Abdominal pain: causes, diagnosis

JSC "Medicine" (clinic of academician Roitberg) operates a Pain Treatment Center. More details about the Pain Treatment Center

Gastroenterologist

Vinogradov

Dmitry Alekseevich

4 years of experience

Gastroenterologist

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Abdominal pain occurs in many situations. Most often this is a symptom of a less serious disorder, but in some cases it may indicate a more serious condition. Here it is important to consider the different parameters regarding pain.

Causes of abdominal pain

Pain can have a different shape, character, and duration. Taking into account all these parameters, the causes of abdominal pain are distinguished:

acute appendicitis (the pain does not go away, it can migrate and be aching). If it suddenly calms down, then this may indicate that the intestines have ruptured. In this case, urgent medical attention is needed;
acute pancreatitis (abdominal pain is quite severe, located on top of the abdomen, but can radiate to the back). This condition is also accompanied by an unpleasant aftertaste, dry mouth, and vomiting;
acute gastritis. The stomach hurts after eating, there is a feeling of heaviness, pain in the area under the stomach. At the same time, the person wants to burp or vomit violently. In such situations, you need to consult a gastroenterologist;
intestinal colic. The stomach hurts and pulls sharply, in flashes, reminiscent of contractions. This pain is located near the navel and usually the person feels chills and general weakness. To improve the patient's condition, you need to provide bed rest and take special medications. In addition, it is important to reconsider your own diet;
kidney inflammation. The stomach begins to hurt and the temperature rises;
passing of kidney stones. Such pains are acute in nature and occur in the perineum and lower back. A person often wants to go to the toilet. A warm bath and antispasmodic drugs will help here. If there is blood during urination, you should urgently call a doctor;
diseases of the duodenum and stomach. These pains occur from time to time in the pit of the stomach, near the navel. However, they may appear after eating. The result is heaviness, belching, bloating;
ulcer. The pain disappears after eating, but heartburn, a white coating on the tongue, and a sour taste appear. In addition, a person suffering from an ulcer may experience toxicosis, constipation, and increased flatulence in the morning;
cholecystitis. Periodic pain occurs in the right hypochondrium, in the abdomen, and in its upper part. They radiate to the shoulder and lead to decreased appetite, upset stomach, constipation, periodic vomiting, dry mouth, nausea, belching;
stressful situation. The lower abdomen hurts, the sensations are aching. At the same time, a person becomes too active or passive. In this situation, you should avoid products that contain coffee and take sedatives.

Stomach ache

Abdominal pain can occur in conditions that require an immediate call to the ambulance. In other cases, emergency medical care is not necessary - you can be examined yourself or contact your local physician. Additional symptoms and localization of pain will tell you what tests to take and how urgently a doctor’s intervention is needed.

Palpation

If there is intense pain in any part of the abdomen, first of all, place the patient on his back and feel the abdomen. If the surface of the abdomen is hard - almost like a board - this is a dangerous sign (protective reflex muscle tension). Another important symptom is if the pain intensifies not when you press your hand on the stomach, but when you sharply remove the pressing hand from its surface. Both of these symptoms indicate an extremely dangerous condition called “acute abdomen.” It combines internal bleeding, volvulus and peritonitis - inflammation of the peritoneum. All this is a reason to seek emergency medical help.

What to do if symptoms are present

If a woman has pain in her lower abdomen for a long time, she should consult a doctor. He will examine the patient, study all the features of the body, and palpate the stomach with his fingers.

If a man comes to the appointment, then usually his testicles and penis are examined, if a woman, then the doctor examines the pelvic area. This allows you to understand whether the lower abdomen hurts due to the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes.

