- 1. Changes in intestinal transit
- 2. Poor digestion
- 3. Urinary infection
- 4. Kidney stone
- 5. Menstrual cramps
- 6. Endometriosis
- 7. Ovarian cysts
- 8. Pregnancy
- 9. Ectopic pregnancy
- 10. Pelvic inflammatory disease
- 11. Inguinal hernia
- 12. Testicular torsion
There may be several causes of pain in the foot of the belly, usually related to the organs present in that region, such as the uterus, bladder or intestine, for example. In addition, it is also possible for the pain to begin elsewhere and radiate to the bottom of the belly.
Thus, and since there are several causes for this type of pain, it is very important to consult a general practitioner to make the correct diagnosis and guide the best specialist for each case.
Some of the most common causes for this type of pain include:
1. Changes in intestinal transit
Changes in intestinal transit, such as diarrhea, constipation or gas, can cause abdominal pain, which may arise from several factors such as food intolerances to lactose or gluten, for example, gastroenteritis or viruses, or after the increased intake of some foods that produce gases, like milk, cauliflower and cheese, for example.
How to treat
To treat diarrhea faster, avoid fatty foods, eggs and milk, drink black tea or chamomile or choose a probiotic, such as Floratil or Repoflor, for example.
To treat constipation and gas, it is recommended to eat a diet rich in fiber, drink plenty of water, avoid foods rich in carbohydrates such as rice, potatoes and white bread, or do an abdominal massage below the navel, in the right direction to to the left. Fennel tea can also be a natural option to get rid of gas quickly. Find out more useful tips and watch the following video to learn how to eliminate gases:
2. Poor digestion
Poor digestion can also cause pain and swelling in the belly, as well as other symptoms such as heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation.
How to treat
The treatment of poor digestion can be done by choosing foods that are easy to digest and that do not irritate the stomach, such as gelatin, fruit juices, bread and cookies without filling, avoiding the consumption of fluids during digestion.
In addition, making changes in eating habits can also help digestion a lot. Some important habits are: eat more slowly, chew your food well before swallowing and avoid talking while chewing.
You can also choose to use medicines obtained at the pharmacy such as Gaviscon or milk of magnesia, or the use of home remedies such as boldo tea or fennel tea, for example. See more ways to treat poor digestion.
3. Urinary infection
Urinary tract infection is usually caused by bacteria from the intestine that reach the urinary system and is therefore more common in women, due to the proximity of the anus to the urethra. The symptoms vary with the person, but pain usually occurs when urinating, and if the infection reaches the bladder, you may experience a bad smell, presence of blood in the urine and abdominal pain or a feeling of heaviness in the bottom of the bladder.
How to treat
The most used remedies for the treatment of urinary tract infection are antibiotics, such as Fosfomycin and Amoxicillin and analgesics, such as Pyridium or Uristat, for example. These drugs should always be advised by the doctor. See more about how to treat urinary tract infection.
4. Kidney stone
The kidney stone, when it is not eliminated in the urine, can get stuck in the channels where the urine passes, generating very intense pain and sometimes blood in the urine. This intense pain is usually felt in the bottom of the back, but it can also reach the bottom of the belly, groin or testicles.
How to treat
Treatment consists of the administration of an analgesic, such as Paracetamol or Tramadol, as well as an antispasmodic medication to relax the urinary tract and facilitate the urinary tract, reducing pain. In addition, drinking lots of water and reducing the salt content in your diet are also small tips that can help.
In less severe cases, one can also opt for a natural treatment, using a stone-breaking tea, due to its diuretic action and facilitating the elimination of stones. Learn how to prepare this tea.
5. Menstrual cramps
Also known as dysmenorrhea, menstrual cramps can cause severe pain in the bottom of the belly and back, discomfort and malaise in women, and if they are very intense, a gynecologist should be consulted, in order to identify if there is any dysfunction of the reproductive organs.
How to treat
There are several ways to relieve menstrual cramps, such as the use of contraceptives, or anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relievers such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen.
