What Can Cause Sharp Stomach Pain

Signs Of Passing A Kidney Stone

David Cameron, DO, an emergency medicine physician at Medical City Lewisville and Medical City McKinney, says that you will know immediately if you are passing a kidney stone, with pain in the side of your back or abdomen.

This is the worst pain of your life that you’re experiencing, Dr. Cameron says. It’s so profound that it’s beyond a 10. You’ll be incapacitated with the pain, quite often. It’ll lead to nausea and vomiting, the pain is so severe.

What Treatment Will I Need

There is no single answer to this until you know what the cause of your pain is. See the relevant leaflet for the condition with which you have been diagnosed. Treatments for a few of the causes of LUQ pain are briefly discussed below.

• Shingles. The pain and rash settle on their own in time, but some people may be advised to take an antiviral tablet to help speed this process up.
• Kidney infections are treated with antibiotics. Mild infections can be treated with antibiotics at home. If you are very unwell you may need admission to hospital for antibiotics and fluids through a drip .
• Kidney stones. Small kidney stones pass on their own eventually, in which case you will need to drink plenty of fluids and take strong painkillers. Larger kidney stones may need one of a number of procedures done to break them up or remove them altogether.

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Pain In The Middle Of The Stomach Should Be A Concern

While mild pain in the middle of the stomach may be treated easily, it should be observed. From inflammatory bowel disease to pancreatic disorders, there are plenty of possibilities for the mid-abdominal pain to be a warning sign of a serious issue. Knowing the anatomy of the abdomen and related organs may help you identify the cause. If the pain goes away and does not return, it may have been nothing serious. But if its a pain that reoccurs or worsens, its best to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

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Problems With The Spleen

Your spleen is just behind your stomach, under and behind the lower ribs on your left. Its main functions are to filter your blood, create new blood cells and store platelets. It is also a key part of your bodys immune system. It may cause pain:

• When it becomes enlarged, which can happen in certain blood-related cancers such as leukaemias and lymphomas. This tends to be a vague ache which may gradually get worse. It can also become enlarged during infections such as glandular fever, in which case a very mild pain would be associated with tiredness and repeated bouts of a sore throat and sometimes high temperature .

• If it bursts following an injury, such as in a road traffic accident. This causes a sudden severe pain shortly after trauma to the tummy (abdomen.
• If it is damaged as part of a crisis in sickle cell disease.

What Are The Potential Complications Of Abdominal Pain

Complications of abdominal pain depend on the underlying cause, but can range from missed school or work to malnutrition to life-threatening infections. Getting an accurate diagnosis and following your treatment plan will help you avoid complications. Over time, abdominal pain can lead to serious complications including:

• due to blood loss

• Dehydration due to loss of fluids

• Organ failure

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Food Intolerance Or Allergy

You may wake up in the middle of the night with a sudden attack of abdominal pain and diarrhea. The answer to the cause may be in the food you ate before this attack.

Your digestive system may have trouble digesting and absorbing specific types of food. The undigested/unabsorbed food inside your intestine may cause intolerance symptoms .

The above condition is known as . Food intolerance is different from food allergy. Food allergy is an immune-mediated reaction to certain types of food.

Common causes of food intolerance and allergy include:

• Lactose intolerance .

• Cyclospora.
• Whipples disease.

Diarrhea can be watery, with or without blood and mucus. You may also experience fever, symptoms of malabsorption, and weight loss.

Often, chronic infections affect people with a weak immune system as with chronic diseases and immunosuppressive drugs).

Crampy Pain With Diarrhea Or Constipation

Lower “crampy” abdominal pain accompanied by bloating and diarrhea or constipation can be signs of irritable bowel syndrome , says Singh. “It’s exceptionally common and affects 15% of the U.S. population, particularly younger women, although it can happen at any age.” Symptoms of IBS can usually be controlled by managing diet, lifestyle, and stress. Medication and counseling may be needed in some cases.

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What Is Stomach Pain

Stomach pain is a very common condition . More often than not, it is a result of something the patient has eaten , caught or it may be something the patient suffers from regularly . Sometimes, it may seem sudden. If this occurs and the symptoms are persistent and severe and if they get worse, the patient may need medical attention to find out the cause. Stomach pain may be burning, sharp, aching, etc. and the problem is often related to other symptoms such as excessive gas, nausea and vomiting.

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Prognosis Of Abdominal Pain

How long your abdominal pain lasts, and whether it gets better or worse, will depend on the cause of your pain and how the pain responds to any treatments.

Many forms of abdominal pain tend to respond to self-care measures or simply get better on their own, including pain caused by constipation, food allergies or intolerances, or stomach viruses.

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What Is Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain is discomfort or other uncomfortable sensations that you feel in your belly area. Just about everybody at one time or another will get a bellyache.

Most causes of abdominal pain aren’t reasons to worry, and your doctor can easily diagnose and treat the problem. Sometimes, though, it can be a sign of a serious illness that needs medical attention.

