What to do if the stomach hurts in the middle. Pain in lower left quadrant
If a person has never experienced pain in the abdomen, below or above, then it can be listed in the Red Book as an endangered specimen. Such pain is present in everyone's life. It can occur even in a perfectly healthy person. Sometimes it can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other symptoms.
Causes of pain in the upper and lower abdomen
According to statistics, more than half of the patients annually turn to the gynecologist with constant complaints of constant or periodic pain. Their number could be more, but not every woman considers such pain a serious problem. In most cases, discomfort in the lower abdomen provokes gynecological diseases or diseases of the urinary system.
Slightly less rarely, men complain of pain in the upper or lower abdomen. In some cases, the cause of the pain may be a disease of the intestines, as well as the stomach, liver, pancreas, and even kidneys.
Causes of pain in the upper abdomen
Pain in the upper abdomen appear with common diseases of the gastrointestinal intestinal tract such as gastritis, gallbladder dysfunction, stomach spasm. If the stomach hurts in any area, you can not massage it, as this can cause bleeding.
Pain can sometimes be caused by banal overeating. Our food can contain a lot of fat, increase the process of gas formation. The body may not accept the lactose found in dairy products. All this can also cause temporary pain, which usually disappears after a few hours.
Pain may cause more serious illness vital organs located in this area. Determining exactly what hurts is quite difficult, since the pain can migrate. Moreover, pain can radiate to the abdomen from organs outside the abdominal cavity, such as with pneumonia.
If the pain is widespread around the navel, it may be due to a bowel disorder or an inflammation of the appendix. Inflammation of the appendix can occur with stagnation of feces in the rectum. If the appendix becomes inflamed and left untreated, it can rupture and cause peritonitis, which is a serious, life-threatening infection that develops in the abdominal cavity.
If the pain spreads a little above the navel, then it is definitely stomach pain. The cause may be gastritis or a stomach ulcer. Increased stomach acid can also cause discomfort at the top of the abdomen.
If the pain is persistent, then you can suspect problems of the duodenum, as well as the pancreas and gallbladder.
If the pain in the upper abdomen is on the left, then it signals changes in the large intestine and also the stomach and pancreas.
If the pain in the upper abdomen on the right and it is especially strong, most likely it is an inflammatory process in the gallbladder. She can also give in the back.
Pancreatitis - a disease of the pancreas or disorders of the duodenum also cause pain in the upper abdomen.
With the appearance of strong, acute and incessant pain in the upper abdomen, it is imperative to seek qualified help from official medicine.
Causes of pain in the lower abdomen
Gynecological diseases. Inflammatory processes occurring in the internal genital organs, genital endometriosis, adhesions, uterine fibroids, genital tuberculosis, and other diseases.
Various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Vascular diseases.
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Diseases of the urinary system.
Pathologies of the peripheral nervous system.
mental illness different nature.
These are just the main groups of diseases that cause discomfort and pain in the lower abdomen. It is quite clear that it is absolutely impossible to self-diagnose with such pains. When pain occurs in the lower abdomen, it is absolutely necessary to contact qualified specialist For correct setting diagnosis, and the appointment of an adequate, successful treatment of the problem that has appeared.
Causes of pain in the lower abdomen in women
Pain in the lower abdomen is divided into 3 groups:
This pelvic pain. Unpleasant sensations, pain or discomfort deep inside the abdomen, pursuing a woman either constantly, or especially manifest after or during physical activity. They can also occur as a result of hypothermia.
Dysmenorrhea is the usual pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation, which occurs in almost every woman.
Dyspareunia is pain in the lower abdomen that occurs during intercourse.
The cause of acute pain in the lower abdomen as a symptom of diseases
Doctors, examining patients with complaints of acute pain in the lower abdomen, need to take into account the perception of pain by the patient herself, as well as take into account the thresholds for pain perception on an individual basis.
When pain occurs in patients, it is necessary to take into account what the onset was (acute or gradual), where the “center” of pain is, what other symptoms are present (nausea, chills, fever, vomiting, bleeding). It is also important to immediately determine whether the pain is related to the upcoming menstrual syndrome or pregnancy.
A very common cause of acute pain in the lower abdomen - ordinary cystitis. In this case, there is often frequent urination, pain when going to the toilet, the appearance of blood in the urine. If there are no such symptoms, then perhaps the reason is different - it may be inflammation of the appendages, bowel problems and many other diseases that require a professional approach and certain treatment.
Bleeding from the genitals - most often the problem lies in diseases of the reproductive system
Chills and fever - inflammation and infection of the pelvic organs
Vomiting and nausea - most often indicate diseases of the intestinal tract
Fainting and shock - most often these symptoms indicate the presence of intra-abdominal bleeding
Painful urination- diseases of the urinary tract
It should be noted that the symptoms of the disease can be completely different and united only by the place of pain and its type: girdle, pulling, sharp, cutting, acid burning, discomfort associated with constipation or diarrhea.
As we noted above, the causes of abdominal pain can be different. These are any disorders, tension digestive tract caused by stress, indigestion, heartburn, gallstones, peptic ulcer, lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome, food poisoning. There may also be spasms that are associated with muscles, including those that are in the walls of the digestive tract. And in the last case, painful contractions can be easily confused with abdominal pain.
What to do if you have pain in the upper or lower abdomen?
The stupidest thing will be to sit at home and wonder why the pain arose or dig on the Internet, imagining yourself an experienced doctor. You need to make an appointment with a gynecologist and a surgeon, go through them full examination. If these doctors could not identify the visible causes of pain, you can consult an osteopath, perhaps the causes of your pain are arising muscle spasms or spasms in the ligaments that connect the internal organs.