In addition, you can also use other techniques such as exercising to help reduce cramps, lying on your back and bringing your knees to your chest, holding your legs with your hands, applying compresses of warm water to your abdomen, or even practicing physical exercise. Learn more tips to reduce menstrual cramps.
6. Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a disease that is characterized by the growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, causing severe abdominal cramps during menstruation, which may increase over time. However, the disease is only discovered later, especially when the woman is unable to conceive.
How to treat
Women who wish to have children can treat endometriosis through the use of oral contraceptives, hormonal medications such as Zoladex, for example, by placing an intrauterine device or having surgery to remove the foci of endometriosis. In cases of women who do not wish to have children, surgery may be performed in which the endometrial tissue and the organs involved are removed. See the treatment options for endometriosis.
7. Ovarian cysts
The ovarian cyst consists of a bag of fluid that forms within or around the ovary, which may or may not compromise pregnancy. The ovarian cyst can cause pain in the pelvic area and during sexual intercourse, delayed menstruation, bleeding, nausea and vomiting and excessive tiredness. Here's how to identify the ovarian cyst.
How to treat
Treatment may vary depending on the type of cyst the woman has, and can be resolved only by changing the contraceptive, or in more severe cases, resorting to surgery.
8. Pregnancy
One of the first symptoms of pregnancy is cramping and abdominal swelling, due to an increase in blood flow in the pelvic area and due to the pelvic changes that are happening. In addition, around 7 weeks of gestation, the lower part of the navel starts to become stiff.
How to treat
When a stomach ache caused by pregnancy arises, it is recommended to drink fluids, easily digestible foods, to eat small amounts and to avoid eating foods rich in fiber such as cereals, shelled fruits or legumes, for example. However, if the pain is very severe, you should go to the doctor. See more foods to help treat belly pain in pregnancy.
9. Ectopic pregnancy
Although pain in the bottom of the belly is common in pregnancy, if it becomes very intense, it can be caused by ectopic pregnancy, which happens when the embryo develops outside the uterus, which can cause severe abdominal pain on only one side, abdominal swelling and loss of blood through the vagina. Know what causes can cause an ectopic pregnancy.
How to treat
Treatment depends on the location of the embryo, but it can be done with the use of drugs to cause abortion, or surgery can be done to remove the embryo and rebuild the uterine tube, for example.
10. Pelvic inflammatory disease
This disease is characterized by an infection that begins in the vagina or cervix, and affects the endometrium, tubes and ovaries, and may take only a few days or if it is chronic, it can persist for months or even years. This can be a sexually transmitted disease or be related to endometriosis.
In addition to causing pain in the bottom of the belly, fever, vaginal bleeding, white or yellowish vaginal discharge and pain during intimate contact may also occur. Learn more about pelvic inflammatory disease.
How to treat
Treatment consists of using antibiotics for about 14 days. During treatment, intimate contact should be avoided, and if an intrauterine device is used, it must be removed.
11. Inguinal hernia
Inguinal hernia is more common in men and consists of a bulge in the groin area, caused by the passage of a part of the intestine through a weaker point in the abdominal muscles, causing pain and discomfort in the region when making some movements such as getting up or to bow.
How to treat
The best form of treatment for inguinal hernia is surgery, in which the portion of the intestine is put back in place and the abdominal wall is strengthened. This surgery is usually short and quick to recover. See what the surgery consists of and how the recovery is done.
12. Testicular torsion
Testicular torsion is a problem that usually occurs in young men when a testicle twists around the spermatic cord, decreasing blood circulation, which can cause serious damage to the testicle. The most common symptoms are severe pain in the testicles, with swelling and increased sensitivity in the scrotum and pain in the belly or groin. See more symptoms of testicular torsion.
This type of problem is more common in men who have some type of testicular tumor, have a history of testicular horizontalization, have a history of incomplete descent of the testicles or have a wide spermatic cord, for example.
How to treat
The treatment should be done as soon as possible in the hospital, with surgery, to put the testicle in the correct place and thus allow the blood to pass, preventing the death of the organ.
