From mild ache to sharp cramps, stomach pain has many sources. It may be related to digestion, injury or disease and it could affect any part of the belly; some conditions require medical treatment immediately.
Doctors use symptoms and duration to pinpoint what might be causing it, with your location and pattern of pain also providing valuable clues as to its source.
Causes
Stomach pain is a frequent complaint that may originate in different ways. From mild to severe pain that fluctuates or persists over time, its source and intensity of manifestation may provide key information that allows doctors to accurately diagnose a variety of potential issues.
If the pain is localized to one area of your belly (localized pain), this is usually an indicator of a disease or injury in that organ and your doctor might order tests to ascertain its source.
Example: Stomach ulcers -- open sores on the lining of the stomach or small intestine -- are typically caused by bacteria, while irritable bowel syndrome, cancer medications and long-term use of aspirin or painkillers may also trigger them. Abdominal pain may also indicate more serious conditions like gallstones, appendicitis and kidney stones forming; pregnancy issues like an ectopic pregnancy or cysts could also present with symptoms like abdominal discomfort or pain in their own right; heart attacks or pneumonia and even skin conditions or diseases within these organs as possible signs.
Diagnosis
Your symptoms can give your doctor clues as to the source of your discomfort, as well as helping decide on appropriate tests. Your location (upper or lower belly), type (dull, sharp, crampy, achy or constant), severity and frequency will all play an important part. Your physician will ask about your medical history as well as perform a physical exam where they'll press various areas of your stomach for tenderness or swelling.
If you are female, your doctor will conduct either a pelvic exam or digital rectal exam. The latter uses gloved fingers inserted into the rectum for diagnosis of irritation, inflammation or obstruction such as hernias. Your blood, urine and stool tests might be done as well to detect infections, kidney stones or anything else; while using a stethoscope your doctor can listen in on how your pait dard ka herbal ilaj.
Treatment
No matter if it's dull or sharp, constant or intermittent, stomach pain is uncomfortable for anyone and should not be ignored. Where it originates may offer clues as to its source, while how the discomfort feels (e.g. burning or stabbing) may also provide useful diagnostic data.
Mild stomach discomfort often resolves on its own or with over-the-counter medication, while more serious discomfort needs to be assessed by a healthcare provider, particularly if it suddenly worsens despite treatment efforts.
Hernias and tumors can cause intense stomach pain in the upper GI tract. Although life-threatening, other sources of abdominal discomfort, including peptic ulcers, gallbladder disease and bowel problems can also be serious causes for abdominal distress; either short term (acute), lasting for hours or days at a time or chronic with more prolonged symptoms that worsen over time - for which diagnostic x-rays or other tests may be required to accurately detect.
Prevention
If your stomach pain lasts more than a few days or suddenly and severely increases, seeing a doctor is highly recommended. But the severity of pain doesn't always reflect its seriousness -- some life-threatening diseases present only with very mild symptoms.
When visiting your doctor, be sure to provide as much detail as possible about the severity and location of your pain. Is it dull or sharp; constant or intermittent; does it affect all or just one area of the belly?
If your pain is widespread, it could be an indicator of digestive issues like gas or indigestion; if localized it could indicate gallbladder or stomach problems. Also inform your physician if you've recently altered you’re eating or taken new medications; certain foods and drugs can trigger painful symptoms; including dairy if lactose intolerant or gluten for those living with medicine for pait dard.