This is the most common pain indicative of diseases that occurs in the practice of gynecologists. At the same time, such acute pains in the lower abdomen are very non-specific, since they can appear in the case of various diseases. For example, as is known, in the pelvic region, the concentration nerve endings is small, and therefore those pains that come from the pelvic organs are not very well differentiated in the central nervous system. In this case, the pain often seems to radiate, and some women often continue to feel it even after removing the cause of the pain, this phenomenon is called “phantom pain”.
What to do with acute pain in the lower abdomen?
If you have a sharp and sharp pain in the lower abdomen, then this state of affairs is most often a symptom of bleeding, ruptures and other acute pathologies and processes in the body. In addition, acute pain can also appear in case of acute infectious diseases of the reproductive system and colic in the urinary tract.
The pain can be constantly pulling in the groin area, can move from left to right, can intensify and vice versa. Finding out what is causing the pain, what to do about it, is quite difficult. An exception may be easily diagnosed inflammation of appendicitis, stomach ulcers, problems in the pelvic area. Pain in the lower abdomen also appears with an acute or exacerbated chronic process in the digestive tract, such as, for example, peptic ulcer, colitis, gastritis.
The advice of doctors is not to self-medicate with pain, because in this case a person can make many mistakes and worsen the situation. In no case should you undergo treatment in sanatoriums and do physiotherapy until the results of the examination are available.
Independent application antibiotics can lead to complications from other organs, lead to the fact that microbes are resistant to this drug and even its counterparts. Also, you can not independently reduce the dose of taking medications or even interrupt the prescribed course of treatment. It is necessary to adhere to the exact scheme and tactics of treatment, which was determined by the attending physician.
What should women do with pain in the lower or upper abdomen?
As for women, they may experience pain due to inflammation of the pelvic organs. Chronic diseases result from hypothermia, viral diseases and weakened immunity. Most women suffer similar problems. Basically, inflammatory processes of the ovaries and uterus or can be progressive. If you feel pain in the lower abdomen, what to do, when these pains are aching and radiate to the rectum, sometimes to the lower back, then you can immediately exclude appendicitis and consult a gynecologist.
A dangerous symptom may be pain during pregnancy. Hospitalization is required if ectopic pregnancy, the uterus has increased, the placenta has exfoliated, there is a threat of miscarriage. To avoid further health problems, contact your doctor. Natural pains include the specifics of the development of the fetus, as a result of pressure on the walls of the intestines or stomach, stretched ligaments in the area of \u200b\u200bthe uterus. Gymnastics for pregnant women and proper nutrition will help here. In case of acute pain - only contact the ambulance service and the doctor. Diagnosis of chronic pain syndromes is difficult, so it is better to be examined by a good specialist.
When should you go to the doctor if you are worried about abdominal pain?
If you started to suffer from pain in the abdomen, this does not mean that you need to immediately run to the doctor and start to panic. We will talk about that pain and its symptoms. When you need to see a doctor.
When should you see a doctor?
In case the pain is very severe, you cannot bend over and any movement makes it even worse, in cases where the pain can also be accompanied by nausea that lasts for several days.
Abdominal pain is also accompanied by other changes: diarrhea, constipation, spotting, and all this is also accompanied by an increase in temperature
The upper abdomen hurts, the urine becomes dark, the skin and whites of the eyes become yellow
Spasms last more than half an hour and do not stop
The pain is also accompanied by vomiting, sweating, tightness inside, shortness of breath. Here one should be able to distinguish, because such pain is easily confused with a myocardial infarction, when the most urgent medical care is needed.
What to do if the pain in the stomach was caused by pills?
In addition, pain can also be caused by medication. If the pain appeared simultaneously with the started course of treatment or shortly after eating, it is best to consult a doctor about the possibility of finding alternative drugs and allergy diagnosis.
stomach irritants, causing pain:
stimulant pills
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that are used in case of sprain
stimulant tablets (for toothache, headache, colds) - Aspirin, Naproxen.
Pain in the upper abdomen is a dangerous symptom that is a harbinger of many dangerous diseases. Reasons for occurrence similar condition a lot of. Unpleasant sensations can overtake you suddenly and pass quickly, or they can annoy you for a long time.
Despite the intensity and concomitant symptoms, any health problems should be addressed. can be an indicator of various conditions, which we will discuss below.
A gastroenterologist will help you return to an active life.
Unpleasant sensations at the top of the abdomen can occur for various reasons. This may be eloquent evidence of the presence of pathology. internal organs.
Problems with the stomach and intestines can also cause pain. Man suffers from cramping, burning, pulling or pressing pain. Turning to will help you get back to an active life.
Unpleasant sensations are possible due to stretching of the organ capsule, which resembles a dense shell, paved connective tissue. A tumor, injury, or inflammation can be the precipitating factor causing the capsule to stretch. The severity of symptoms can range from a moderate level to a pronounced disease state.
When the capsule breaks, the patient's condition worsens. Poor circulation can also cause these conditions. Atherosclerotic lesion, blockage of a blood clot in response to the deterioration.
With gastric ulcer, the state of health worsens 15-45 minutes after the meal. The defeat of the duodenum is marked by delayed symptoms, which make themselves felt after 1-1.5 hours. In the presence of ulcers, unpleasant symptoms appear on an empty stomach and at bedtime, discomfort is felt in the shoulder blades.
A person has signs of bloating, the stool is disturbed. In case of problems with the gastrointestinal tract, it improves the patient's condition, while the symptoms of problems with other parts of the body do not depend on this action. If suddenly you feel sharp sharp pains, it is better to call a specialist, as jokes are bad with an ulcer. The right treatment tactics will help you recover quickly.
Do you feel belching, burning and soreness behind the sternum? It is necessary to exclude inflammation of the esophagus. Other symptoms that confirm the presence of GERD are increased symptoms in the supine position, bending over and physical work.
liver problems
With cholelithiasis, patients describe the presence of bursting pains.
