, in addition to changes in the intestinal rhythm, there is weight loss, abdominal pain or bleeding in the stools, for example.

What to do: After performing tests that identify the tumor, treatment is guided by the oncologist, and includes chemotherapy, radiation and / or surgery sessions. See more details on treating bowel cancer.