Abdominal pain is one of the most common and most ignored complaints. They come to the doctors with it, but much more often they prefer to take a painkiller, endure it, wait it out. Discomfort and other unpleasant sensations in the abdomen may indeed not be a dangerous sign and may even be a manifestation of the norm. But in many cases, pain indicates a serious illness. Then wasted time and improper self-medication can aggravate the problem and lead to complications.
To understand how dangerous the pain is and why it appeared, you need to take into account many factors. Where, how, how long it hurts, what other symptoms there are - all this will help you understand the situation and make the right decision - treat it at home, go to the doctor, or even call emergency help. We compiled this short guide to possible causes of abdominal pain with the help of different doctors - a gastroenterologist, gynecologist, urologist, therapist and cardiologist. Listen to your feelings to try to figure out the situation yourself. And for more specific help, we invite you to the diagnostic and treatment center. Our specialists will correctly diagnose any pathology and prescribe competent measures for treatment and rapid improvement of well-being.
What can hurt your stomach?
The abdomen is a place where a large number of internal organs are located. These are organs such as:
- Stomach.
- Liver.
- Pancreas.
- Spleen.
- Gallbladder.
- Intestines.
- The organs of the reproductive system in men and women are the uterus and its appendages, the prostate gland.
- Bladder and others.
In addition, complaints of abdominal pain can arise from circulatory disorders in the abdominal cavity, pathologies of the spine and nervous system, and even from diseases in the organs adjacent to the abdominal cavity. Such radiating pain can be caused by cardiac and pulmonary pathologies. This is explained by the connection of the abdominal organs with the central nervous system. Because of this, it is difficult to accurately diagnose only from the patient’s words and after an external examination with palpation of the abdomen. It is advisable to remember and tell the doctor in detail your feelings - where the pain began, how other features in your well-being and condition changed.
Types of palpation of the larynx and neck
Superficial palpation
This type of study is focused on obtaining objective data on the consistency and turgor of the skin in the neck area, which can be changed as a result of the development of a pathological process, for example, a malignant tumor. The patient is in an upright position.
The area is palpated in two positions - with the head in the normal position and slightly tilted back. The results make it possible to assess the nature of the relief of the skin covering the larynx and neighboring areas.
- hyoid bone;
- thyroid cartilage;
- cricoid cartilage;
- breastbone;
- prominence of the hyoid bone;
- the depression between the hyoid bone and the thyroid cartilage;
- Adam's apple;
- the cavity between the cricoid and thyroid cartilages;
- arch of cricoid cartilage;
- laryngeal prominence;
- depression above the breastbone.
How exactly does your stomach hurt?
Stomach pain can happen in different ways, and the nature of the pain can tell a lot about the cause. She may be:
- Sharp, stabbing – it occurs abruptly and is immediately quite strong.
- Chronic – bothers you for some time, may go away and recur after a while.
- Aching – may resemble a feeling of hunger or heaviness.
- Cutting, burning - acute attack.
- Tonic – with tension and uncontrolled muscle contractions, spasms.
Pain may be the only symptom or accompanied by others: nausea, flatulence, stool disorders, frequent urination, vaginal discharge, fever. Such symptoms complement the picture of the disease and allow you to more accurately determine the problem.
Based on where it hurts, you can at least roughly understand which organ to examine. So:
- Pain in the upper abdomen most likely indicates gastrointestinal diseases. Less often – about developing myocardial infarction.
- Pain in the left side of the abdomen mainly indicates problems with the pancreas or spleen.
- Pain in the right side of the abdomen - attention to the liver and gall bladder.
- Pain below – pathologies of the genitourinary system and intestines.
What can be discovered during a digital rectal examination?
Digital rectal examination of the prostate is performed to diagnose a wide range of prostate diseases. With the help of this examination, its size, shape, tone, presence or absence of tumors, and pain are determined.