Muscle pain
To understand if they are related painful conditions with muscle tension, it is worth lifting lower limbs. With a positive answer, the pain will intensify. Pain in muscle tissue is a response to hypertonicity; muscle strain is often diagnosed, accompanied by internal microtraumas.
The reason may be, physical overload, sports training and physical work. The worst option is a rupture of the abdominal ligaments, which occurs with intense excessive stress on atrophied muscles.
The video will tell you more about pain in the upper part of the stomach:
Problems in neurology
With osteochondrosis, compression of the roots occurs spinal cord. There are pains, concentrating in the spine. Infringement of the nerve roots makes the nerve supply, spleen and intestines defective.
The person begins to complain of cutting and stabbing sensations. Other neurotic symptoms appear that signal that it is time to take care of yourself. Massage, physiotherapy and special preparations slow down progression a disease that is now popular and will significantly improve the condition.
The appearance of a hernia
When the organs are clamped, a hernia is formed. The person feels pain around the formation. When pressed, the round formation disappears. Patients with hernias of the esophagus face all the troubles that causes the presence of problems with the gastrointestinal tract.
The increase entails the expansion of the gate and stretching of the structures surrounding the defect of the abdominal wall. A dangerous phenomenon is considered to be the entry of organs into the abdominal sac, which is also accompanied by pain. Local sensations or pain in the entire abdomen may be diagnosed.
Metabolic disorders
When ketoacidosis occurs and thyrotoxic crisis irritate the receptors of the peritoneum. Sharp pain is accompanied by tension of the peritoneum. To clarify the diagnosis, a patient with the listed symptoms is sent to a hospital.
Rules of conduct for abdominal pain
Only when feeling acute pain does a person begin to pay attention to problems in the body.
Regardless of the intensity and characteristics of the pain, it is necessary to consult a medical institution to prevent serious complications and worsening condition.
It is worth trying not to take pills before the initial consultation so that the doctor can make the most accurate diagnosis.
Until the initial verdict is issued, the heating pad must not be used. To somehow alleviate the condition, you can use ice. It is worth alerting if there is vomiting, fever.
These additional symptoms may indicate the severity of the situation. Irregular pains of moderate intensity, appearing from time to time, give hope for a happy outcome. It is worth contacting a specialist if the pain becomes more frequent and interferes with normal life.
It is important to tell the doctor in detail about the nature, intensity of pain and events preceding the worsening of the condition. Treatment should be aimed at eliminating the underlying cause that causes similar conditions. Modern man lives in a special rhythm. It is difficult for him to take the time and listen to his own body.
Aching pains are often ignored, the malaise is attributed to poor-quality food. Only when feeling acute pain does a person begin to pay attention to problems in his own body. Painkillers are used, although the right step would be to call a doctor and visit a specialist.
The collected analysis, examination and diagnostic procedures help to set the exact one, since abdominal pain can be the cause of many ailments that require drug treatment or surgical intervention. It is important to pay attention to additional symptoms: the presence of vomiting, stool disorders, pain in the hypochondrium. Accurate writing of symptoms helps to quickly find the root cause and start fighting developing disease.
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Pain always takes us by surprise. Unpleasant sensations on top of the abdomen can break all plans and lead to real torment. As you know, the upper abdomen is the area where several vital organs are located, therefore pain in this place may indicate a number of pathologies - from to.
Note: if the pain lasts more than half an hour, you should immediately consult a doctor, since taking analgesics will only temporarily relieve the symptoms, but will not eliminate the cause that caused the disease.
Overeating and stomach pain
Overeating is one of the most common and relatively safe reasons pain in the abdomen. In especially difficult cases, it can lead to chronic pain and malfunction of the digestive tract. With frequent use of other products containing lactose, intolerance to lactose-containing products may occur.
Love to fatty foods can also cause heaviness. Such food provokes increased gas formation, which often leads to damage to internal organs and problems with the stool. Abdominal pain associated with overeating is acute and can last 3-5 hours, after which it gradually subsides.
Pain on top of the abdomen: what do they indicate?
Most often, pain under the breast indicates a violation of the functions of the gastrointestinal tract.
Note! The strength and intensity of discomfort in this area may directly depend on the location of the nerve endings in the damaged organ.
To better understand how pain is formed and spread in this place, it is necessary to get acquainted with different zones abdominal cavity. These include:
- epigastrium or epigastric zone - covers the area from the sternum to the navel;
- left and right hypochondrium- are located on the sides of the epigastric zone;
- mesogastrium - the area around the navel;
- lateral areas - located on both sides of the mesogastrium;
- suprapubic zone - covers the lower abdomen to the place where the pubic bones connect;
- iliac fossa - on the left and right of the suprapubic region.
Pain in the epigastric region is not necessarily associated with the organs located at the top of the abdomen, it can spread here and from other areas. Often it becomes difficult to determine its source.
The nature of pain in the upper abdomen in diseases of the esophagus
If the cause of the pain is a violation of the functioning of the esophagus, then the pathologies most likely affect its peritoneal part. It has a length of 1 to 3 cm and occupies the area between the stomach and the diaphragm.
Another cause of pain is a violation of the sphincter - the muscles between the esophagus and stomach.
With disorders of the sphincter, pain is often felt in upper region abdomen 1-2 fingers to the left of center. With other pathologies of the esophagus - in the lower part of the sternum, behind it, at the top of the abdominal cavity. Sometimes - gives in the back.
The stomach is one of the causes of pain in the upper abdomen
Above and to the right, the stomach is in contact with the liver, and the pancreas is located behind. Some parts of the organ are located next to the spleen, intestines and omentum. It is worth noting that the size of the stomach, as well as its ratio with neighboring organs, varies depending on whether it is empty or full.
On each side, the stomach is connected by sheets of peritoneum, so even the slightest spasms of this organ are accompanied by severe pain in the upper abdomen.
