- Main causes of stomach pain
- 1. Stomach pain and gas
- 2. Stomach pain and diarrhea
- 3. Stomach pain after eating
- 4. Stomach pain and vomiting
- 5. Strong and constant stomach pain
- 6. Stomach pain after endoscopy
- 7. Stomach pain from taking anti-inflammatories
- 8. Stomach pain in pregnancy
- What to do to relieve stomach pain
- Warning signs to go to the doctor
Stomach pain is a very common symptom, which can have several causes, such as gastritis or excessive gas, and is often accompanied by other symptoms, such as vomiting or heartburn, for example. Stomach pain can also be caused by drinking too much coffee, alcoholic beverages, spicy foods, stress, anxiety and nervousness.
When the pain persists, the gastroenterologist should be consulted as it may be necessary to take drugs that inhibit acid production, such as omeprazole or esomeprazole, antiemetic medicines, such as metoclopramide or anti-spasmodics, such as Buscopan. See more remedies for gastritis.
Main causes of stomach pain
Other common causes for stomach pain are:
1. Stomach pain and gas
These are an important sign of poor digestion, which can be linked to complications such as gastritis, for example. In this case, when the bolus reaches the stomach, it encounters a hostile environment, which may even contain the H. Pylori bacteria, making digestion difficult and for this reason the food can remain for hours and hours in the stomach causing uncomfortable belching. See how the diagnosis of H. pylori is made.
2. Stomach pain and diarrhea
They can be a symptom of gastroenteritis, and it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids, such as water, homemade whey or tea and try to stimulate your appetite with light foods, such as cornstarch, white rice or fruit, for example. However, if other symptoms appear, such as fever, chills or frequent vomiting, it is recommended to go to the emergency room.
3. Stomach pain after eating
Gastritis, ulcers or reflux are suspected, which also causes the sensation of heartburn after eating or when lying down, and you should consult a gastroenterologist, raise the head of the bed and avoid fatty foods, such as fried foods, steak and sausages, or that increase stomach acidity, such as cow's milk, peppers, tomatoes and corn, for example. Check out the symptoms and the diagnosis is made in: How to identify the Symptoms of Gastritis.
4. Stomach pain and vomiting
It usually indicates gastritis or ulcers, but it can also occur in other situations such as food poisoning and, therefore, it is important to go to the emergency room in case of recurrent vomiting.
5. Strong and constant stomach pain
It can be a sign of problems in other organs, such as pancreatitis or cholecystitis and, therefore, one should go to the emergency room, especially when the pain is disabling.
6. Stomach pain after endoscopy
It is normal, because during the exam, the doctor places a tube in the digestive tube that can bother the throat and stomach a little, causing discomfort for a few hours.
But, any stomach pain that lasts more than 48 hours must be evaluated by a gastroenterologist to start the appropriate treatment, but to relieve the symptoms, one can take antacid or gastric protectors, for example.
7. Stomach pain from taking anti-inflammatories
After taking anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen, stomach pain is common because this type of medication compromises the protection of the stomach, leaving its walls more exposed to the action of acids present in digestion.
To prevent stomach pain, an acid production inhibitor, such as Omeprazole or an antacid such as Pepsamar, can be taken to reduce pain and discomfort. These remedies should be taken on an empty stomach to have the best effect. In addition, it is important not to take the anti-inflammatory on an empty stomach, it is better to take it after meals or eat a fruit or yogurt, for example.
8. Stomach pain in pregnancy
Stomach pain in pregnancy is a very common symptom in pregnancy caused by the presence of stomach gases and in this case it is recommended that the pregnant woman avoid wearing too tight clothes or eating too much at meals. To relieve stomach pain in pregnancy, a good tip is to take lemon balm tea with fennel, for example.
If the stomach pain does not subside after these precautions, it is important to inform the obstetrician so that he can assess the possibility of other causes and indicate the ingestion of some medication, if necessary.
What to do to relieve stomach pain
What you can do to relieve stomach pain is:
- Loosen your clothes and rest sitting or leaning in a peaceful environment; Have a tea of holy espinheira, which is a great medicinal plant to treat stomach problems; Eat a pear or a cooked apple; Eat a piece of raw potato because this is a natural antacid, without contraindications; Place a bag of warm water in the stomach area to relieve pain; Drink small sips of cold water, to hydrate and facilitate digestion.
The treatment for stomach pain should also include a light diet, based on salads, fruits and fruit juices, such as watermelon, melon or papaya, avoiding eating fatty foods and alcoholic beverages. Find out more solutions to relieve stomach pain in What to do for stomach pain and see what home remedies you can use by clicking here.
However, when stomach pain becomes persistent over the years and if the pain is associated with weight loss, vomiting or bloody stools, you should see a doctor because these symptoms can indicate stomach cancer. Find out more about this at: Stomach cancer.
Watch this video to learn what food should look like in cases of gastritis.
Warning signs to go to the doctor
It is advisable to go to the gastroenterologist when:
- Stomach pain is strong and persistent; If you are vomiting with blood; If the stool is black and has a very intense smell.
These signs may indicate bleeding within the digestive system that needs to be investigated and properly treated. Here's how you can help the doctor understand your pain: What to say to the doctor at the consultation.
