- 1. Intestinal gases
- 2. Constipation
- 3. Appendicitis
- 4. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- 5. Urinary infection
- 6. Gallbladder stone
- 7. Menstrual cramps, pregnancy or ovulation
- When to go to the doctor
The prick in the belly is the sensation of pain in the abdominal region that appears because of conditions related to the consumption of foods rich in carbohydrate and lactose, for example, which lead to the production of excess intestinal gases or constipation.
However, when the prick in the belly is accompanied by other symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, fever and malaise, they may indicate some situations that require confirmation of the diagnosis by a family doctor or gastroenterologist. The treatment to improve the pain in the belly depends on the cause of this symptom, but medications to reduce pain, bloating or intestinal gas may be indicated.
The main causes of pricking in the belly are:
1. Intestinal gases
Intestinal gases are produced in the stomach or intestine, mainly because of the fermentation of foods that contain a lot of carbohydrates and lactose. Some types of vegetables such as beans, chickpeas and lentils, certain vegetables such as cabbage and cauliflower and carbonated drinks are also related to increased intestinal gas.
In some cases, the occurrence of intestinal gases is associated with certain health problems that can be lactose intolerance, hypochlorhydria, worms and irritable bowel syndrome. When intestinal gases are produced in excess they can cause symptoms such as pricking in the belly, burning in the throat, hooking in the chest and constant belching. Know other causes of intestinal gas.
What to do: intestinal gases do not normally cause any other health problems, however, the discomfort caused by the stitches in the belly can generate anxiety and malaise. To relieve and eliminate intestinal gases it is recommended to drink plenty of water during the day, eat calmly, chew your food well and avoid drinking fluids during meals. Medicines with simethicone, such as Luftal, can be used to relieve symptoms.
2. Constipation
Constipation, also known as constipation, occurs when the frequency of bowel movements is reduced or when the stools are hardened, requiring excessive effort during bowel movement.
This condition occurs due to several factors that are mainly associated with inadequate intake of fibers and water and the non-performance of physical activity, with the appearance of some symptoms such as swelling and stitches in the belly, due to the accumulation of feces and production of intestinal gases.
What to do: The treatment for constipation consists of changing habits, such as increasing the intake of foods rich in fiber and drinking an adequate amount of water, on average 2 liters per day. One should also maintain discipline regarding the evacuation schedule, not restrain the will, as this worsens the stool consistency and causes a progressive loss of the evacuation reflex.
If constipation occurs very frequently and bowel habits are never regular, it is recommended to seek assistance from a family doctor or gastroenterologist to better investigate the causes and indicate laxative medications, for example, to facilitate stool exit.
See more ways to combat constipation in the following video:
3. Appendicitis
Appendicitis is a disease that occurs because of inflammation of the appendix, which is a small organ located at the tip of the large intestine. This inflammatory disease occurs because of obstruction of the appendix with remnants of feces and causes symptoms such as stitches in the belly, more specifically in the lower part of the right side, vomiting, fever, loss of appetite and general malaise.
When symptoms appear it is recommended to seek medical attention quickly, because of the risk of the appendix rupture and contaminate the other organs of the abdomen with bacteria, causing suppurative appendicitis. To confirm the diagnosis of appendicitis, the doctor may recommend exams such as ultrasound, blood count and type I urine.
What to do: After confirming the diagnosis, treatment consists of performing surgery to remove the appendix and after the surgical procedure, the doctor may prescribe analgesic drugs to relieve pain and antibiotics to prevent the onset of other infections. Find out more about how the appendix removal surgery is done.
4. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome is an intestinal disorder that is characterized by changes in bowel habits, and the person may have periods with diarrhea interspersed with constipation. This disorder causes symptoms such as urge to evacuate, elimination of mucus through the rectum and abdominal discomfort, swelling, distension and a twinge in the belly.
These symptoms tend to present gradually, and a person who has irritable bowel syndrome does not always present all of these symptoms. The causes of this syndrome have not been well defined, but the appearance may be linked to the hypersensitivity of the intestine to certain foods.
The diagnosis is made by a gastroenterologist through the person's clinical history, but additional tests may be requested to exclude the existence of other diseases.
What to do: for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, the gastroenterologist may prescribe fiber-based medications to regulate bowel function and microbiota, antispasmodics to relieve pain, and medications to help reduce swelling, bloating and flatulence, like the anti-flaky ones. It is also important to follow up with a nutritionist to define a more appropriate diet.
5. Urinary infection
Urinary tract infection occurs when the urinary tract is contaminated by bacteria, the most common being Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus saprophyticus, or fungi, mainly of the genus Candida sp. Women are more susceptible to this type of infection because the urethra is shorter and consequently it is easier for microorganisms to reach the site and cause infection.
Symptoms of urinary tract infection can be burning and stinging pain in the belly when urinating and if the infection reaches the kidneys, it can cause pain in the lower back. The diagnosis of this type of infection is usually made by a general practitioner, gynecologist or urologist through blood and urine tests.
What to do: Treatment for urinary tract infection is based on relieving pain and eliminating bacteria from the urinary tract using antibiotics, such as trimethoprim and ciprofloxacin. Some natural remedies can be used as complementary options, such as wild cranberry juice.
Here's a video with tips on what to eat to cure and prevent urinary tract infection:
6. Gallbladder stone
The gallbladder stone, also known as cholelithiasis, is a condition that occurs when stones are formed, called calculi, inside the gallbladder, an organ that helps in the digestion of fat. Symptoms arise when a stone obstructs the bile duct, leading to nausea, vomiting and a sharp pain in the belly.
The formation of gallstones begins when the bile becomes overloaded with fat from the liver and the diagnosis of this condition must be made by a general practitioner or gastroenterologist through examinations, such as abdominal ultrasound.
What to do: The treatment for gall bladder consists mainly of surgery to remove the stones and the use of antibiotics to prevent the appearance of generalized infections in the body.
Some home remedies can be used in the complementary treatment of gall bladder, such as burdock and pocket tea, as they help to reduce gall bladder inflammation. Check out other home remedies for gallstones.
7. Menstrual cramps, pregnancy or ovulation
Menstrual cramps occur because of spasms of the uterus during menstruation and lead to pain in the prickly belly area. However, at the beginning of pregnancy the woman may feel a sensation in the belly or stinging, which happen due to hormonal changes and changes in the structure of the uterus, however if together with the sting any bleeding occurs it is important to seek a gynecologist immediately.
In addition, during ovulation, also called the fertile period, follicles are released to be fertilized by the sperm and during this process the woman may feel punctured at the bottom of the belly. Here's how to know when the fertile period is.
What to do: if menstrual cramps last for more than 72 hours and are very severe, it is recommended to consult a gynecologist to investigate whether the person has any disease, such as endometriosis, for example. In the case of stitches in the belly during pregnancy, it is important to observe if bleeding occurs, because if it does, it is necessary to seek medical attention quickly. And as for the stitches in the belly during the fertile period, they disappear when changing the phase of the woman's cycle.
When to go to the doctor
It is recommended to seek medical attention as soon as possible when other symptoms appear in addition to the stitches in the belly, such as:
- Fever, intestinal bleeding, vomiting for more than 24 hours;
These signs can indicate other health problems and to confirm the diagnosis it is necessary to consult a general practitioner or gastroenterologist quickly.
