Stomach pain is also described as pain in the upper abdomen and/or stomach area. Stomach pain refers to pain experienced in the area above the navel and below the breastbone. Stomach pain can consist of a dull, aching or stabbing pain and can come on acutely or develop slowly. Stomach pain is often accompanied by other complaints, such as pain behind the breastbone, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, feeling full quickly when eating, bloating and belching. In severe cases, there may also be vomiting of blood, pain radiating to the arms, jaws or back, for example, and jet-black stools. It is important to know that stomach complaints are generally harmless and temporary.Where is the stomach located? / Source: Nerthuz/Shutterstock.com

• Dull, aching or stabbing pain in the upper abdomen
• Stomach pain due to food
• Food intolerance

• Lactose intolerance
• Gluten intolerance (celiac disease)

• Food poisoning
• Stomach pain due to stress or depression
• Stomach pain due to medication
• Stomach pain due to stomach flu
• Reflux complaints

• Heartburn
• Sphincter between esophagus and stomach

• Ulcer complaints (stomach ulcer)
• Stomach pain due to special stomach conditions

• Stomach bleeding
• Stomach cancer

• Gallbladder and pancreas

• Gallstones
• Pancreatitis

• Prevention of stomach pain

Dull, aching or stabbing pain in the upper abdomen

Stomach pain often refers to pain in the upper abdomen. Stomach pain can consist of a dull, aching or stabbing pain and can come on acutely or slowly. There are several possible causes of upper abdominal pain.Usually there is no clear cause for stomach pain. In that case one speaks of non-specific stomach complaints . Non-specific stomach complaints almost never cause permanent damage to health and will disappear on their own over time.Stomach pain due to coffee / Source: Istock.com/PuwanaiSomwan

Stomach pain due to food

If you eat too much, too fatty or highly spicy food, you can develop stomach problems. Some people experience stomach upset when they drink acidic or carbonated drinks, coffee, or alcohol. Physical and/or mental stress can cause stomach complaints, just like smoking or an unhealthy diet. The stomach can also become upset with a slight deviation from daily habits. In that case someone has a ‘sensitive stomach’. The stomach has become accustomed to certain dietary and lifestyle habits and the stomach does not appreciate a change in diet.

Food intolerance

With a food intolerance you develop physical complaints after eating a certain food, while another does not become ill.

Lactose intolerance

With lactose intolerance you cannot (properly) digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and milk products. This type of food intolerance causes mild to severe stomach pain and abdominal discomfort. The solution? Avoid dairy products, such as milk and cheese, and be wary of processed foods. Processed foods often contain hidden dairy products or whey, a milk-based byproduct found in many protein powder blends and other foods. If you are lactose intolerant, you can also drink lactose-free milk to prevent complaints.Endoscopy of the duodenum (duodenum) in a patient with celiac disease / Source: Unknown, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA-3.0)

Gluten intolerance (celiac disease)

Some people react poorly to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. The most severe form of gluten intolerance is called celiac disease. Gluten intolerance (celiac disease) is an autoimmune disease that many people suffer from without even knowing it. Gluten causes damage in the small intestine. The small intestine does not work normally, it does not absorb nutrients. This can cause gas, flatulence, bloating, mild to severe pain and fatigue. The inability of the small intestine to absorb nutrients can lead to chronic diarrhea, weight loss and even malnutrition.

Food poisoning

Food poisoning from viruses or bacteria can cause abdominal pain and stomach pain, as well as diarrhea and vomiting. In general, the symptoms of poisoning usually last about 1-2 days.

Stomach pain due to stress or depression

Stress can cause headaches, high blood pressure, insomnia and abdominal and stomach complaints, including stomach pain. Depression is linked to digestive problems (including loss of appetite and weight loss) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In other words, chronic stress or depression can cause constant stomach and abdominal complaints.Stomach pain due to medication / Source: Stevepb, Pixabay

Stomach pain due to medication

It is also known that certain medications, such as some painkillers, blood thinners, anti-inflammatories and antidepressants, can cause or worsen stomach complaints. If you are overweight, cough or constipation, the complaints can worsen due to increased pressure in the abdomen.

