stomach health

Stitches in the Stomach of I.Randi

Generality

Stomach pangs are a symptom that can occur following causes of different origins and nature.

In fact, these pangs can derive both from pathological causes and from causes that are not pathological in nature. Despite this, in the event that sudden pangs in the stomach occur and the phenomenon tends to repeat several times throughout the day, it is always good to ask the advice of your doctor who, after a careful visit, will be able to process a diagnosis advising the patient on any therapies to be followed or on any behavioral measures to be taken.

What are

What are Stomach Tacks?

As mentioned, stomach pangs are a symptom that can be attributed to various causes.

More in detail, pangs are short-lived but stinging pains which - in the specific case of the subject of the article - manifest themselves in the stomach.

Sometimes, we also talk about cramps in the stomach, meaning transient cramps that involve the upper part of the abdomen corresponding to the area where the stomach is present.

Given the difficulty for the patient in being able to distinguish the exact cause triggering the pain in question, especially when this - although of short duration - tends to manifest itself insistently, the importance of the consultation with its own doctor is reiterated.

However, the main causes that can give rise to pangs in the stomach and the treatments that can be put into practice to try to solve them are briefly described below.

Taking Drugs

Stomach pains caused by taking some types of drugs

In some cases, stomach pangs can be caused by taking certain types of drugs . In such situations, pangs can be perceived as "classic" pungent pain, or appear in a cramped form.

Generally, the pangs in the stomach caused by medication are a side effect of them. In some cases, however, taking a certain type of drug may exacerbate some already present gastric disorders or diseases; this is the case, for example, of taking NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) in the presence of stomach acid, gastroesophageal reflux and / or related diseases.

Treatment

In such situations, the main treatment of stomach pains is to stop taking the drug which is considered responsible for the side effect in question. However, before stopping any therapy, it is always good to seek the advice of your doctor.

Naturally, in the presence of gastric disorders and pathologies, it will be necessary to undertake adequate therapy that will be established by the doctor after a thorough medical examination and, possibly, following the execution of specific examinations (for example, gastroscopy).

Food allergies and intolerances

Stomach pangs induced by food allergies and intolerances

Other possible causes potentially responsible for the appearance of pangs in the stomach are food intolerances and food allergies . When a particular food is ingested in relation to which one is intolerant or allergic, in fact, we are witnessing the appearance of a series of symptoms which also include pangs in the stomach.

Generally, the pangs due to food allergies are accompanied by more severe symptoms (including shock or circulatory collapse) than the symptoms that usually characterize food intolerance.

Treatment

Stomach pangs caused by food intolerances and allergies can only be prevented by avoiding the foods responsible for these disorders.

Clearly, when the symptoms of intolerance or allergy occur, it is necessary to contact the medical help immediately. Once the patient has recovered, he will have to undergo the tests and specific tests necessary to identify the food responsible for the allergic reaction or intolerance.

However, in the presence of food intolerance and allergies, stomach pangs are perhaps one of the least severe symptoms that can occur, although they can be particularly intense.

injuries

Stomach pains caused by gastric injuries

Stomach pains can indicate the presence of gastric lesions . These injuries can be caused by traumas, or they could also be the consequence of excessive acid secretion and / or alteration of the natural defense mechanisms of which the gastric mucosa is equipped to protect itself from the acidity of digestive fluids. A typical example of gastric lesions caused by these factors is given by the gastric ulcer .

Treatment

The therapy to be undertaken for the treatment of gastric mucosal lesions must be established by the doctor and is generally related to their extent and severity.

However, generally, the treatment of gastric ulcer involves the use of gastroprotective drugs .

Anxiety and Stress

Anxious States and Stress as Possible Causes of Stomach Rashes

When pangs in the stomach occur in the absence of physical causes, they could be traced to causes of a psychological nature . In fact, in some cases, pangs in the stomach may represent the somatization of conditions of high stress and anxiety.

In such a situation, stinging pain can occur at any time of the day, before or after meals, both when you are in a situation that generates tension and when you are in an apparently peaceful situation.

Treatment

In this case, the treatment of stomach pangs depends substantially on the removal of stress and states of anxiety. To do this, it is necessary - whenever possible - to lighten the pressures responsible for the aforementioned disorders that may have arisen in the workplace, at school or at home; at the same time, it can be useful to dedicate oneself to a hobby or to resort to specific relaxation techniques .

Naturally, in the case in which anxiety and stress evolve towards pathological conditions, it is necessary to turn to specialist doctors .

Hunger

Stomach spikes caused by hunger

Stomach pains can sometimes be the consequence of a hunger stimulus ignored for too long. In these cases, in fact, it is possible to experience the so-called "hunger pangs" that can occur in the form of sharp pains in the stomach or the entire abdomen, often of the cramp-like type.

Stings of this type tend to be particularly pronounced in individuals suffering from gastritis or peptic ulcer.

Treatment

In this case, the origin of the pangs in the stomach is not pathological but derives from an ignored primary need. To solve the problem, it is usually sufficient to ingest food . In case of gastritis and ulcer, it is good to be careful not to take food and drinks that can irritate the gastric mucosa and / or able to increase acid secretion of the stomach.

Digestive problems

Stomach pains caused by Digestive Problems

Stomach pains can also occur following an excessively abundant meal that can lead to digestive difficulties or indigestion .

Treatment

In case the stomach pangs are caused by digestive problems, the best treatment is prevention . It consists in avoiding meals that are too abundant and rich in foods that are difficult to digest (for example, fried foods, fatty meats, etc.), in chewing slowly and in not exceeding the consumption of alcohol and carbonated drinks. Furthermore, it is always good to eat your meals calmly and calmly.

If indigestion occurs sporadically, it could be useful to take antacid drugs, useful to neutralize the excessive acidic environment that has been created in the stomach and, consequently, useful in promoting digestive processes. Of course, the use of these drugs is allowed only if there are no contraindications to their use; in case of doubt, therefore, it is necessary to contact your doctor.

Associated symptoms

What Symptoms Can Occur in Association with Stomach Tacks?

If in many cases the pangs in the stomach appear as the only symptom, in others they could be associated with other manifestations. Of course, the symptoms that can occur in association with stomach pangs vary depending on the cause.

However, the symptoms that most frequently go with stomach pangs are nausea, poor appetite or lack of appetite.

If the symptom under the article is caused by food allergies or intolerances, vomiting, abdominal bloating, diarrhea, blisters on the tongue and hives may also occur.

When to worry

When to worry and when to go to the doctor?

When the stomach pangs appear occasionally and transiently, generally, one should not worry, even more so if one is able to identify the cause (for example, indigestion or digestive difficulties, feeling of hunger too long neglected, periods of strong stress, etc.).

Otherwise, if the pangs in the stomach appear apparently without any reason, they are frequent and numerous or occur at regular intervals (for example, when taking certain foods or drugs), it is always good to consult your doctor. The consultation of the doctor is required, a fortiori, when the pangs are also associated with other symptoms, be they mild or severe.

In such situations, in fact, pangs in the stomach could indicate the presence of basic pathological conditions that require careful diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Please note

The ones described above are just some of the main and most widespread causes capable of giving rise to the symptom of dense stomach. To know the cause of this type of pain, consultation with your doctor remains essential.