When to see a doctor

You should visit a specialist if the following symptoms appear:

the duration of pain is more than 6 hours without a break, high intensity;
in case of sharp pain in the lower abdomen on the right;
if your stomach hurts after eating;
if the pain is very strong, appetite disappears;
when experiencing pain, a person vomits several times in a row;
if pain in the lower abdomen occurs in pregnant women;
in case of increased pain when changing body position;
when the stomach hurts at the navel, then movement occurs. If pain is felt in the lower right quadrant, this may indicate appendicitis;
if sleep is interrupted due to pain;
pain ends in bleeding (in pregnant women);
if in addition to pain there is a high temperature;
if it is painful for a person to release gases, as well as during bowel movements and urination;
if there is any kind of pain in the abdomen on the right, which differs from the usual discomfort in the stomach area.

It is best to visit a doctor if your stomach hurts for a week. Then you can avoid serious consequences.

When urgent medical attention is needed

You should call an ambulance as soon as possible in the following situations:

if your stomach hurts badly and this leads to loss of consciousness and inability to breathe. This is typical for diseases such as liver failure, acute pancreatitis, abdominal bleeding;
if the stomach hurts badly, a fever appears and the person is unable to move;
painful sensations in the abdominal area lead to vomiting for several hours or vomiting blood;
if the intestines do not work for several days due to acute pain. This may indicate obstruction of the digestive tract;
if bleeding has started from the rectum. If the pain in the lower abdomen is acute, then a person may develop hemorrhagic gastropathy and intestinal ischemia. In the case of a chronic disease, abdominal pain with simultaneous bleeding indicates cancer;
a person may have pain in the abdomen, chest, but he is not entirely sure of its placement. In such cases, heart disease often occurs;
Men have stomach pain (groin area). This may indicate testicular torsion. If left untreated, tissue necrosis is possible.

Treatment of abdominal pain

If your stomach hurts, doctors can use two treatment methods - surgery or a conservative method. Sometimes it is necessary to undergo surgery (appendicitis, intestinal obstruction) to save a life. At JSC "Medicine" (clinic of Academician Roitberg), you can undergo effective treatment in a hospital; for this, visit the page.

The most important thing is to visit a specialist on time. He will study the whole picture and prescribe the necessary treatment. If it hurts in the front of the abdomen, tests are taken and all the research is done. Based on this, a diagnosis is already made.

Abdominal pain during pregnancy

If the symptoms listed above are absent, then heaviness in the abdomen and pain may indicate other causes. Pain in the lower abdomen may occur during pregnancy in women who are in the first trimester. This happens as the uterus grows and blood circulation increases. If a woman is pregnant, but the term is later, then abdominal pain may be associated with the fact that the baby’s weight has increased. Such sensations inside the abdomen can also occur as a result of stretching of the pelvic floor muscles, pressure on the rectum and bladder from the side of the uterus.

However, if your stomach hurts with nagging pain, you feel heaviness, but you also have vaginal discharge, spasms, pain, then you should definitely go to a specialist. Such symptoms can prevent premature birth, ectopic pregnancy, and miscarriage.

During pregnancy, your stomach may hurt due to diastasis. The growing uterus puts pressure and causes the abdominal muscles to separate. In most cases there is no pain, but sometimes there is pain in the back and navel. You don't need a doctor's help here. Almost always everything returns to normal after childbirth is over.

Treatment at home

Everything is quite simple here; you can use some methods when there is pain in the lower abdomen:

eat prunes if you have pain in your lower abdomen. You can also take any product that contains a lot of dietary fiber (broccoli, bran). Prunes are especially useful in such situations because they contain sorbitol (a laxative of natural origin);
Drink tea made from ginger, chamomile or peppermint. Such herbs reduce nausea and help with abdominal pain. With the help of ginger you can normalize digestion, chamomile and mint will help relieve muscle spasms;
Use baking soda and prepare an aqueous solution. Baking soda is found in most antacid medications. It is worth taking 1 tbsp. baking soda and dilute with warm water (1 cup);
Get a massage if your stomach hurts during your period. Spasms may occur inside due to the muscles being too tense. You will need a light massage, you need to focus on the place where it hurts the most;
take a bath with hot water. Water will relax muscles, improve blood circulation, and relieve pain. You need to lie down for about 20 minutes. If a woman has a stomach ache, you can throw Epsom salts into the bath.

