Heartburn is one of the most common stomach aches. They are characterized by pain in the sternum which can rise to the throat. These acid refluxes are due to a dysfunction of the sphincter. Normally, the contraction of this muscle helps prevent the contents of the stomach from flowing back into the esophagus. Heartburn is caused by a relaxation of the sphincter causing gastric fluid to rise .
This type of stomach ache occurs after meals and can be worse when lying down . You may also have a sour or bitter taste in your mouth associated with acid reflux (GERD) . The causes of this pain can include a diet that is too rich, stress, pregnancy, a side effect linked to a medication, among others.
Acute stomach pain results from cramps. These cause the muscles around the stomach to contract. These pains are very severe and can have various origins. They occur in the so-called epigastric region and are often linked to eating meals.
When food is contaminated by bacteria or a virus, its ingestion causes a digestive disorder. In the case of diarrhea, the excessive acceleration of transit causes liquid stools which are accompanied by violent stomach cramps . During food poisoning, stomach cramps are associated with diarrhea and vomiting to expel the pathogen. Finally, in cases of gastroenteritis, inflammation of the lining of the stomach and intestine causes cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. Other causes can be sought such as pinworm infection , gastric ulcer (rarer) or transient gastritis (acute inflammation of the stomach lining).
Stomach cramps can also be caused by irritable bowel syndrome . Also called functional colopathy , this chronic pathology is said to be “functional”, that is to say that no abnormality of the affected organs can be detected using traditional examinations. The dysfunction is mechanical and affects the small intestine and the colon . The latter experience an acceleration or slowdown of transit causing various symptoms that are sometimes very bothersome, such as stomach cramps, bloating and diarrhea.
Please note: cramps can occur if you ingest a spicy or acidic food. These can cause irritation to the lining of the stomach and intestines.
Lower stomach pain
If you have pain in your lower abdomen, there could be several reasons and this may differ if you are a man or a woman. This can be due to appendicitis , peritonitis, cystitis , menstrual pain in women or prostatitis in men.
Stomach ache due to Covid-19
Stomach ache is a symptom of covid-19, but it is not the most common. It can manifest itself as diffuse pain in the stomach and lower abdomen and is accompanied by other digestive disorders (diarrhea, vomiting), but also by more common symptoms such as cough , fever, sore throat . If you experience symptoms suggestive of covid-19 , you must put in place barrier gestures and carry out a PCR test .
Stomach ache during menstruation
In women, painful periods are a very common cause of discomfort. They can in fact cause more or less intense stomach aches .
This pain is located in the lower abdomen and can be very severe, which can become a real handicap. If you cannot relieve your stomach pain with treatments like paracetamol , you should talk to your doctor. In addition, if these pains repeat themselves with each cycle, it can help you find a longer-term solution to relieve them.
Good to know : endometriosis , a disease that affects the female genital tract, is sometimes responsible for pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation. About 10% of women suffer from endometriosis .
Stomach aches during pregnancy
Pregnant women may experience cramps and pain in their lower abdomen during their pregnancy . This is due to the modification of the uterus and in particular the muscles and ligaments which stretch. If you are pregnant, your stomach aches are probably benign, but these pains should be monitored as they may be a sign of an abnormality.
Furthermore, be aware that bleeding outside of your period and stomach ache can be a symptom of a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy . You must immediately consult.
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