Stomach pain due to stomach flu

Stomach flu or gastroenteritis is caused by a virus or bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Stomach flu is characterized by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and/or fever. Stomach flu lasts about two to three days, but it can take a week before the patient is back to normal. In the meantime, get plenty of rest, and make sure you don’t become dehydrated due to diarrhea or vomiting.

Reflux complaints

Heartburn

Many people suffer from heartburn from time to time. We speak of ‘reflux’ when the contents of the stomach flow back into the esophagus, which can irritate and damage the mucous membrane in the esophagus, causing inflammation. This is accompanied by burning pain behind the breastbone. Pregnant women in particular can suffer from heartburn, because the stomach has less space available in the abdominal cavity. It is not dangerous, but it can be very annoying and painful.Alcohol can relax the sphincter between the esophagus and stomach / Source: Istock.com/karelnoppe

Sphincter between esophagus and stomach

The transition from the esophagus to the stomach consists of a sphincter that works like a valve. Normally there is one-way traffic: after the food has passed the sphincter, it cannot go back. The valve opens when food arrives in the stomach and this sphincter also ensures that food and gastric juice cannot flow back from the stomach into the esophagus. However, stomach contents can rise if the sphincter muscle does not work properly or if the pressure in the abdomen is too high, for example because you suddenly bend over or lie down, wear constricting clothing or if you have been eating heavily. Excess weight and pregnancy can also increase pressure on the stomach. As a result of smoking, the use of coffee, chocolate or alcohol, the sphincter between the esophagus and the stomach can relax, causing reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus to occur more quickly. This can also be caused by some medications. Even in the case of a hiatal hernia where part of the stomach extends above the diaphragm, the sphincter between the esophagus and the stomach can sometimes no longer close properly.Helicobacter pylori / Source: Yutaka Tsutsumi, Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

Ulcer complaints (stomach ulcer)

An ulcer is an ulcer and the term ‘gastric ulcer’ refers to an ulcer in the stomach or duodenum. Most stomach ulcers are caused by an infection with the Helicobacter pylori bacteria . Common complaints include: pain in the abdomen just below the rib cage, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, blood in the vomit or stool and, as a result of blood loss, symptoms of anemia, such as feeling light-headed .

Stomach pain due to special stomach conditions

Special stomach disorders include gastric bleeding, gastric perforation and gastric cancer.

Stomach bleeding

Stomach bleeding can go unnoticed with small amounts of blood, but it can also cause black tarry stools or severe blood vomiting. Other possible symptoms of gastric bleeding include nausea, anemia and shock.

Stomach cancer

Stomach cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide after lung cancer. It mainly occurs in people over 50 years old, mostly men. Your diet and lifestyle (smoking and heavy drinking) are important risk factors. It often initially causes no complaints or the complaints are non-specific. You must be alert if you have persistent upper abdominal complaints.Gallbladder and pancreas / Source: Nerthuz/Shutterstock.com

Gallbladder and pancreas

Gallstones

Gallstones are stones that form in the gallbladder, a small sac that sits beneath the liver. Bile is needed to digest fats in food. These stones cause swelling and can block the duct to the intestine, resulting in pain. Gallstone pain is often felt in the right side of the upper abdomen, especially after fatty meals. High-fat meals cause the gallbladder to contract. With gallbladder inflammation, each contraction will usually cause pain.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis can cause burning pain in the upper abdomen. Some people even experience shooting pain that shoots straight through them. You can lean forward or lie on your back to try to relieve the pain, which may decrease to a dull ache, and nausea and vomiting. Too much alcohol can be the culprit of an inflamed pancreas.

Prevention of stomach pain

• The following measures and tips can help prevent or reduce stomach pain:
• Avoid consuming irritating and irritating substances such as coffee, alcohol, oranges, carbonated drinks or highly spicy food.
• Stop smoking, because smoking irritates the gastric mucosa (the mucous membrane that lines the inside of the stomach) and smoking makes the gastric mucosa recover less quickly.
• Drinking warm milk with an anise cube in it can sometimes reduce stomach pain.
• Stop taking NSAIDs (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, and naproxen) if you have stomach pain. NSAIDs can cause stomach complaints and damage the stomach and intestines.

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