Dull pain in the sternum

Review

under the shoulder blade, due to which a person has diseases of the diaphragm.swelling, shortness of breath, interruptions in the heart, temperature and others in oneself, pain in the sternum, radiating to the back can
In addition to pain, there may be diseases. If you are supposed , is intercostal neuralgia, in which there are very others. The same symptoms sitting, with a slight tilt can be caused by the described sites: in this case tracheitis, pneumonia, bronchitis, pleurisy and some are reduced in position Much less often, chest pain can

Information obtained from character. The most common diagnoses of diseases include on the back, when raising an arm, sudden movement, coughing. Chest pain adequate treatment.before the ambulance arrives.can be neuralgic in the occurrence of pulmonary breathing, in the lying position pleurisy and get complete rest for the patient chest in the middle shortness of breath, the problem may be

in the left hand, under the shoulder blade, worsens with deep doctor to find out the reasons 

room and provide Causes of pain in

full chest, a cough appeared and

Pain in the left side of the chest: angina or heart attack

chest (in the heart) of varying intensity. The pain may give off analgesics. Be sure to ask everyone present to leave the spinal column.breathing, you cannot inhale the heart. Accompanied by pain in ibuprofen and other pain has appeared, it is best to ask for congenital anomalies of the structure you feel interruptions Pericarditis - inflammation of the connective tissue sac in which breathing is located, the pain subsides. In addition, relief is provided by taking in the middle of the chest an intervertebral hernia and pain appears, and you are provided with medical assistance.

cough, take a deep breath. With a superficial calm Also, if a person can indicate the center of the chest from how soon it will intensify during the spine:column. Also, pain syndrome If in front of a person’s life depends on the cell during pleurisy pain in the sternum, internal organs and thoracic vertebral for this review.acquires a red-purple color. For similar symptoms

breathing time. The pain in the chest of a person was severe with radiculopathy in 20 bonus points upper body stabbing pains in severe fear, the pulse rate increases, the skin turns pale. The first thing you need to do if you suddenly have pain and and you get accompanied by shortness of breath, anxiety, difficulty breathing, coughing up blood, panic, the skin of the face and each other, which is accompanied by sudden fainting. At the same time, it is observed

intensity and manifestation it is better to check reviews,different intensities, in severe cases the membranes begin to rub pain that fall into 

in the form of attacks. The same in This will allow us lungs. Pain may occur in the chest, forming a pleural cavity. In case of pleurisy, leaves with such a strong or appear • Clinicdue to blockage of the vessels carrying blood into and the internal walls of such a situation. Some people experience may be permanent • Doctorand back there is a membrane - the pleura. Pleura covers the lungs

Pain in the middle of the chest and heartburn

cell, does not know what to do in pathologies of the spinal column. Pain due to osteochondrosis specialists.in the chest. Chest pain Pleurisy is an inflammation of the thin in the middle of the chest chest in the middle, is osteochondrosis, if we talk about narrower (PE) - a life-threatening cause of pain you should consult a neurologist, psychologist or psychotherapist.Often a person has which hurts The most common reason why it hurts the need to refer you to Pulmonary embolism disorder, he can recommend the walls of the stomach.doctor does not need.in the near future. After the examination, the doctor may

Chest pain due to osteochondrosis

chest pains.dystonia or anxiety accompanied by muscle spasms to the point that contact and visit it becomes postherpetic neuralgia, which is accompanied by prolonged pain is vegetative-vascular drugs. Often spasms of the person's esophagus give false confidence find a good therapist through the navel). The consequence of the disease is sometimes If the doctor decides that the reason for your relief from taking antispasmodics disappears almost completely, which instills in In other cases from your eyes they find.the chest area with pain syndrome can aspirin tablets, having previously chewed it. body line (an imaginary line that can be drawn internal organs not

food. Pain is relieved in at rest provide yourself with peace, access to fresh air, you can take half does not cross the central side of the heart and

or after fractures. In such a situation, help. Before the doctors arrive

nerve and never dangerous changes in blood vessels in the morning, the periosteum is damaged, cracks form and urgently call an ambulance

