Stomach PainStomach pain is one of the most difficult pains to deal with. It is often diffuse and located in many non-specific locations around the abdomen. It is often associated with symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The fact that there are so many presentations for abdominal pain and associating symptoms can make it hard to bare. It is also the hardest pain by far to diagnose based on the patients story. The way that the sensory pain nerves are set up in the abdomen makes sensation of pain in the abdomen imprecise. This is different in contrast to pain from a cut on the skin in which you, as the patient, know exactly where the pain is located. With abdominal pain it is almost always located midline in a vast majority of cases, until it irritates the right structures such as the parietal peritoneum, (outer lining of the space containing your abdominal organs). Once this area is irritated the physician can have a better chance at deciphering the problem causing these classic abdominal disease symptoms. This can often take time and thus that is why it is important to go to a doctor immediately for consultation, and further laboratory testing if it is warranted. It is this laboratory testing that will save you time while you experience this pain, and it is this laboratory testing that can get you out of pain as soon as possible. That is why it is crucial to see a physician.
Another problem with diagnosing abdominal pain symptoms is that there are a multitude of organs in your abdomen. You have intestines, colon, mesentery, duodenum, stomach, lymph nodes, arteries, veins, and other associated structures that could all be causing problems, in an area that is no innervated for pain as precisely as your skin. Call now if you have more question about your abdominal pain. |
Non-emergencies for stomach pain |
Indigestion (Dyspepsia): This is a very broad and general term for stomach discomfort. This typically presents as belching, nausea, heart burn, and a feeling of stomach fullness. Dyspepsia is often disconcerting but it is often not an emergency. For patients who have a presentation to the clinic, urgent care, or hospital for dyspepsia it is almost always a diagnosis of exclusion. This means that the physician could not find an emergency cause for your pain. Even though it is uncomfortable for you, the patient, it is not a life threatening condition. This condition can be avoided by not eating foods that cause symptoms of dyspepsia.
Stomach Flu (Gastroenteritis): This is a condition that is typically infectious in origin and is accompanied by stomach pain, diarrhea, and sometimes vomiting. Gastroenteritis can be caused by eating foods infected with a specific bacteria. A bacteria called Campylobacter jejuni is the most common cause for gastroenteritis and is often found in the mouths of dogs, and on raw, uncooked foods. Salmonella is another frequent offender found in raw and uncooked foods as well. There are also viral causes of the stomach flu that often cause problems on cruise ships. This is often caused by Noroviruses that can be transmitted from fecal to oral transmission. While the stomach pain may be severe, and the diarrhea may cause discomfort, the hospital treatment usually entails fluid replacement. That means that as a patient you can drink a lot of water in order to hydrate yourself while this disease runs its course. In very rare instances the rate of fluid loss from vomiting or diarrhea could out pace the rate of water consumption by the patient. If you notice that you have symptoms of severe fluid loss such as dizziness while standing up, dry mouth, and change in mental status, contact your doctor immediately. Also in severe cases a patient could experience bloody diarrhea as a result of infection. In theses cases see a doctor immediately. Call if you have more questions about stomach pain. |
Stomach Pain Emergencies |
Peptic Ulcer (Stomach Ulcer): This is a condition that can be caused by alcohol, over the counter pain medication use, infection, or cancer. This condition is an emergency because it is a hole in your stomach. An ulcer is an open wound in your stomach often times caused by the diseases mentioned above. Even though it may be a small hole the body may react in ways that could have life threatening consequences. A stomach ulcer can cause symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and severe abdominal pain. In some cases a patient may also have bloody vomit, or what we physicians call coffee ground vomit. This can lead to iron deficiency anemia, blood loss and ultimately death. If you have bloody vomit then it is best to call 911 immediately.
Colon Cancer: This is a disease present in the older population. It is the result of wear and tear on the DNA of the cells of the body over time. The limits place on the replication and build-up of cells is lost causing cells to grown in an abnormal and uncontrolled fashion. With colon cancer you will frequently have elder patients over the age of 65 who experience changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea and constipation in alternation. They can also experience bloody stools or dark colored stools depending on where the cancer is located. If you notice any of these symptoms along with signs of abdominal pain then do not hesitate to contact your physician immediately. |