For pain with spasm and stenosis of the pylorus of the stomach (sphincter pathologies), it is characteristic:
- increased with overeating, after eating, especially solid food ( usually in 1.5-2 hours);
- localization slightly lower and to the right of the epigastrium;
- average intensity and frequency;
- with sour contents (usually after a heavy meal);
- belching and.
Since the surface of the stomach is covered with a mucous membrane from the inside, and muscle fibers are located between the outer and inner layers, spasms can be evidence of pathologies of the outer layer of the stomach and inflammation of the mucous membrane itself.
The mucous membrane of the stomach contains great amount cells that are responsible for the normal functioning of the body. critical role cells that produce hydrochloric acid, which is necessary for the breakdown of food, play in the process of digestion. During the normal functioning of the organ, the acid does not damage the walls of the stomach, but violations acid balance often leads to inflammation of the gastric walls -. In this case, the patient complains of moderate prolonged pain in the upper abdomen (in the pit of the stomach). It is characterized by hunger pains that subside after a small meal.
With the development destructive changes and the appearance of a defect in the mucous membrane - pain occurs either on an empty stomach, or half an hour or an hour after eating. At the same time, hunger pains with food intake only intensify. The patient may experience heartburn, vomiting of acidic contents, a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen,.
When an ulcer is complicated by bleeding, the typical picture of pain does not change, but the feces become black and liquid, vomiting resembles coffee grounds.
Perforation of the gastric membrane leads to the strongest tension of the abdominal wall and swelling of the upper abdomen. The pain is unbearable, dagger.
How it hurts at the top of the abdomen if the large and small intestines are affected
The small intestine begins after the gastric section, its walls are formed from smooth muscle tissue. The main task of this system is the continuation of the digestion of food and the subsequent pushing of its residues through the digestive tract.
Spasm small intestine can cause abdominal pain, which is called. In this case, cramping pain occurs. Most often - in the middle of the abdomen, sometimes they radiate (give) to the upper sections of the abdominal cavity. In some cases, pain in the upper abdomen is evidence of inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, its ulceration, and other pathologies of the organ.
As for the large intestine, most of it is located much lower in the abdominal cavity. At the same time, pain in the upper abdomen is often associated with pathologies of the transverse colon, located below the stomach. These can be various dysfunctions caused by stretching of the walls and oncopathologies.
Diseases of the liver, in which pain is possible at the top of the abdomen
The liver is located in the upper right side of the peritoneum. She does a series important functions- excretion of toxic substances, the formation of bile and proteins, the accumulation of glycogen, etc. develop in strength various reasons and may behave differently.
Unpleasant sensations are often associated with an increase in the body, because it inner surface devoid of nerve endings, and the destruction of the hepatic parenchyma is painless. However, the tissue that surrounds the organ is quite sensitive, therefore, with a moderate increase in the organ, the pain is insignificant - in the form of discomfort in the right hypochondrium. Its amplification is observed with slopes, sharp turns, physical exertion.
A severe enlargement of the liver can lead to severe pain. Another reason why the liver hurts - purulent accumulation(abscess) involving the outer capsule.
Spleen pathologies
The spleen is located in the region of the left hypochondrium. This organ is responsible for the immune control of the blood - the accumulation blood cells, ensuring the protection of the body, etc. Given that the spleen is covered with sheets of peritoneum on each side, the patient usually feels a slight discomfort in the left hypochondrium, provoked by an increase in the size of the organ. Acute severe pain is rare.
Perceptible soreness can be observed with such pathologies as:
Pain in the upper abdomen with pathologies of the pancreas
The pancreas is located behind the stomach almost completely to the left of the midline of the abdomen. It comes into contact with the peritoneum only with the anterior wall, so pain is felt in this area. Almost all of the gland consists of alveoli, inside which is synthesized digestive enzyme which activates bile.
At acute inflammation pancreas () pain is sudden and intense from the first minutes of appearance, aggravated by movement and deep breath. The main place of localization is the epigastric and navel zone, often the pain radiates to the back and hypochondrium. Often the pain is accompanied, repeated.
Chronic pancreatitis is characterized by milder pain, often aggravated after eating, and lasting several hours or even days.
If bile enters the alveoli, it can cause necrosis of the walls of the gland (necrosis), which leads to severe unbearable pain in the upper abdomen on the left.
Other causes leading to abdominal pain in the upper part
If the stomach hurts in the upper part, this may be the body's response to any irritants - the ingress of a foreign body, cell necrosis, and impaired blood outflow. The nature of pain and its intensity directly depends on the organ or system where inflammation develops. It can be diagnosed the following pathologies:
- . Pain under the sternum is an atypical location for such a disease. It is not accompanied by other symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders, but blanching is observed skin, changes in blood pressure, heart rate and rhythm, increased sweating.
- Mechanical trauma of the abdomen. The nature and intensity of pain depends on the location of the injury, its intensity, the degree of damage to the affected organs.
- Diaphragmatic hernia. Extension esophageal opening diaphragm can be asymptomatic, sometimes with a slight feeling of discomfort behind the sternum or minor pain after eating in the upper abdomen. When food goes beyond the diaphragm and infringement of such a hernia, acute pain occurs, indicating a threat to the patient's life.
- . In some cases, the onset of pain is observed not in the iliac fossa on the right, but in the epigastric region. The pain is moderate, and only after 30-60 minutes does it move directly to the location appendix and becomes intense.
Pain in the upper abdomen in pregnant women: what does it threaten?
Pregnancy is not only a wonderful time of waiting for a baby, but also long months fears, worries and anxieties. At this time health future mother requires special attention, so the appearance of even the slightest pain– already a serious reason to see a doctor.
