Abdominal pain refers to discomfort in the space between the pelvis and chest. Typically, it doesn’t last long and is commonly due to a small upset or a gut infection.
Stomach ache can be accompanied by the following symptoms:
- vomiting;
- nausea;
- constipation;
- diarrhea;
- excessive bowel movements;
- excessive intestinal gas.
Causes
Common causes of stomach pain include:
- diverticulitis – it occurs when small pouches in the intestinal wall become inflamed and infected;
- lactose intolerance – according to the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, between 30 and 50 million Americans are lactose intolerant;
- a perforated stomach ulcer – a bleeding in the lining of your stomach or duodenum can also cause stomach ache;
- irritable bowel syndrome – IBS is a condition where the muscle of the bowel wall tends to spasm;
- obesity – carrying unnecessary pounds can leave you more susceptible to developing gallstones, which can cause severe upper stomach pains in the right abdomen.
Other causes of abdominal pain include:
- food poisoning;
- indigestion;
- intestinal gas;
- constipation;
- endometriosis (a painful condition in which endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus);
- stomach virus;
- gastroesophageal reflux disease;
- menstrual cramps;
- stomach, pancreatic, or liver cancer;
- pelvic inflammatory disease;
- appendicitis;
- urinary tract infection;
- ulcerative colitis;
- Crohn’s disease (one of a group of diseases called inflammatory bowel disease);
- kidney stones;
- hernia.
Stomach Ulcer
Stomach ulcers, also referred as gastric or peptic ulcers, are open sores which develop on the lining of the stomach.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 25 million people in the United States will suffer from a stomach ulcer at some point during their lifetime.
Most ulcers are caused by an infection with H. pylori bacteria and can be treated in approximately 14 days with antibiotics.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of stomach ulcers include:
- diarrhea;
- abdominal pain and burning sensations;
- fatigue;
- weakness;
- dehydration;
- feeling gassy;
- acid reflux;
- heartburn;
- trouble sleeping due to pain;
- changes in body weight;
- loss of appetite;
- darker stools;
- vomiting;
- nausea;
- bleeding when vomiting.
Note – most stomach ulcers are associated with abdominal discomfort 60 minutes after meals. This abdominal discomfort can be described as burning, gnawing, cramp-like, or heartburn.
Gastritis
It is an irritation, inflammation, or erosion of the lining of the stomach. It can be either:
- acute, with severe attacks lasting a day or two;
- chronic, when gastritis happens slowly and gradually over time. According to statistics, worldwide, over fifty percent of people may have chronic gastritis at the present moment.
The following can irritate the lining of the stomach and increase the risk of developing chronic gastritis:
- bile flowing into the stomach;
- long-term use of certain medications, like – ibuprofen, aspirin, or other painkillers classed as NSAIDs;
- intense stress which affects the immune system (stress gastritis generally occurs in the intensive care unit);
- a weakened immune system due to a variety of causes;
- kidney failure;
- diabetes;
- the presence of Helicobacter pylori bacteria – it is thought to be present in 50% of the global population;
- excessive alcoholic beverages intake;
- a regular diet that consists mostly of junk food.
Symptoms
The symptoms of gastritis may include:
- a feeling of fullness in the upper abdomen after eating;
- vomiting;
- vomiting large amounts of blood;
- severe stomach pain;
- chest pain;
- shortness of breath;
- feeling faint;
- nausea.
Note
Reducing stomach acid helps to relieve the symptoms of the condition and promotes healing. Therefore, certain foods can increase stomach acid and make the symptoms of this condition significantly worse and should be avoided.
These foods include:
- processed foods, such as hamburgers, hot dogs, burritos, pizza, milkshakes, onion rings, french fries, potato chips, donuts, or mayonnaise;
- caffeine – this stimulant can be found in some teas, chocolate, coffee, energy drinks, and some supplements (especially weight loss supplements);
- alcohol;
- spicy or hot foods;
- very acidic foods.
Spiritual Meaning of Stomach Pain
Usually, stomach problems occur because of the person’s inability to assimilate life experiences and to accept learned lessons. Therefore, the soul of that person cannot evolve properly.
Also, people with stomach problems do not accept their own doubts and anxiety, showing aggression and anger that they often suppress.
Spiritual Meaning of Stomach Ulcer
The affected person lives with rancor and the inner pain heals very slowly.
Spiritual Meaning of Gastritis
The person in question may have a strong desire, but for now, she can not afford it, or maybe someone is bothering her at the moment.
When To Get Medical Advice?
See your healthcare provider if you are worried about your symptoms, but especially when:
- you have a persistent change in toilet habits;
- you bleed from your bottom;
- you have unusual vaginal discharge;
- you experience unexpected weight loss;
- the pain won’t go away or keeps returning;
- the pain gets much worse in a short space of time.
References https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/036192308090307X https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC497773/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/peptic-ulcer https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4673514/