Intermittent stomach pains
Most people are familiar with intermittent stomach pains . It is not uncommon for children to come into contact with stomach pain. The symptoms come in different forms, such as intermittent or spasmodic.
Description
Intermittent stomach pains are not a disease in their own right, but rather indicate another disease that is present. In most cases, the symptoms appear for a limited, relatively short period of time, but it is also possible that the pain lasts longer. Stomach pain is often accompanied by other symptoms. These include, above all , vomiting , nausea and belching .
Many people localize the discomfort in the middle of the upper abdomen , but the pain does not necessarily have to come from the stomach. It cannot be ruled out that other surrounding organs or the heart are behind the pain, which is why an accurate diagnosis may be crucial. Most of the time, the causes are harmless, but a doctor should be consulted if the pain does not subside over a long period of time.
causes
Stomach pain has many causes, but most of them are harmless. They often occur, for example, after eating if the meal was too large or greasy. If these symptoms are only rarely noticeable, they merely indicate that the food was difficult to digest. The exact foods that were consumed are also important. Cabbage and legumes, for example, have flatulent properties that can trigger intermittent stomach pains.
Gastrointestinal flu caused by viruses is also often to blame, during which the body tries to expel the toxins from the gastrointestinal tract through vomiting or diarrhea . In this process, intermittent stomach pains also appear. In addition to physical causes, psychological backgrounds can lead to stomach pain. Stress in particular plays a role here, as a result of which many people also tend to eat too hastily and do not break up the food sufficiently through their teeth.
Intermittent occurrence also indicates an irritable stomach or inflammation of the gastric mucosa. Ulcers, intestinal inflammation or a food allergy are other possible factors that should be investigated through a professional diagnosis.
Diseases
When to the doctor?
If intermittent stomach pains are present, a doctor should be consulted as soon as they last for several days or increase in intensity. There is a risk of a serious condition that needs to be evaluated and treated. Since the pathogens can spread further, a doctor should be consulted if the affected region enlarges and the pain moves further into the abdomen. If other symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea or circulatory disorders occur, a doctor should be consulted.
Intermittent stomach pains can be an indication of psychological problems. Anxiety , sadness, stress or overload are present. A visit to the doctor is necessary as soon as the person concerned feels that they are dependent on emotional support. If, on the other hand, he sees himself able to cope with the cause of the pain himself, he usually develops his own helpful strategies. The symptoms often disappear afterwards.
Recurring intermittent stomach pains should be examined more closely by a doctor. There is a risk that an ulcer or tumor has formed, which will continue to grow and continue to deteriorate. If the stomach pain occurs after eating food, there is an intolerance. A doctor should be consulted to determine the substances that are responsible for the pain.
diagnosis and course
A physical examination is preceded by a detailed discussion with the doctor treating you. Patients should describe their symptoms in detail here. Duration, type of pain and approximate localization are important first clues. If there are other symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea, doctors can usually rule out some causes. The physical examination consists first of palpating and patting the abdomen.
An ultrasound image can be used to detect movements in the intestine and the condition of surrounding organs. If harmless causes such as the flu have been ruled out, a gastroscopy may be necessary. This is especially the case if the intermittent stomach pain has been going on for a long time. The course of the symptoms varies greatly and ultimately depends on the cause.
However, the consumption of cigarettes , alcohol , greasy , poorly digestible food and stress favor the pain and can intensify it. If viruses or bacteria are present, they need an approximate incubation period of 4 to 48 hours before the first symptoms appear. Loss of appetite , weakness and tiredness are usually followed by fever , vomiting and diarrhea. Gastrointestinal flu is often the cause of the symptoms.
complications
In most cases, intermittent stomach pain is not a serious medical condition. These often appear with infections or the consumption of bad products and also disappear within a few hours or a few days. Stomach pain often appears as a symptom of a gastrointestinal infection and does not need to be treated directly. Here the stomach has to be spared and the person concerned has to drink a lot of fluids. In some cases, the infection can develop into an inflammation or an ulcer . If the stomach pain lasts for several days and is very severe, you should definitely consult a doctor.
If the stomach pain is not treated directly, this can lead to the infection spreading to other regions of the body. The stomach pain can also spread to the lower abdomen. It is not uncommon for them to be accompanied by vomiting or diarrhea. Such stomach pains often occur when the patient suffers from psychological problems and stress. In these cases, a psychologist must be consulted. If the pain keeps coming back, there is a risk of a tumour. In this case it is necessary to consult a doctor. Stomach pain can also occur with certain foods. These must be avoided in order not to damage the stomach.
treatment and therapy
Once the diagnosis has been made, different treatment methods can be considered. Gastrointestinal flu rarely requires further therapy. Quiet, rest, warmth and teas are usually sufficient. Anise , caraway , fennel or chamomile teas are particularly suitable . Depending on the extent to which the flu is accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea, those affected should pay attention to their fluid balance. Electrolytes can be balanced by adding some sugar and salt to the water.
If the pain is too severe, painkillers can provide relief. These measures also apply to stomach problems caused by stress or spoiled food. Even with an inflammation of the gastric mucosa, patience is required at first. Most of the time, the symptoms go away on their own. If this is not the case, doctors often resort to medication that inhibits the production of stomach acid .
If the infection is caused by bacteria, antibiotics will help . The treatment of an irritable stomach depends on the individual symptoms. Some medications relieve heartburn , while others counteract bloating and flatulence. In most cases, the inhibition of gastric acid production is also the focus. But over-the-counter remedies can also provide initial relief in the event of unexpected flare-ups.
outlook and prognosis
There is no uniform prognosis for intermittent stomach pain due to the different causes of the disease. The course and recovery of the symptoms must be assessed individually. If there is a food or drug intolerance, a comprehensive freedom from symptoms can be achieved within a short time. The triggering substance is determined using an allergy test. Subsequent intake of the substance, even in small amounts, must be permanently avoided.
If the pain is triggered by stress, emotional overload or physical exertion, it is often sufficient if a restructuring takes place. In addition to rest, relaxation techniques and rest, learning coping mechanisms is helpful for successfully overcoming the event. If the techniques are successfully implemented, the stomach pain can heal quickly and permanently.
The prognosis for the flu or a bacterial infection is good. With medication, full recovery can be achieved within a few days or weeks. The stronger the immune system is, the faster the healing takes place. In the case of an ulcer or tumor, a surgical procedure to remove the altered tissue often helps. The way of healing is to be classified as problematic in the case of a psychosomatic underlying illness. It often takes years from the time the diagnosis is made, the insight into the illness to the utilization of an effective therapy.
prevention
Intermittent stomach pains can occur for a variety of reasons. Most are preventable to some extent. Prevention includes a healthy diet with little fat and meat. Instead, sufficient fresh fruit and vegetables should be consumed and, above all, eaten slowly during the meal. In order to support the stomach in its work, it makes sense to break up the food in the mouth as much as possible. In addition, regular exercise and avoiding stress as much as possible has a positive effect on general health and the stomach.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.