Why Is My Stomach Tender And Bloated
Abdominal bloating is when the abdomen feels full and tight. It commonly occurs due to a buildup of gas somewhere in the gastrointestinal tract. Bloating causes the belly to look larger than usual, and it may also feel tender or painful. Fluid retention in the body can also lead to bloating.
Other Sources Of Lower Abdominal Pain
A study published in April 2011 in the American Journal of Surgery suggests that almost 12 percent of appendectomies between 1998 and 2007 were conducted on patients who didn’t actually have appendicitis.
This is because several health issues can also cause pain that’s localized to your lower right abdominal area, making an accurate diagnosis of appendicitis difficult without using imaging tests, such as computed tomography , ultrasound, and MRIs.
For instance, ovulation pain occurs on either the right or left side of the lower abdomen and can be quite sharp, like appendicitis pain. But that pain doesn’t start near the belly button, nor does it get worse with movement.
Constipation can cause pain localized in the lower right abdomen, as well as rebound tenderness. But the constipation starts before the abdominal pain, unlike when you have appendicitis though constipation can be a symptom of appendicitis.
A kidney infection can be another cause of lower right abdominal pain if the right kidney is infected but this also causes groin pain, back pain, and painful urination.
Pain from kidney stones can spread to the lower right abdomen, though it doesn’t start at the belly button it usually starts below the ribs on one of your sides and back. It also usually comes in waves.
Why Do My Ribs Feel Bruised
Rib cage pain can be caused by a variety of things, ranging from pulled muscles to a rib fracture. The pain may occur immediately upon injury or develop slowly over time. It can also be a sign of an underlying medical condition. You should report any instance of unexplainable rib cage pain to your doctor immediately.
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When To Seek Help
Any time you have chest pain with shortness of breath, you should seek immediate medical care.
The physician will conduct a history and physical. It can be really challenging to determine the origin of chest pain when lying down to sleep, as it is a symptom of several disease processes. Its essential to determine the characteristics of the pain , location if the pain worsens with different positioning, any other signs, and symptoms that accompany the chest pain. The doctor may also order blood and heart tests.
Chest pain when lying down to sleep can be acute or chronic. It can be indicative of a medical emergency or aging. Depending on the cause, chest pain may be corrected with medication or a change in sleep positions.Determining the cause of your chest pain is necessary to avoid poor sleep. Proper sleep hygiene is necessary to be able to obtain a restorative nights sleep.
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What Organ Is Located On The Right Side Just Below The Rib Cage
The liver sits above and to the right of your stomach under the rib cage and below your diaphragm. The liver has a number of functions. It: Makes bile to help digest fat from the foods you eat.
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Treatments For An Upset Stomach
Drink plenty of liquids, but do so in small amounts water is a good choice. Sports drinks and coconut water help replenish electrolytes, which can help if you experience vomiting. Try clear, carbonated, and caffeine-free beverages such as tonic water, club soda, or ginger ale. Teas containing peppermint, chamomile, or ginger may help settle an upset stomach.
Eat bland foods such as bananas, rice, applesauce, and white bread. Soup, broth, or bullion are good options if you do not have an appetite, or if you have trouble keeping solid food down. Avoid dairy and whole grains, as well as rich, spicy, greasy, and fatty foods.
Other things that can help treat an upset stomach:
- Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and caffeinated beverages.
- Over-the-counter antacids can help relieve an upset stomach.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing, especially pants.
- Sit upright and avoid lying down or bending over at the waist.
Why Does My Stomach Hurt When I Lay Down While Pregnant
As the uterus stretches to accommodate your growing baby, so do the ligaments. This may cause sharp or dull pain in the abdomen, hips, or groin. Shifting your position, sneezing, or coughing can trigger round ligament pain. This usually occurs in the last half of the pregnancy.
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When Is Gassiness After A Meal A Reason To Worry
Although most cases of post-meal gas are completely normal, Dr. Lee recommends checking in with a doctor if this is something new for you, if its accompanied by other symptoms , or if it just really bothers you.
If youve been OK for years and then started having excessive gas six months agosomething may be going on, Dr. Lee says.
A few conditions that can cause excessive gas include small intestinal bacterial overgrowth , celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome , and lactose intolerance. Seeing a medical expert can help you pinpoint the specific cause of your excessive gas if necessary.
What if youre pretty sure your post-meal gas is just your body doing its thing, but you still want to try to tame your symptoms? Gastroenterologists happen to have a few clutch strategies for getting rid of gas discomfort right this way.
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Why Does Acid Reflux Get Worse When You Lie Down
Acid reflux is worse at night for three reasons. First, the concentration of acid in the stomach is higher at night. Second, in the lying position, it is easier for acid to reflux and to remain in the esophagus., Gravity does not take the acid back down into the stomach. What causes extreme pain in lower abdomen?