By conducting a digital examination of the prostate, the doctor can determine the presence of inflammatory processes and diagnose the presence of a tumor. Often, additional tests are prescribed to confirm the diagnosis and complete the picture of the disease; ultrasound examination can also be used, but palpation of the prostate is the main way to establish the correct diagnosis.
Causes of abdominal pain
Let's look at the main options for what and why your stomach hurts.
Stomach
Pathologies appear in it due to poor nutrition, infections, injuries and other factors. The main diseases of the stomach that can manifest as pain:
- Gastritis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the entire organ or part of it. Discomfort often occurs after eating, there is a characteristic burning sensation, a feeling of overeating (or vice versa, hunger).
- Ulcers - form on the affected mucosa, the symptoms are similar to gastritis.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD or simply reflux) is heartburn due to a weakening of the valve between the stomach and the esophagus, which causes stomach contents to reflux into it.
Intestines
Main diseases:
- Ulcerative colitis is an inflammation of the lining of the colon or rectum. With this disease, intoxication of the body occurs; blood may be present in the stool.
- Enteritis is an inflammation of the small intestine similar to food poisoning.
- Crohn's disease is inflammation of one or more parts of the intestine, which can lead to the development of intestinal obstruction.
- Dysbacteriosis, inflammatory bowel syndrome - disturbances of the normal intestinal microflora. Digestion is disrupted, flatulence and stool disorders occur.
- Prolonged constipation, intestinal obstruction.
Pancreas
The most common:
- Pancreatitis is an inflammation in which the production of enzymes for digesting fats or proteins is reduced.
- Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary pathology of the pancreas.
Hernias
The following types of hernias are found: umbilical, diaphragmatic, inguinal. Appear due to heavy physical exertion and improper functioning of the intestines. Symptoms of diaphragmatic hernia can resemble gastritis, causing heartburn and belching. A hernia can be determined by external signs or ultrasound.
Gallbladder
Problems with it are characterized by pain in the abdomen on the right. Main diseases of the bile duct and its ducts:
- Cholecystitis is a sharp pain, often after a fatty meal. May be accompanied by vomiting with bile and increased gas formation in the intestines.
- Cholangitis - with this inflammation of the gallbladder ducts, sharp pain occurs in the right side of the abdomen.
- Cholelithiasis – cramping attacks occur due to the movement of stones in the bile duct and its ducts.
Gynecological diseases
Abdominal pain in women (especially in its lower part) can be a sign of pathologies of the uterus and its appendages or... the norm. Soreness can be caused by physiological reasons (for example, before menstruation). You don’t have to worry if the discomfort is minor, has always been there and goes away on its own after a day or two. In a situation where the stomach begins to ache during previously painless periods, the pain is very strong and can hardly be relieved with painkillers, the nature of the bleeding has changed (its duration, abundance, color of the blood) - it is worth getting examined by a gynecologist. This clinical picture can occur with endometriosis, inflammation in the uterus and other situations.
The main gynecological diseases in which the stomach may hurt:
- Uterine fibroids are a benign tumor in the uterus that causes aching, chronic abdominal pain.
- Inflammations – adnexitis, salpingitis, oophoritis and others. May be accompanied by copious or thick vaginal discharge, fever, and general weakness.
- Proliferation of the endometrium of the uterus (adenomyosis, endometriosis), polyps. The pain often intensifies after or during sexual intercourse.
- Polycystic cysts, ovarian cysts, their ruptures – pain occurs on the left side of the abdomen in women (or on the right side, depending on which side the ovary is damaged). The pain from a cyst is aching, chronic, and when it ruptures it is acute. In this case, internal bleeding occurs and its symptoms are decreased blood pressure, dizziness, weakness, and nausea.
- An ectopic pregnancy in which the embryo implants in the fallopian tube and eventually ruptures it. The symptoms are similar to an ovarian cyst, only everything develops more rapidly.
Pregnant women can also experience abdominal pain. During a normal pregnancy, a slight feeling of heaviness is quite normal. The uterus increases in size and gradually compresses neighboring organs. Signs of danger include sharp and unexpected pain and bleeding. Its causes may be placental abruption, miscarriage and other situations. Consultation with a gynecologist is necessary immediately.
