7 belly pains you should never ignore
SOMETIMES a stomach ache is just that — a stomach ache, but when the pain in your belly is accompanied by other symptoms such as a fever, fatigue, intense cramps and bleeding in the stool, then you know there is really cause for concern.
To be on the safe side, it’s best never to ignore that burning sensation in your tummy. If needs be, prepare yourself to go to your physician for a thorough check-up. There could be a simple explanation for the problem of course, but then again, the cause for your discomfort could be more serious than you think.
“Everybody thinks belly pain is gas pain until it gets really bad and then they present at the hospital too late,” said consultant general, laparoscopic and obesity surgeon Dr Alfred Dawes.
“A lot of people tend to downplay belly pain,” he added.
We suggest that you visit your doctor if you are experiencing any of the following stomach problems.
1. A sharp pain in your upper middle abdomen that moves under the right side where the rib cage is. This could be an indication that you have gallstones. These are small lumps that are developed in the gallbladder — the sac connected to the liver and the small intestine — and are caused by hard deposits in the stomach. The pain often worsens after eating and is sometimes accompanied by vomiting and fever. “It’s a gripping pain that goes and comes and then the nature of the pain changes to a steady, constant pain,” explained Dr Dawes. If the pain doesn’t go away, you should visit your doctor who, with the help of a CT scan or ultrasound, will be able to diagnose your problem better. Sometimes surgery is needed to remove the gallstones.
2. A feeling of soreness or a gnawing, burning pain in the middle or upper stomach between meals.
A burning pain in your stomach that worsens when you are hungry could be due to ulcers. Ulcers form in the tummy or upper part of the small intestines and are believed to be caused by a particular bacterial infection in the stomach due to the use of certain medications such as aspirin, and smoking. Apart from stomach pain, those with ulcers usually experience vomiting, weight loss and could have black or dark stool.
3. Dull pain around your navel that intensifies as it moves to your lower right abdomen. This sort of pain is usually the first indication that you might have appendicitis. This is caused when the appendix is inflamed due to a blockage. This blockage might be caused by stool, an infection, or cancer, among other things, and might require surgery. Other symptoms include a loss of appetite, abdominal swelling, and the inability to pass gas. It is important that you visit a doctor if you notice these symptoms, because a ruptured appendix could leak infected fluid into the body.
4. A burning sensation below or behind the breastbone after a large meal.
Heartburn or acid reflux is the regurgitation of gastric acid and creates an uncomfortably warm sensation in the stomach. “The reason we call it heartburn, is because the heart is right next to the gullet (oesophagus) at that point,” Dr Dawes explained. The pain usually starts in the chest area before making its way to the neck, throat and jaw. Overeating, or the consumption of greasy, fatty foods are the most common reasons for heartburn. The use of antacids can help to soothe the pain.
5. Cramping, pain in the lower part of your abdomen.
This, Dr Dawes said, could be caused by intestinal obstruction or blockage, especially if you’ve had previous surgeries. These are also symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, a common disorder that affects the colon and can be managed by practising a healthy lifestyle and minimising stress. Other symptoms of this disorder are nausea, diarrhoea, bloating and constipation. A doctor should be able to prescribe medication to treat this problem.
6. Pain and discomfort in the digestive tract accompanied by diarrhoea and abdominal cramps.
This could be an indication of an auto-immune disorder of the small intestine called celiac disease and is triggered by the consumption of the protein gluten. This protein is commonly found in bread, pasta, pizza and other foods containing wheat, rye or barley. Celiac disease usually results in damage to the small intestine and vitamin deficiencies, due to malabsorption. The best way to treat this disease is to monitor your diet properly .
7. Belly pain or cramps. These are symptoms of several health problems including colitis, lactose intolerance, constipation, stomach flu, food allergies, endometriosis, urinary tract infection, hernia, pelvic inflammatory disease, gas, kidney stones or food poisoning. If accompanied by fever, inability to pass stool, fever, and vomiting blood, it is imperative that you see a doctor.