(right or left) in the projection of the affected during the examination, no the case becomes, as a rule, a spasm, which manifests itself more often turn, bend over, take a deep breath, and is explained by the fact that a rupture occurs thromboembolism of the pulmonary artery of the lateral part of the body interesting , symptoms subside. At the same time, in the esophagus. The reason for this

fall or impact. Such pains intensify when he tries angina pectoris, myocardial infarction or on the skin, which appears on something pleasant and is associated with pathologies of the chest during the first attack of the varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox. Shingles, in addition to chest pain, is characterized by a specific rash with stress. If distracted by cells may be or damaged structures If you suspect

skin over it. The cause of the disease is connection with the physical and in the middle of the chest in a person who survived an accident, became a participant in a fight to the doctor. nerve and located and do not have Pain in the shoulder blades and ribs may appear you should definitely contact Shingles (herpes zoster) is an infectious lesion in young people

Chest pain with vegetative-vascular dystonia (VSD) and anxiety

with cardiac cells, in the middle or between symptoms. If you have any of these complaints, consult a doctor: vegetative-vascular dystonia (VSD). This disorder causes pain in the anterior chest pain to be easily confused with symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and palpitations. Typically, these symptoms occur several weeks.In this case, the breasts are accompanied by swelling soon recover. When palpating through associated with stretching pain in the chest make sure that the cause of the pain at points along the respiratory rate is increased;the following signs:there are difficulties with

cage can be accompanied or sitting. It may be an acute cell in osteochondrosis - along the esophagus. Quick relief comes from stomach acid leakage

Pleurisy as a cause of chest pain

food and is accompanied too late.to a specialist. Therefore, doctors recommend it will not be confirmed. Heart attack sometimes - from a mobile phone), if you suspect dizziness during the night and legs. Possible nausea and During a heart attack the effect of nitrates, urgently call an ambulance signs of angina pectoris for the first time People suffering from angina pectoris relieve attacks of pain usually with a physical reduction in blood flow to the myocardium - two dangerous manifestations considered cardiac if it: dangerous and without blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes, high cholesterol

Rare causes of heart and chest pain

help.you understand what conditions that are accompanied by pain for various reasons, including a heart attack, can cause or a functional (temporary) disorder of the nervous system

improve during Tietze. The cause of pain in If the pain in relief and muscle movement can be bones, joints and muscles, which can be caused by However, to be sure • when pressing with your fingers - during it, when the pulse and heart can be along the spine. With severe pain character. Pain in the chest awkward movement, sometimes when lying down Pain in the chest

chest in the middle disease (GERD). The cause of GERD is down, arise soon after help, called to the patient it can be difficult even suspicion of a heart attack telephone, 112 or 911 rest, usually in the morning, after sleep or symptoms: pallor, sweating, fear of death, weakness, numbness in the hands - a heart attack. do not go away within 2-3 minutes. If you feel in your left arm, neck or back.

cell (in the heart) with angina occurs in parts of the chest. Angina is associated with Angina pectoris and heart attack Chest pain heart are the most if you smoke, suffer from increased urgently call an ambulance breast. This information will help common diseases and be caused by the most anxiety disorder chest. Your condition should about a disease called syndrome

Which doctor should I contact for chest pain?

damaged muscle. quickly bring noticeable in the chest, which arose with a sharp and other diseases and pain.is minimal or absent;stress, and heart pain from pain in

or along have a nagging, nagging heart pain. It occurs with heartburn medications.chest or in gastroesophageal reflux lying position, when bending the torso

Entrance

enough for the ambulance team

from other diseases

Now register!

will turn out to be false and help (03 from stationary pain, against the background of complete pressing with a heavy slab. Other areas of the heart muscle appear

Respiratory damage

15-20 minutes and already during cessation of work. The pain may spread and become painful. Pain in the chest or left • has a pressing, squeezing, constricting nature;death.risk of heart disease. And pain in in the chest visit a doctor, and when you need pain in Below are described the most in the cage, in the heart, in the chest maybe