Most often, during pregnancy, a woman feels sharp pains that quickly pass. They usually accompany the stretching of the uterus, which presses on the peritoneum, causing discomfort. This kind of pain in the upper abdomen in a pregnant woman can be aggravated by sneezing or a sudden change in position. In this case, you should not immediately take painkillers - just calm down and accept the fact that the body is changing in anticipation of the birth of the baby.
Unfortunately, sometimes it is also threatening. So, sharp discomfort in the early stages may indicate a threat of miscarriage, as well as gynecological problems. In this case, the pregnant woman's stomach aches, it seems that contractions begin.
Important! Pain in various departments abdomen may indicate
The female sex quite often has to deal with various ailments. The most popular reason for patients to visit a gynecologist is pain in the lower abdomen (in the middle). In women, these sensations can occur intermittently or be permanent. You can learn about the reasons for such discomfort from the above article.
Is it normal that it hurts in the lower abdomen (in the middle) in women?
When a patient comes to an appointment with a gynecologist, she is primarily interested in whether such sensations are normal or if it is a pathology. The doctor cannot immediately answer this question. To find out what was the cause (in the middle) in women, it is necessary to conduct some examination. Usually it includes taking a smear, conducting an ultrasound diagnosis. According to the results obtained, the doctor may already prescribe additional studies. These include colposcopy, hysteroscopy, magnetic resonance imaging, laparoscopy, and so on.
Depending on what caused the pain in the lower abdomen (in the middle), women are diagnosed. It is worth noting that such sensations are not always a symptom of pathology. Sometimes this can be an absolute norm or physiological feature. Consider the main causes and symptoms of pain in the lower abdomen in women.
Intestinal problems
Pain in the lower abdomen (in the middle) in women may appear due to intestinal pathologies. So, most often it is a delay in fecal masses or Usually such symptoms appear due to malnutrition. However, the cause of their occurrence may be more serious problems such as inflammation or dysbacteriosis.
If discomfort occurs due to problems in the intestines, then often the representative of the weaker sex notes other symptoms. These include increased gas formation, lack of appetite, nausea, and so on. If you have problems with the intestines, you need to contact the doctors as soon as possible and get qualified help.
Pregnancy: implantation
Pain in the lower abdomen (in the middle) in women can be So, after the merger of male and female gamete cells begin to actively divide and gradually descend into the uterine cavity. Here there is an introduction of fetal membranes into the wall of the organ. This process is accompanied by minor damage to small capillaries and pain.
It is worth noting that not all women feel such discomfort. In more than half of the cases, implantation occurs asymptomatically. Everything is explained by the fact that this pain very insignificant. Sometimes implantation of the fetus in the uterus is accompanied by a short one-day bleeding. After one week, a woman can take a home pregnancy test and get a positive result.
Menstruation
Pain in the lower abdomen in women before menstruation is a very common phenomenon. Approximately 80 percent of all representatives of the weaker sex feel this discomfort. Sometimes this is due to a physiological feature and low pain threshold. In other cases, pathology is detected.
Painful sensations can begin a few hours before the onset of bleeding and persist for the first few days. To alleviate your condition, try not to engage in physical activity during this period, but to rest more. It is also worth visiting a gynecologist and finding out if such a reaction of the body to monthly bleeding is normal.
Ovulation
During the release of the egg from the ovary, the walls of the follicle are stretched and ruptured. This may cause minor pain. It is worth noting that such discomfort is very short-term and most often does not repeat every cycle. Pain during ovulation spreads to the middle of the abdomen and radiates to one side.
Pregnancy and the threat of its termination
Dull pain in the lower abdomen in women (in the middle) may occur during the bearing of the baby. In this case, you should immediately postpone your affairs and visit a doctor, but it is better to call an ambulance. At the same time, symptoms such as the release of blood from the genital tract, a decrease in the strength of toxicosis, and so on can also join.
The normal state of the uterus during pregnancy is supported by a hormone called progesterone. It contributes to the fact that the genital organ is in a relaxed state and does not try to push the fetus out. If the amount of this substance decreases, then contractions begin, leading to similar pain.
Cause of pain - neoplasm
Pulling pain in the lower abdomen (in the middle) in women is sometimes a symptom of a tumor. Often this is a benign functional formation that has grown due to a slight hormonal failure. Such cysts on the ovaries pass through several cycles and do not cause any harm to the woman's health. However, sometimes a tumor can still have the same benign character, but be non-functional. In this case, it begins to grow for some reason, affects neighboring organs and causes a feeling of heaviness, pain and discomfort in the lower abdomen in the middle.
Malignant tumors are much less common. They usually appear in older women. Such neoplasms must be treated as soon as possible. To correct the condition, surgery and the subsequent course of recovery of the body.
Endometriosis is an insidious enemy
Pain in the lower abdomen (in the middle) in women may have hormonal causes. Often this is the development of endometriosis. It is worth noting that doctors still cannot find out the main cause of the development of pathology. Some say that sex during menstruation leads to endometriosis. Others argue that it is exclusively a hormonal disease. Be that as it may, with this pathology, the patient can feel quite severe pain in the lower part of the peritoneum. They increase during menstruation and subside somewhat by the middle of the cycle. Bleeding is more profuse with the presence of chocolate-colored clots.
With endometriosis, the contents of the inner layer of the uterus grows where it should not. The most common pathology of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, abdominal and so on. Treatment may be conservative or surgical. After correction, pain in the middle of the abdomen in women disappears without a trace.
Pathology of the bladder
Often, pain in the lower abdomen in the middle occurs with cystitis. In this case, it is about inflammatory process V bladder. Often a woman also complains about frequent urges to urination, during which there is pain, burning and itching.
