Changes in the intestine are common causes of stomach pain, which can be caused by mild causes and do not cause much discomfort, but they can also have serious causes and that, if not treated quickly, can endanger a person’s life.
Some of the most common causes are constipation, infections, food intolerance, inflammation or even tumors, which can cause pain and other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or stool disturbances.Identify what stomach pain can be and confirm whether it is or not.it’s because of a change in the gut, it’s very important to seek care from the doctor, who will be able to do clinical evaluations and order tests to confirm the cause.
- Although only a medical evaluation can accurately identify the nature of bowel pain.
- Here we have summarized some of the main causes.
- Including:.
Also known as constipation or constipation, constipation occurs when there are fewer than 3 bowel movements per week, causing dry, hardened stools that have more difficulty being removed, as well as incomplete emptying of the intestine, bloating and abdominal discomfort.
Constipation is very common, and is often more common in people who are not used to using the bathroom systematically, containing the desire to defecate, in addition to the low-fiber and water diet, the use of certain remedies such as antidepressants, anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids or psychotropic drugs, and diseases such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, Parkinson’s disease or other neurological diseases For example.
What to do: In addition to changes in eating habits, by increasing the amount of fiber and water in the diet, it is recommended to consult a doctor to guide the need to use laxatives or treatment for the cause that caused this symptom.
In addition, it’s important to exercise frequently and defecate whenever you feel like it.Learn more about fighting constipation.
It occurs when there are 4 or more bowel movements a day, with changes in the consistency and content of the stool, being the most common cause of gastroenteritis, caused by viral or bacterial infections, which causes abdominal pain due to increased peristalsis and contractions in the intestine., in addition to nausea, vomiting and, in some cases, fever.
Other causes of diarrhea and abdominal pain also include intestinal worms, diseases that cause changes in food absorption, such as coeliac disease, food intolerance, medication use or irritable bowel, for example.Learn more about the causes of diarrhea.
What to do: Treatment of diarrhea depends on the cause and is guided by the doctor, who may include the use of antibiotics to treat infections, antispasmodics to reduce colic, hydration and care with food.
Also known as irritable bowel syndrome, it is a functional bowel disorder that causes abdominal pain that improves after defecation, as well as changes in the frequency, consistency and appearance of stool, alternating between periods of diarrhea and constipation, although it is the cause of this syndrome.it is not fully understood, it is known to worsen during periods of stress and anxiety.
What to do: In the face of suspected irritable bowel syndrome it is necessary to seek the help of the gastroenterologist, who can make a clinical assessment and request tests that can rule out other causes and confirm the disease.
It is also recommended to make changes in the diet, avoiding foods that can cause gas and diarrhea and increasing fiber consumption, for example. Syndrome-related problems, such as depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. Learn about other treatment options for irritable bowel syndrome.
Intolerance to certain foods, including the most common foods such as lactose, gluten, yeast, alcohol or fructose, for example, are important causes of symptoms such as stomach pain, diarrhea, discomfort and abdominal swelling.
Intolerance is usually caused by a lack of the enzyme responsible for digesting food, symptoms usually appear or always worsen after ingesting the food responsible.
What to do: If food intolerance is suspected follow-up with the gastroenterologist and nutritionist, it is generally recommended to avoid food, however, in some cases it is possible to replenish the missing enzyme.
Inflammatory bowel disease is characterized by Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, and although the exact causes of these diseases are unknown, they are known to be related to autoimmune and genetic problems.
In inflammatory bowel diseases, inflammation affects the intestinal wall and can also occur anywhere in the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus, causing symptoms such as abdominal pain, rectum pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, weakness, nausea, vomiting, bleeding, fever and anemia.
What to do: Follow-up with the gastroenterologist, who may indicate medicines that help reduce inflammation, such as sulfasalazine, in some cases surgery may also be necessary.
Bowel obstruction is a medical emergency and can occur from situations such as the vorlvel, which is the twisting of the intestine, a strangled hernia, or tumors in the intestine, for example.
Obstruction can occur in both the small intestine and the large intestine and results in a buildup of gases, stool and fluids, triggering severe inflammation in the intestine, severe abdominal cramps, bloating, loss of appetite and vomiting.
What to do: In the presence of signs and symptoms indicative of intestinal obstruction, it is necessary to go to the emergency room, where the doctor will perform tests, such as the x-ray of the abdomen, in addition to the clinical assessment, to confirm or not this change.
Bowel infarction, also known as intestinal ischemia, occurs when there is an obstruction of blood flow to the blood vessels that supply these organs.It causes severe abdominal pain, vomiting and fever, especially after eating, and should be treated quickly to reduce the health risks of the affected person.
It is more common in people over the age of 60 and more common in men than women. It can affect both the small intestine and the colon.
What to do: After detecting this change, the doctor may indicate that surgery should be performed to remove the necrotic parts of the intestine or to help unblock the blood vessels.
Diverticulitis is inflammation and infection of the diverticulum, which are small folds or poups that appear on the walls of the large intestine and cause pain in the abdomen, changes in bowel rhythm, vomiting, fever and chills.
What to do: Treatment is done with antibiotics, pain relievers, hydration and dietary changes, it is only in certain cases, in which complications occur, that surgery may be indicated, more information about what it is and how to treat diverticulitis.
It is an inflammation of the appendix, which is a small organ located on the right side of the abdomen, which has a direct connection to the intestine, this inflammation is severe and can be characterized by pain in the periombilcal region, that is, the return of the navel, which increases and extends to the lower right region of the abdomen in less than 24 hours.In addition to pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever may be 38 degrees Celsius or higher.Pain usually increases when walking or coughing.
What to do: The main way to treat appendicitis is surgery, and antibiotics and hydration are also indicated.
Bowel cancer is one of the causes of abdominal pain, although it is less common, bowel cancer is suspected when, in addition to changes in bowel rhythm, there is weight loss, abdominal pain or bleeding in the stool, for example.
What to do: After performing tests that identify the tumor, treatment is guided by the oncologist and includes chemotherapy, radiation therapy and/or surgery.See more details on bowel cancer treatment.