Kidneys
Main diseases:
- Inflammation of one or both kidneys, indicated by pain in the abdomen on the left (or right) as well as in the lumbar region, and a rise in temperature.
- Urolithiasis - acute colic from the movement of stones.
Other diseases
It can be:
- Appendicitis is a nagging pain that appears at the top or in the umbilical region, and ends with sharp pain in the abdomen.
- Neurosis is a condition in which the stomach often “twists”.
- Damage to the muscles of the abdominal wall, lumbar spine.
- Neoplasms of various types that form in the abdominal area.
- Myocardial infarction - an attack can begin with intense pain in the upper, middle part of the abdomen and shortness of breath.
- Testicular torsion in men - pain from the groin radiates to the abdominal area.
Indications
Indications for palpation of the larynx and neck:
- injuries (fractures, bruises) and stenosis of the larynx;
- malignant tumors;
- laryngeal tonsillitis (enlarged regional lymph nodes can be felt);
- laryngitis, including phlegmonous (severe pain is observed when pressing on the affected area);
- foreign bodies of the pharynx and esophagus;
- retropharyngeal abscess;
- pathologies of the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism, etc.).
At the same time, palpation as an independent and only diagnostic method is used relatively rarely; it is supplemented by laryngoscopy, pharyngoscopy and other studies.
When you need medical help
You need to seek emergency help if:
- The pain is very strong and does not subside after taking the pills for an hour.
- During pregnancy.
- The stomach has become hard, the muscles on it are tense.
- The attack is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, bleeding from the vagina, rectum, and ureter.
- The temperature rose.
You should not neglect contacting a doctor even with less severe symptoms. An examination using ultrasound, MRI, and laboratory tests will help you understand why your stomach is bothering you. The list of diagnostic methods and measures for treatment will differ in many ways for different diseases. You can start by consulting a therapist or immediately contact a specialist if you suspect a specific disease.
Children's and Children's Center "Kutuzovsky" is a multidisciplinary clinic where doctors of various specializations are ready to see you seven days a week. Sign up online for a convenient time and come to the address: st. Davydkovskaya, 5. We will find the cause of disturbing symptoms and how to help in any situation.
The contents of this article have been checked and confirmed for compliance with medical standards by general practitioner Yulia Vladimirovna Butskikh.
When should you not palpate the prostate gland?
Palpation of the prostate gland is a very common examination. Naturally, like any medical procedure, this examination may have certain special contraindications. These will be determined by your doctor. Therefore, if you are undergoing a digital rectal examination of the prostate gland, you must tell your doctor about any problems you have before the procedure. Such, for example, as damage, inflammatory processes or diseases of the rectum, or anus, and other disorders. The doctor will assess the existing risks and make the right decision about the relevance and safety of this procedure. In this case, palpation of the prostate gland will not cause harm to health.
Palpation of the prostate gland: technique
A digital prostate examination is a procedure that is performed by a qualified doctor.
The technique for performing the procedure is as follows.
- Palpation of the prostate gland is usually carried out in a knee-elbow position, but the technique can be performed in a lying or standing position, taking into account the patient’s condition. An experienced doctor at our clinic will delicately explain to you the procedure and ensure maximum comfort during its implementation.
- During the examination, you may experience some unpleasant sensations, such as the urge to urinate, pain in the presence of an inflammatory process, and sometimes weakness and dizziness.
- During the examination, the doctor will examine not only the prostate, but also the patient’s rectum. Since the technique of digital examination of the prostate gland provides a comprehensive study of the patient’s condition. In this case, the doctor uses special gels or ointments for a more comfortable examination.
If you follow all the tips and recommendations, the examination can be quite comfortable. This will help you maintain your health, and if a disease is detected, our doctors will take care of effective treatment with the most modern drugs. We will make every effort to ensure your quick recovery and return to a normal, fulfilling life. The goal of our clinic is to preserve your health and respect the patient.
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