Cystitis must be treated with antimicrobial and diuretic drugs. However, before that, you need to pass tests that will help identify the sensitivity of microorganisms to certain drugs. After the correction, the pathology disappears, and with it, pain and discomfort in the abdomen in the middle are eliminated.
and her appendages
The pain that appears in the lower abdomen in women and is localized in the middle may indicate an inflammatory process. Doctors call it metritis, endometritis, and also use other terms. Inflammation often becomes the result of an infection that was not cured in time, which was obtained through sexual contact. At acute form the course of a woman notes an increase in body temperature, weakness, headache, and so on. When does inflammation become chronic form, we can talk about the addition of selections unusual color with an unpleasant odor, a feeling of pain during sexual intercourse, and so on.
Treatment of inflammation is carried out for a long time with the use of numerous medications. However, after the correction, the pain disappears and no longer bothers the patient. It is worth noting that women who have had inflammation are at risk. Often the pathology is repeated, and the symptoms reappear.
Summarizing
You have now become aware of what can be the cause of pain in the lower abdomen in women. Remember that if symptoms appear, you should visit a doctor as soon as possible. Many women are saved from malaise with antispasmodics. However, these drugs do not solve the problem, but only muffle the symptoms. This can lead to disastrous consequences and various complications. Regularly examined by a gynecologist and be always healthy!
Diana asks:
What does pain in the upper abdomen mean?
Clinical significance of the symptom of pain in the upper abdomen
With the appearance of pain in the upper abdomen, first of all, one should think about the organs of the abdominal cavity projected onto the upper section of the anterior wall of the abdomen, such as:- stomach;
- duodenum;
- liver;
- gallbladder;
- pancreas;
- spleen.
In addition, pain in the upper abdomen also occurs with many rather heterogeneous diseases, such as:
- disease spinal column(gastralgic form of osteochondrosis);
- pathology of the anterior abdominal wall (hernia of the white line of the abdomen);
- development of inflammatory processes in the abdominal cavity (subphrenic abscess).
To correctly diagnose, doctors, first of all, try to establish the exact localization of pain (in the epigastrium, in the right or left hypochondrium).
The so-called detail pain syndrome, during which the patient will be asked questions about the severity of pain, its intensity, nature (stabbing, cutting, cramping pain, etc.), irradiation (where the pain gives off), factors that increase and decrease pain.
What can suddenly appear sharp pains in the upper abdomen mean (in which cases it is necessary to seek emergency medical help)
Sharp pain in the upper abdomen when a gastric or duodenal ulcer perforatesPain in the upper abdomen during perforation of a stomach or duodenal ulcer is dagger-like in nature. The pain syndrome has an extremely high intensity, so often patients from the first minutes of the disease take a forced position with their knees pressed to their stomachs.
Such severe pain quite often leads to the development of a clinic. pain shock: the heart rate increases (up to 100 beats per minute and above), blood pressure decreases ( systolic pressure 100 mmHg and below), patients are covered with cold clammy sweat and are in prostration.
Pain in the upper abdomen during perforation of a gastric or duodenal ulcer is accompanied by retraction of the anterior abdominal wall in the epigastrium (navicular abdomen), a powerful protective tension of the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall (board-shaped abdomen) develops a little later.
Such a characteristic picture of the disease is connected with the fact that when the ulcer perforates through the hole formed into the free abdominal cavity gastric contents are poured out, mixed with hydrochloric acid and protein-dissolving enzyme - pepsin. As a result, the so-called chemical peritonitis develops - inflammation in the abdominal cavity associated with the aggressive effects of gastric contents.
As a rule, perforation of an ulcer occurs during an exacerbation of the disease, but sometimes the so-called "silent ulcers" first appear in this way. Average age patients with perforated stomach or duodenal ulcer - 40 years. In men, such a severe complication occurs 7-8 times more often than in women.
If a perforated gastric ulcer is suspected, emergency hospitalization is indicated in surgery department hospital. The treatment of this pathology is exclusively surgical.
Acute pain in the upper abdomen due to myocardial infarction
Acute pain in the upper abdomen occurs with the so-called gastralgic form of myocardial infarction. Such clinical picture characteristic of necrosis of the posterior wall of the left ventricle and interventricular septum. These parts of the heart are in close proximity to the diaphragm, which causes characteristic localization pain syndrome.
In such cases, pain in the upper abdomen is accompanied by signs of disorders of the digestive tract, such as nausea and vomiting (usually single).
Myocardial infarction in the gastralgic form can be recognized by the presence of symptoms characteristic of heart damage, such as:
Suspicion of myocardial infarction is an indication for emergency hospitalization in the intensive care unit of a hospital. Intensive care is needed to save the patient's life.
Sharp pain in the upper abdomen in acute pancreatitis
Pain in the upper abdomen in acute pancreatitis has a girdle character. A pain attack, as a rule, develops suddenly after a gross violation of the diet (most often there is excessive consumption of fatty and sweet foods in combination with alcohol).
In acute pancreatitis, pain in the upper abdomen has a wide area of irradiation - it radiates from the front to the right and left supraclavicular and subclavian spaces, and from behind under both shoulder blades, to the spine and to the lower back.
The pain syndrome is accompanied by nausea and repeated vomiting, which does not bring relief to the patient. Often after the next emptying of the stomach, the pain intensifies.
The pancreatic gland normally secretes proteolytic enzymes into the gastrointestinal tract; when it becomes inflamed, these enzymes corrode the gland tissues (in severe cases, complete necrosis of the organ is possible) and enter the bloodstream, causing general intoxication of the body.
It is the combination of pain in the upper abdomen with signs of pancreatogenic toxemia that makes it possible to accurately diagnose acute pancreatitis even before laboratory tests. Signs of intoxication with gland enzymes include the following symptoms:
- cyanosis (cyanosis) of the face, trunk and (less often) extremities;
- ecchymosis (hemorrhage in the form of spots irregular shape) on the lateral surfaces of the abdomen;
- petechiae (pinpoint hemorrhages) around the navel and on the buttocks.