Recurring Stomach Pain In Children

Burning in upper abdomen that worsens after eatingWhen a mixture of food and acid flows back through a weak valve at the top of the stomach , it causes heartburn and a barfy taste in the back of the throat. Heartburn typically doesnt affect young kids, but becomes more common as puberty approaches, notes John Howard, a paediatric gastroenterologist and professor at the University of Western Ontario.

For occasional attacks, try a glass of milk or an antacid like Tums, but if they occur once a week or more, consult your doctor. Avoiding big meals, cutting out carbonated drinks and not lying down immediately after eating may also help. Rather than subjecting kids to invasive tests, Howard usually prescribes a medication to suppress stomach acid productionif it works within two or three days, that proves the problem is heartburn.

Cramps in lower abdomen During a period, theres a surge of prostaglandins which can trigger uncomfortable muscle spasms or cramps in the uterus.

So how do you help your daughter cope? Cramps respond marvellously to over-the-counter ibuprofen, says Issenman, adding that the medication blocks the action of prostaglandins. Many parents also seek natural remediesfrom boosting dairy intake before a periods due to giving herbs like black haw or cramp bark.

Under six months old diarrhea extreme fussiness

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Abdominal Pain Treatment And Home Remedies

The treatment for abdominal pain depends on its cause, and may include:

• Medications to lower inflammation, prevent acid reflux, or treat ulcers or infection
• Surgery to treat a problem with an organ

Over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin and ibuprofen can irritate your stomach and worsen your pain. Donât take them unless a doctor has diagnosed the cause of your belly pain and recommends their use.

Some diet and lifestyle changes may help belly pain caused by gas and indigestion. Here are some things you can try:

• Eat smaller portions at more frequent meals
• Eat slowly

Causes Of Pain In Mid

As mentioned, numerous factors can contribute to pain in the middle of the stomach. These causes can range from indigestion, which is relatively easy to deal with, to gallstones and pancreatic disorders, which can require much more treatment and possibly even hospital stays. The following are the more common causes of pain in the mid-abdomen.

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What Causes Food Allergies And Sensitivities

Researchers are not sure what the exact cause of food allergies is. However, they do know there is a strong hereditary or genetic connection. This is because the family members of people with food allergies often also have allergies. Food allergies arise from sensitivity to chemical compounds in food, but why the body reacts to some food proteins and not to others remains a mystery.

Your body develops food allergies after being exposed to what it thinks is a harmful food protein. Remember, your body creates antibodies to anything it believes is foreign or harmful. For example, if you are born with a peanut allergy, the first time you eat peanuts , your immune system responds by creating the specific antibody IgE that reacts to the peanut protein. If you eat peanuts again, your body recognizes it and releases the IgE antibodies and other chemicals, including histamine, in an effort to expel the protein invader from your body.

Food Allergy Vs Food Intolerance

Did you know the term food allergy is widely overused? Manypeople believe they have a food allergy when they actually have a foodintolerance. The two are commonly confused because they produce some of thesame symptoms.

A food allergy causes an immune system reaction that canaffect numerous organs in the body every time a certain food is consumed,touched or inhaled potentially causing life-threatening symptoms. On theother hand, a food intolerance occurs when a certain food irritates thedigestive system because your body is unable to properly digest it.

Food intolerances are much more common than food allergies.In fact, almost everyone will experience a negative digestive response aftereating at some point in their life. Unlike allergies, intolerances are oftendose-related, meaning symptoms may not present until a large amount is eaten orthe food is eaten frequently. The most common food intolerance is an intolerance to lactose, which is found inmilk and other dairy products.

Food intolerance symptoms commonly include:

· Nausea or stomach pain

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When It’s Not An Emergency

If your stomach pain is not severe, persistent, or associated with concerning symptoms like those already discussed, it is likely to resolve on its own. Abdominal pain is usually caused by minor problems such as constipation, trapped gas, or eating something that didn’t agree with you, like a high dairy meal or a spice that you aren’t used to.

Waiting a few hours, having a bowel movement, or passing gas usually helps. There are a few things you can do so that you can be more comfortable and to help relieve your symptoms as your pain resolves:

• Limit yourself to clear liquids for a few hours.
• If you experience vomiting and/or diarrhea, stick with the BRAT diet and other mild foods until your symptoms start to subside.
• Avoid foods that are tough on the digestive system, such as food that is high in fat, fried foods, spicy foods, and drinks containing alcohol or caffeine.
• Try an over-the-counter antacid or gas-relieving product.
• Try to have a bowel movement. Often, eating raw fruit, vegetables, beans, or high-fiber cereal can help.
• Use a hot water bottle or heating pad. This may help to soothe your pain. Place the pad on your abdomen for half-hour intervals and be sure to use a towel under the pad to protect your skin.

Your symptoms may completely improve within one to two days. If they do not, call your doctor’s office for advice.