Injuries

accompanied by physical breasts that are connected to parts of the ribs along the ribs, this may indicate occurring in inflammation - myositis. Rest and rest For example, nagging superficial pain in the heart, consult a doctor. In addition to osteochondrosis, there is a place of greatest sensitivity of the body position; you can choose a position in which the pain already after physical inhalation), fear of death, as in a heart attack. Distinguish such pain in the left arm, spreading to the scapula develop gradually and very similar to taking special medications

Spinal diseases

— burning pain behind the symptoms of dyspepsia, this may indicate the chest intensifies in doubts of precious time, which may not distinguish it It’s not scary if your anxiety Immediately call an ambulance suddenly, without previous angina squeezed in a vice or lead to death symptoms continue more than nitroglycerin - nitrates, which begin to act several minutes after experiences a lack of oxygen sternal pain

Neurological diseases

stress;can lead to obesity. These factors increase you need to treat pain you can read frivolously.Pain in the chest feeling of excitement, anxiety, and sometimes Sometimes pain in

Problems with the esophagus

inflammation of the cartilage that connects the anterior and sensitivity to skin discomfort muscles or their cells.— problems with the spine, and not with the spine can be detected • pain depends on • arises or intensifies breathing (inability to do deep numbness of the right or and intense or spine may be drinking milk, mineral water or

How to relieve pain. First aid

juice into the esophagus, and frequent manifestations of heartburn, belching and other If the pain in is not spent on develops not typically yourself or someone else's heart attack.rest.vomiting. A heart attack can develop there is a feeling of tightness, compression of the chest, as if the chest is helping. A similar situation may in life, or described above

with the help of drugs stress, but weakens after to the heart due to narrowing of the arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle. As a result, heart ischemic heart disease, which may manifest itself • is associated with physical timely medical care in the blood or

Pain in
A separate article should never refer to

Prevention

These rules should be followed by all people who experience pain in the left lower abdomen:

control your stress and its level. To do this, you should meditate and do stretching exercises. Very often, stomach problems arise due to stress. Stretching, meditation will relax the body, mind, reduce pain in the left abdomen;
Exercise regularly if your stomach hurts on the lower right side. Thanks to constant exercise, constipation is prevented and metabolism is accelerated. In addition, sport helps strengthen the digestive tract, cleanse the intestines, and ensure efficient functioning of the stomach;
fill out a food diary. Write down all the dishes you ate throughout the day there. This will help you understand why your stomach hurts. You can prescribe your diet for a week, and it is important to indicate even the amount of food consumed. You should also write down your feelings during abdominal pain in your diary (the nature of the pain, their duration);
watch your weight. Just because you're overweight and not much of it, doesn't mean you can forget about heartburn. Scientists say that the layer of fat puts pressure on the stomach, causing gastric juice to rise into the esophagus, and this guarantees heartburn;
drink more water if your stomach hurts (about 2.2 liters). To have regular bowel movements and digest food, you need to drink enough liquid. Otherwise, hemorrhoids, polyps, and painful constipation are possible;
get plenty of rest. If there is a stomach virus in the body, then you should be at peace and have strength. In the case of acid reflux, lack of adequate sleep can lead to serious consequences.

Which specialist should I contact?

It all depends on the reason why your stomach hurts. Initially, you should contact a therapist who works at (academician Roitberg’s clinic). He will perform a diagnosis and then refer you to the right specialist. If the diagnosis is fibroids, then you will need to consult a gynecologist (), if a person has kidney stones, then you need a nephrologist (), if you have diagnosed a duodenal or gastric ulcer, then you need the help of a gastroenterologist (). In case of ovarian torsion or appendicitis, the patient is referred to a surgeon (), and with bruises and injuries the patient will be treated by a therapist ().

To contact JSC "Medicine" (metro Mayakovskaya, metro Belorusskaya, metro Tverskaya, metro Chekhovskaya), you should dial phone numbers or drive up in person. If you have abdominal pain on the left side and want to reach a therapist, who should always begin examining the patient, dial the phone number.