Acute pain in the upper abdomen with hepatic colic and acute cholecystitis
hepatic colic is a specific pain syndrome associated with impaired patency of the biliary tract. The most common cause of hepatic colic is cholelithiasis (blockage of the biliary tract by a stone or / and reflex spasm of the smooth muscle of the biliary tract in response to irritation by an outgoing calculus).
Pain in hepatic colic is localized in the right hypochondrium and has a cramping character. Pain syndrome gives up, under the right collarbone and back, under the right shoulder blade.
Pain in the upper abdomen with hepatic colic is combined with nausea and vomiting, usually a single one, which does not bring relief to the patient. In typical cases, an attack is easily stopped by taking standard antispasmodics (No-shpa, etc.).
In cases where taking antispasmodics brings only short-term relief, the attack lasts several hours and is combined with an increase in body temperature with chills and the appearance of symptoms of intoxication (weakness, lethargy, headache), one should think about acute cholecystitis.
At this time, the blood gradually accumulates under the capsule, stretching it. Then there is a rupture of the capsule, clinically manifested acute pain in the upper abdomen, worse when lying down, and signs of internal bleeding.
The duration of the light interval depends on the intensity of bleeding and can range from several hours to several days (cases are described when acute internal bleeding developed 2-3 weeks after the injury).
Two-stage liver rupture is an extremely dangerous complication, often leading to lethal outcome. Therefore, for any injuries of the abdomen, chest and lower back, accompanied by the appearance of pain in the upper abdomen, it is best to do an ultrasound of the abdominal organs in a timely manner.
Acute pain in the upper abdomen with traumatic and spontaneous ruptures of the spleen
Traumatic ruptures of the unchanged spleen are much less common than traumatic ruptures of the liver, this is due to the smaller size of the spleen and its more favorable anatomical location.
The clinical picture of traumatic ruptures of the spleen, with the exception of the localization of the pain syndrome, is similar to the clinic of liver ruptures. Pain in severe damage to the spleen is localized in the upper abdomen on the left, and radiates to left collarbone and under the left shoulder blade.
Just as in the case of subcapsular ruptures of the liver, it is quite difficult to make a diagnosis of subcapsular rupture of the spleen without the use of appropriate equipment.
Of particular danger are spontaneous (spontaneous) ruptures of the spleen, which quite often complicate diseases accompanied by a significant increase in the organ (tuberculosis, leukemia, malaria, etc.).
In such cases, rupture of the spleen can provoke a slight push to the left hypochondrium, flip flop patient in bed, coughing, laughing, sneezing, etc.
If pain in the upper abdomen on the left occurs after an injury, or in patients with the threat of spontaneous rupture of the spleen, then an urgent need to consult a doctor.
With spontaneous ruptures, as well as with severe traumatic injuries of the spleen, urgent removal of the organ is carried out. Small tears are sutured. The prognosis for timely assistance is favorable, without a spleen a person can live indefinitely.
Acute pain in the upper abdomen with right-sided pneumonia and pleurisy
Sharp pain in the upper abdomen may indicate damage to the respiratory system. In particular, such localization of the pain syndrome often occurs when right sided pneumonia.
What can occasional pains in the upper abdomen mean (which doctor should be consulted routinely)
Pain in the upper abdomen chronic diseases stomach and duodenumPain in the upper abdomen in chronic diseases of the stomach and duodenum are localized in the epigastrium ("under the pit of the stomach"), and have a constant or paroxysmal character.
As a rule, with exacerbations of diseases, permanent dull aching pain, which increase some time after eating (with inflammatory processes in the stomach 30-60 minutes after eating, with inflammation of the duodenal mucosa after 1-1.5 hours).
Peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, on the contrary, causes a tendency to prolonged constipation, which is associated with a violation of the motor function of the intestine.
For inflammatory processes in the gastric mucosa, occurring with increased secretion gastric juice, as well as for peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, heartburn and acid belching are specific. Appetite is usually increased.
All diseases of the stomach and duodenum are characterized by nausea and vomiting, which brings significant relief. With gastritis with hyperacidity vomiting often occurs early in the morning, on an empty stomach, due to nocturnal hypersecretion of gastric juice. Especially often this symptom is detected in chronic alcoholics.
With gastritis with reduced acidity, nausea appears some time after eating, and for peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, "hungry" sour vomiting is characteristic, which occurs at the height of an attack of pain and relieves pain.
Gastric cancer most often develops against the background of gastritis with reduced acidity, malignant degeneration of stomach ulcers (cancer ulcer) is less common. Sometimes oncological disease occurs against the background of relative health (as a rule, in such cases we are talking about magnlinization (malignancy) of benign gastric polyps).
Pain in the upper abdomen with stomach cancer usually appears in the later stages of the disease. The pain syndrome in such cases is not associated with food intake and is most often permanent. When the tumor grows into the wall of the stomach, the pain becomes gnawing and worries the patient most often at night.
What tests and examinations can the doctor prescribe for suspected gastritis or peptic ulcer
Pain in the upper abdomen with chronic cholecystitis
Pain in the upper abdomen in chronic cholecystitis is localized on the right. In this case, the epicenter of pain is felt on the border between the internal and middle third costal arch (place of projection of the gallbladder).
As a rule, pain in chronic cholecystitis is associated with dietary errors (especially the sick gallbladder does not like fatty fried foods) and is often stabbing or cramping. Pain syndrome gives up, to the right collarbone and back, under the right shoulder blade.
There are calculous and acalculous chronic cholecystitis. Both types are significantly more common in women. Calculous cholecystitis is a kind of complication of cholelithiasis and accounts for up to 90-95% of cases. chronic cholecystitis.