Gut Feeling: How To Know If Stomach Pain Is Serious

Abdominal pain is the single leading reason for emergency room visits in the U.S. according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, accounting for more than 12 million of the nearly 139 million annual ER visits. Most people call it stomach pain, but it’s not always a stomach problem. Your abdomen holds many other organs, too, including your intestines , pancreas, liver, gallbladder, kidneys, spleen and appendix.

So its not surprising that, just as with chest pain or a headache, it can be difficult to tell whats really going on in there when your tummy’s not feeling well. Add in other vague symptoms such as nausea and vomiting and you could have the stomach flu, food poisoning, gallstones, kidney stones or any number of other conditions.

Here are some ways to tell what the source of your pain is and when you should seek medical care.

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Lactose Intolerance And Food Allergies

Eating something youre allergic or sensitive to can cause sharp pains in your abdomen as your body struggles to digest it. Sometimes gas and indigestion symptoms will arise if you eat food that your body doesnt agree with.

Unless you have food allergies that put you at risk for anaphylaxis, abdominal pain from food allergies or sensitivities is not an emergency. You may also notice bloating or diarrhea because of eating food your body cant digest properly.

If you have a lactose allergy, speak to your healthcare provider about replacement enzyme pills that may allow you to consume dairy without discomfort.

Heart Attack Or Angina

Although heart attacks or angina can cause pressing heavy discomfort in your left chest, the symptoms can also be similar to heartburn. However, heart attack chest pain usually radiates to your left arm, neck, shoulder, and jaw.

Dr. Melissa Conrad Stöppler on MedicineNet says that heart attack symptoms also cause abdominal pain. For example, many people report that before their heart attack they felt a pain like something heavy pressing on the middle of the upper abdomen.12

To keep your heart healthy, you should make positive lifestyle changes like getting physically active and eating healthily.

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After The Visit To The Doctor

Do not expect an instant cure or immediate diagnosis. Multiple office visits and tests are often necessary to establish the diagnosis and/or to exclude serious illnesses. Doctors may start you on a medication before a firm diagnosis is made. Your response to that medication sometimes may provide your doctor with valuable clues as to the cause. Therefore, it is important for you to take the medication prescribed.

Notify your doctor if your symptoms worsen, if medications are not working, or if you think you are having side effects. Do not self-medicate without discussing it with your doctor. Even the best physician never bats 1000, so do not hesitate to openly discuss with your doctor referrals for second or third opinions if the diagnosis cannot be firmly established and the pain persists. Self-education is important, but make sure what you read comes from credible sources.

Things That May Be Causing Your Abdominal Pain

When youre going about your day and you get that all-too-familiar sensation of discomfort or pain in your abdomen, it can be incredibly disruptive. Almost everyone has experienced uncomfortable stomach aches or digestion problems at some point.

Abdominal pain is common and stems from a number of issues, but that doesnt mean abdominal pain should stop you in your tracks on a regular basis.

At Digestive Disease Consultants of Orange County, our team of gastroenterologists can identify whether the cause of your abdominal pain is serious and develop a treatment plan that relieves your symptoms.

Discover 10 of the most common causes of abdominal pain, and when you should see a gastroenterologist for your symptoms.

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When In Doubt About Your Abdominal Symptoms Physicians Say Its Best To Call Your Doctor Or Head To The Er

The egg salad didn’t taste quite right, but you were hungry. Or maybe your craving for cheesecake overrode the punishment you knew your lactose intolerance would inflict. You expect stomach distress in situations like these, but other times, abdominal pain can come out of nowhere. Sometimes it’s severe enough or lasts for so long that you know it’s not simply a matter of eating something that didn’t agree with you.

Digestive system issues account for 51 million visits to doctors’ offices and emergency departments yearly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . The severity of the pain, its location within your abdominal area, and accompanying symptoms may provide clues to the origin of the pain and whether or not you should seek help immediately. Here are some of the most common signs your tummy troubles need more than an over-the-counter remedy.

Raw Vegetables Especially Tomato

Consuming raw vegetables, especially the nightshade family, such as artichokes, tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, goji berries and peppers, can cause stomach discomfort and bowel problems . Citrus vegetables, especially tomatoes, increase acid production in your stomach while decreasing the pressure in the lower oesophageal sphincter , developing heartburn as well .

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How Is Abdominal Pain Diagnosed

The cause of abdominal pain is diagnosed based on your symptom history, a physical examination, and testing, if needed. Your doctor is likely to ask you questions about the characteristics of your pain, and whether you have any underlying physical or mental health conditions that could be contributing to your abdominal pain.

Questions from your doctor may address the following aspects of your abdominal pain:

• Where its located
• Whether its dull, stabbing, burning, or cramping
• Whether it comes and goes
• When you experience or notice it most
• Whether it radiates outward to other areas of your body
• How long youve had it
• Whether any activities or actions seem to make it worse or better

Your doctor may also ask about your overall health history, any recent injuries, and whether you might be pregnant.

• Blood, urine, or stool tests
• X-ray of the abdomen
• Computerized tomography scan of the abdomen
• Barium enema
• Endoscopic procedures
• Electrocardiogram