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Can Stress Upset Your Stomach
The stomach takes your daily stress way more seriously! A feeling of tightness, churning, cramping, feeling nervous, or knots in the stomach are major indicators connecting your stomach pain directly to your mental health.
There are two reasons for this absurd behavior including:
- During stress, the adrenal gland releases cortisol hormone into the bloodstream. This leads to constipation, nausea, stomach cramps, and abdominal discomfort.
- Stressful people try to find relief in food and unhealthy beverages such as alcohol, coffee, or tea. This excessive eating and drinking may cause uneasiness in your stomach.
So Why Does Lying Down After Eating Seem To Make You So Gassy
No matter your physical position, its normal to feel gassier after a meal because you swallow more air when you eat and drink, especially if youre talking. Since swallowed air most often comes back up through your mouth, if you do expel this gas, it will frequently manifest as a burp.
Beyond that, the phenomenon of feeling gassier when lying down post-meal may be based in part on perception, Dr. Lee explains. Going about your busy life can distract you from how your body feels, she says. If youre lying down and not as active, you can become more aware of your bodyand your gas.
Then theres the actual physics of being horizontal. It may be easier for gas to accumulate into larger, more noticeable pockets when youre lying down, Dr. Lee says. When youre upright or moving around, the gravitational pull from your vertical orientation and your constant jostling keep little gas bubbles scattered throughout the GI tract, Dr. Lee says. Those influences arent as potent when youre still and lying down, so those bubbles can become consolidated into larger masses, Dr. Lee explains, making your gas feel more noticeable.
While lying down can make you super in-tune with your gas, it can also make it harder to expel that air. Lying down puts pressure on the anal opening in a way that can make it a little tougher to naturally pass gas, Dr. Lee explains. It is also harder to burp lying down, as gravity hinders gas traveling up from the stomach to the esophagus, she says.
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Causes Of Recurrent Stomach Pains
- Stress or Worries. The most common cause of frequent stomach pains is stress. Over 10% of children have a “worried stomach.” These children tend to be sensitive and too serious. They often are model children. This can make them more at risk to the normal stresses of life. Examples of these events are changing schools, moving or family fights. The pain is in the pit of the stomach or near the belly button. The pain is real.
- Abdominal Migraine. Attacks of stomach pain and vomiting with sudden onset and offset. Often occur in children who later develop migraine headaches. Strongly genetic.
- Functional Abdominal Pains. Functional means the stomach pains are due to a sensitive GI tract. The GI tract is free of any disease.
- School Avoidance. Stomach pains that mainly occur in the morning on school days. They keep the child from going to school.
Constipation Gas And Indigestion
The kind of foods we eat, together with the level of fluid intake, play a considerable role in helping us diagnose the cause of any abdominal pain we may be going through after any meal.
When our meals are made up of greasy foods and followed by minimal fluid intake, it becomes very likely to have indigestion and obstructions somewhere along the small intestines or colon.
With indigestion and obstruction comes a possible build-up of gases which may cause abdominal pain or constipation.
When you lie down, your posture affects the flow of fluid and gases within the abdomen, which may be instrumental in reducing the flatulence and alleviating stomach pain.
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Symptoms Of Stomach Pain
There are two types of stomach pain. They are:
Cramping abdominal pain
This pain is sharp and cyclical. It comes on suddenly, increasing in intensity until it crests and subsides, only to come back later. The number of painful moments, how long they last, and their intensity vary significantly. This is also referred to as gas pain. The stretching or squeezing of the intestines causes this type of pain.
Constant abdominal pain
The second type is known as constant abdominal pain, and while it can increase and decrease in intensity, it continuously hurts without relief. This pain has also been described as aching, burning, gnawing, hunger, or sharp pains.
How Do You Self Check Your Stomach For Pregnancy
Walk your fingers up the side of her abdomen until you feel the top of her abdomen under the skin. It will feel like a hard ball. You can feel the top by curving your fingers gently into the abdomen. Figure 10.1 With the woman lying on her back, begin by finding the top of the uterus with your fingers.
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When To See A Healthcare Provider
Everybody handles pain differently. Still, it’s a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider right away if your pain:
- Began with a specific injury
- Wakes you up at night
- Keeps you from sleeping
- Travels to other parts of the body, like your legs
- Comes with signs of infection such as redness, warmth, swelling, or fever
- Comes with weakness, numbness, or tingling in your lower body
You may want to start by checking with your primary healthcare provider. They will be able to treat or refer you to a specialist if needed.
For example, if your healthcare provider thinks your pain may be caused by an inflammatory condition, you may need to see a rheumatologist. A rheumatologist specializes in arthritis and diseases that involve the bones, muscles, and joints.
You may find it helpful to know how pain is categorized:
- Acute pain is short-term–a few days or weeks. It often happens after an injury or specific event.
