My stomach hurts from time to time. What's going on?

In our daily life, stomachache is a common thing. Sometimes we will have stomachache after eating too much or eating cold food. This situation is not uncommon. If we want to judge the disease when we have stomach pain, we also need to consider the location of the pain, which can be divided into upper abdominal pain, lower abdominal pain, low back pain or pain in no fixed location. Pain in different locations can reflect different problems.

Abdominal pain, commonly known as stomach pain, is an experience that almost everyone has had. However, what causes abdominal pain? Is abdominal pain serious? These are big questions in many people's minds! Abdominal pain has many causes, which can be divided into upper abdominal pain, lower abdominal pain, bilateral lumbar pain and abdominal pain at random points according to the location.

1. Upper abdominal pain: abdominal pain above the navel

Abdominal pain caused by gastroenteritis: If you have an upset stomach, such as food poisoning, you will start to have abdominal cramps a few hours after a meal, followed by nausea and vomiting, which is called "gastroenteritis". Some people also have diarrhea after the abdominal pain, which does not stop, which is called "small intestinal colitis." The former mainly affects the stomach, while the latter affects the large intestine. Both are caused by toxins produced by rotten food or bacteria, which stimulate inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Except for a few who need intravenous drips, they will usually recover within a few days.

Stomachache: Abdominal pain caused by inflammation or ulcer of the stomach or duodenum. The pain point is usually above the navel. Duodenal ulcer is caused by excessive secretion of gastric acid. The pain will improve after eating something, but will return when you are hungry. This is a typical duodenal ulcer patient. In addition, a small number of cases of true stomach pain are caused by stomach cancer. It is necessary to undergo a gastroscopy to find out the exact cause so as not to delay the disease.

Gallstones: Gallstones fall out and get stuck in the gallbladder duct, causing the gallbladder to contract and produce severe abdominal pain. The pain point is usually in the upper abdomen, which is often mistaken for stomach pain. The pain usually lasts half an hour to an hour after a meal. Gallstones are often complicated by cholecystitis. The pain will become continuous pain. The pain point is in the right upper abdomen and is often accompanied by obvious tenderness.

Pancreatic inflammation or pancreatic cancer: Pancreatitis is common in patients with gallstones, and patients with high triglycerides have thick blood. The digestive juices secreted by the pancreas are not easy to flow into the small intestine, causing pancreatic juice reflux and also leading to pancreatic inflammation. Abdominal pain caused by pancreatitis usually worsens slowly and can be easily mistaken for stomach pain.

Pancreatic cancer can also cause symptoms similar to stomach pain, especially cancer that grows in the body or tail of the pancreas, which often causes stomach or even back pain. Many people think it is a bone spur, and only realize that something is wrong when the condition worsens.

Advanced liver cancer: In addition to the surface capsule, the liver has no pain nerves, so liver cancer usually does not cause pain, unless the liver cancer is very large or in the advanced stage, the capsule is stretched, which causes pain; or although the liver cancer is not large, but grows on the surface, there will be a feeling of stomach pain in the early stages. The pain point is usually in the upper abdomen and is persistent. In Taiwan, another common cause of abdominal pain is liver cancer rupture, which usually occurs in the right upper abdomen or right lower chest. Some people even fall to the ground in pain.

2. Lower abdominal pain: pain below the navel

Appendicitis: Appendicitis may initially cause upper abdominal or stomach pain, which may later move to the right lower abdomen, where the appendix is ​​located. In addition, there will be a slight fever and elevated white blood cell count, which is usually not difficult to diagnose, but it is often difficult to diagnose in the elderly.

Ectopic pregnancy rupture: Women suddenly experience lower abdominal pain, break out in cold sweats, and even faint. Severe symptoms of ectopic pregnancy rupture often occur in patients with fallopian tube adhesions.

Inflammation of the bladder or stones: When stones are stuck in the urethra, it will cause severe pain in the bladder, urethral pain when urinating, and even hematuria. If the bladder is infected by bacteria, there will be pain in the same area, but the pain is milder and is usually accompanied by a burning sensation when urinating. A urine test may show an increase in white blood cells.

Menstrual pain: Women may experience varying degrees of lower abdominal pain during their menstrual period. This is normal, but if the pain is severe or is accompanied by lower body or other symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately.

3. Waist pain: pain on both sides of the waist

Kidney stones: Kidney stones can fall and get stuck in the ureter, causing severe pain. It usually occurs on both sides of the waist, sometimes radiating downward to the bladder, and sometimes blood is found in the urine. This pain is also a kind of colic, which is very severe and usually can only be relieved after an injection.

4. Pain in no specific area

Colorectal cancer: Colorectal cancer causes changes in bowel habits and may even cause bloody stools and bloating. Severe cases can lead to intestinal obstruction. Patients often feel abdominal pain, but the location of the pain is unclear, which often delays diagnosis.

Intestinal obstruction: Patients who have undergone abdominal surgery often experience intestinal adhesions, which can cause intestinal obstruction and lead to abdominal pain. The location of the pain is uncertain, usually with waves of colic and severe bloating, which will improve with belching or passing gas.