What causes stomach pain?
Sep 30, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Abdominal pain may be associated with various factors such as improper diet, cold exposure to the abdomen, gastritis, cholecystitis, and appendicitis. After identifying the specific cause, targeted treatment should be carried out under a doctor's guidance. It is important to maintain healthy lifestyle and dietary habits, as well as pay attention to keeping the abdomen warm, in order to effectively prevent abdominal pain and other discomforts.
Abdominal pain, commonly referred to as stomachache, may be related to factors such as improper diet, cold exposure to the abdomen, gastritis, cholecystitis, and appendicitis. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly. Specific analysis is as follows:
1. Improper Diet
Consuming excessively greasy, spicy, or cold foods may cause gastrointestinal discomfort, leading to abdominal pain. It is important to adjust one's diet by avoiding irritants, drinking plenty of water, and eating easily digestible foods to support gastrointestinal health.
2. Cold Exposure to the Abdomen
When the abdomen is exposed to cold, it may cause constriction of blood vessels in the gastrointestinal tract, disrupting normal digestive function and resulting in abdominal pain. Attention should be paid to keeping warm, especially around the abdomen. Applying a hot water bottle to the abdomen or drinking warm water may help relieve symptoms and restore normal gastrointestinal function.
3. Gastritis
Inflammation of the gastric mucosa caused by irritation or infection can stimulate nerve endings in the stomach, leading to abdominal pain. This may be accompanied by symptoms such as acid reflux, nausea, belching, and loss of appetite. Patients may take medications such as hydrotalcite chewable tablets, sucralfate oral suspension, or teprenone capsules under medical guidance.
4. Cholecystitis
Cholecystitis is primarily caused by bile stasis or congenital abnormalities of the gallbladder, which may lead to inflammatory reactions in the gallbladder wall, stimulating surrounding nerves and tissues and causing abdominal pain. Symptoms may also include right upper quadrant pain and jaundice. Under medical supervision, patients may undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy—using laparoscopic instruments and imaging systems, the gallbladder is removed through small incisions in the abdominal wall with the assistance of carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum.
5. Appendicitis
Appendicitis is mainly caused by bacterial infection, which leads to inflammation of the appendix, stimulating nearby nerve endings and causing severe abdominal pain. This may be accompanied by symptoms such as vomiting, fever, and tenderness in the right lower abdomen. Patients require appendectomy under medical supervision—removing the inflamed or damaged appendix to relieve pain and prevent potential complications.
Maintaining healthy lifestyle and dietary habits, along with proper abdominal warmth, is essential for effectively preventing abdominal pain and other discomforts.