- Chronic pain is longer-term. It may last for several months or more. In many cases, it isn’t from an injury.
It’s a good idea to seek immediate medical care if you have low back pain and a personal history of cancer. Your pain may need urgent treatment if you also have unexplained weight loss or sudden bladder control issues.
About Stomach Pain Or Ache
Stomach pain in children is very often caused by wind and indigestion, neither of which is serious.
A sore tummy might also be a sign of infections like food poisoning, gastroenteritis, pneumonia or urinary tract infections.
Anxiety or stress can cause butterflies in the tummy.
Severe stomach pain might be caused by more serious illnesses like appendicitis or intussusception, which is when part of the intestine slides into or over itself.
Tummy pain that keeps coming back might be associated with constipation, food intolerances or inflammation in the gut.
In adolescent girls, stomach pain can be caused by reproductive issues, including period pain, a twisted ovary and ectopic pregnancy.
Sometimes stomach pain is functional abdominal pain. This means that the stomach is very sensitive, even to the normal movement of food through the digestive system.
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Causes Of Stomach Pain
Cramping abdominal pain arises from hyperactivity of normal intestinal peristalsis, also known as muscle contractions, and can be caused by excess gas, irritation of the intestines from infection or inflammation, blockage, and even stress.
Constant abdominal pain can arise from an inflammation in any of the organs in the abdominal cavity, ulcers, blockage of the gallbladder by stone, and infections called abscesses.
There are many other causes of stomach pain that can wake you up at night. Some of them are listed below:
Acid reflux
Acid Reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease , is a condition where the acidified content of the stomach backs up into the esophagus. This can damage the esophagus and upset your stomach.
Food poisoning
Sometimes, stomach pain can occur when you eat raw or contaminated food, resulting in diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. Most people experience these symptoms a few hours after eating the contaminated food.
Gallstones
Stones developed in your gallbladder can block your gallbladder duct, causing constant abdominal pain. These tend to develop after a large, fat-heavy meal, and a gallstone attack can occur while youre sleeping.
Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is defined as abnormal discomfort and pain associated with altered bowel habits for at least three days per month during the previous three months. Cramping abdominal pain is the most common symptom.
Menstrual cramps
Stomach ulcer
How To Course Correct And Regain Your Strength
Sitting at a desk isnt always feasible, possible, or comfortable when were using our devices. Part of the beauty of having them is that theyre mobile.
But to preserve our health, it helps to have a few rules in place for using them in bed or when cuddled up on the couch next to the cat. Parents, you may want to keep an eye on little ones to prevent them from developing this bad habit.
Weve adapted these recommendations resulting from a 2018 study on iPad neck, conducted by physical therapist Szu-Ping Lee and colleagues at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas .
One last interesting tidbit on the topic: More gals than guys reported pain in regards to tablet use, says the UNLV study, and the ladies are also more likely to use their tech while on the floor.
Regardless of gender, if youre spending time down there with your devices, invest in a cushy chair or some supportive bed pillows for the benefit of your bod.
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How Do I Know My Baby Is Healthy In My Womb
The first way to make sure that your pregnancy is healthy is by keeping your blood pressure and blood sugar levels in check. In fact, the decision to get pregnant should be immediately followed by checking your blood pressure and the levels of sugar in your blood. You should follow up on these in all the trimesters.
Change How Often You Eat
Some people get belly pain between meals, when thereâs no buffer for the acid in your stomach. If this happens, eat smaller meals or snacks spaced out through the day so your stomach isnât empty for long periods.
The opposite also can cause stomach pain. If you eat so much that you feel stuffed, your stomach is likely to hurt.
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Causes Of Acute Stomach Pain
- Eating Too Much. Eating too much can cause an upset stomach and mild stomach pain.
- Hunger Pains. Younger children may complain of stomach pain when they are hungry.
- GI Virus . A GI virus can cause stomach cramps as well as vomiting and/or diarrhea.
- Food Poisoning. This causes sudden vomiting and/or diarrhea within hours after eating the bad food. It is caused by toxins from germs growing in foods left out too long. Most often, symptoms go away in less than 24 hours. It often can be treated at home without the need for medical care.
- Constipation. The need to pass a stool may cause cramps in the lower abdomen.
- Strep Throat. A strep throat infection causes 10% of new onset stomach pain with fever.
- Bladder Infection. Bladder infections usually present with painful urination, urgency and bad smelling urine. Sometimes the only symptom is pain in the lower abdomen.
- Appendicitis . Suspect appendicitis if pain is low on the right side and walks bent over. Other signs are the child won’t hop and wants to lie still.
- Intussusception . Sudden attacks of severe pain that switch back and forth with periods of calm. Caused by one segment of bowel telescoping into a lower piece of bowel. Peak age is 6 months to 2 years.