It is calculous cholecystitis that most often occurs with characteristic attacks of hepatic colic. However, it should be noted that it is far from always possible to establish the type of cholecystitis clinically, since characteristic attacks of cramping pain can be caused not only by calculi (gallstones), but also by spasms of the biliary tract. Therefore, to set accurate diagnosis carry out whole line additional research(study of bile, ultrasound, etc.).
In the period between attacks, patients are disturbed by dull aching pains in the right hypochondrium, aggravated after a violation of the diet, psycho-emotional stress, physical activity, shaky driving.
Pain in the upper abdomen in chronic cholecystitis is combined with dyspeptic symptoms, such as belching with air, unstable chair, heartburn and a feeling of bitterness in the mouth , flatulence .
Often chronic cholecystitis is complicated by obstructive jaundice - characteristic syndrome, which is based on mechanical disturbance passage of bile through the biliary tract.
In such cases, the bile does not enter the duodenum, resulting in discoloration of the feces, and is absorbed into the bloodstream, giving a characteristic greenish-yellow tint to the skin and whites of the eyes. Part of the pigment substances that make up bile is excreted in the urine, which as a result acquires the color of dark beer.
Obstructive jaundice is accompanied by excruciating skin itching associated with the toxic effect of substances that make up bile and color the skin.
Over time, patients with chronic cholecystitis develop asthenic syndrome, characterized by such features as:
- weakness;
- fast fatiguability ;
- decreased memory function and attention;
- mood lability with a tendency to depression;
- headache;
- sleep disorders.
- acute and chronic cholangitis (inflammation of the intrahepatic bile ducts);
- sharp and chronic pancreatitis(inflammation of the pancreas);
- secondary biliary cirrhosis of the liver.
What tests and examinations can the doctor prescribe for suspected cholecystitis
Pain in the upper abdomen in chronic pancreatitis
Pain in the upper abdomen in chronic pancreatitis is localized depending on the affected area of the pancreas. The fact is that this gland is adjacent to back wall abdominal cavity and bends over the spinal column in such a way that its head is in right half abdominal cavity, and the body and tail - in the left.
Therefore, with inflammatory processes localized in the head of the pancreas, pain is felt in the upper abdomen on the right and in the epigastrium, and with damage to the body and tail - on the left and in the epigastrium.
With a total lesion of the gland, the pain takes on a girdle character, strongly resembling an attack of acute pancreatitis.
The intensity of the pain syndrome in chronic pancreatitis is usually quite high. The pain is felt as cutting, tearing, boring or shooting. In this case, the pain gives to the spine, to the collarbones and under the shoulder blades from the corresponding sides.
Pain in the upper abdomen gets worse horizontal position and slightly relieved in a sitting position with an inclination forward, so that with a pronounced pain syndrome, patients take a forced position: they sit in bed, pressing their legs bent at the knees to their stomach.
Chronic pancreatitis is characterized by a special daily rhythm of pain: as a rule, patients feel best in the morning, pain appears or intensifies in the afternoon and increases in the evening, and subsides during the night. Hunger relieves pain, so patients often try in every possible way to limit themselves in food.
The pain syndrome in chronic pancreatitis is combined with other signs of a violation of the gastrointestinal tract, such as:
- increased salivation;
- belching with air or food eaten;
- nausea, vomiting;
- flatulence;
- aversion to fatty foods;
- decreased appetite.
Clinically, this is manifested by a peculiar change in the nature of the stool - steatorrhea (literally fatty stool). Fecal masses acquire a grayish color and a mushy consistency, droplets of fat and fibers of undigested food are visible on their surface.
Because of high content fat feces in chronic pancreatitis stick to the walls of the toilet bowl and are poorly washed off - this is often the first sign that patients pay attention to.
Another specific symptom chronic pancreatitis - a significant weight loss (sometimes up to 15-25 kg). Such emaciation is associated both with forced food restrictions during pain attacks, and with impaired absorption of nutrients in the intestines.
With a long course of chronic pancreatitis, the following complications are possible:
- cachexia (exhaustion);
- violation of the patency of the duodenum (compression of the enlarged head of the gland);
- violation of the patency of the common bile duct with the development of complications from the liver.
What tests and examinations can the doctor prescribe for suspected chronic pancreatitis
Pain in the upper abdomen with pancreatic cancer
Pain in the upper abdomen with pancreatic cancer usually appears already on late stage diseases. The pathology clinic largely depends on the location of the tumor in the pancreas.
appear relatively early clinical symptoms diseases in malignant degeneration of the head of the pancreas. The fact is that in such cases, even with a relatively small size of the tumor, the patency of the common bile duct is often disturbed, into which the ducts of the pancreas, liver and gallbladder flow.
As a result, attacks of hepatic colic develop and a long-lasting obstructive jaundice, which over time gives the patient's skin a shade of black bronze.
When located malignant neoplasm in the body or tail of the gland, pain in the upper abdomen appears much later. Often, the onset of pain syndrome is preceded by nonspecific signs of disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, such as a feeling of heaviness in the upper abdomen, nausea, loss of appetite, belching with air, flatulence, etc.
The pain syndrome in cancer of the body of the pancreas, as a rule, has a very high intensity, which is associated with the germination of the tumor in the solar plexus. The pains are boring or gnawing in nature, radiate to the spinal column and lower back, and disturb patients most often at night.
If a malignant tumor of the pancreas is suspected, they turn to an oncologist. Treatment and prognosis largely depend on the stage of the disease.
What tests and examinations can a doctor prescribe if pancreatic cancer is suspected?
Pain in the upper abdomen with liver disease
Pain in the upper abdomen is rarely the main symptom of liver damage. The fact is that the liver parenchyma does not have nerve endings, so even significant pathological changes in the organ may not be accompanied by severe pain.
A significant increase in the size of the organ inevitably leads to stretching of the liver capsule, which contains a large number of nerve receptors. Thus, a pain syndrome develops, the severity of which will depend on the rate of increase in the volume of the liver: from intense arching pains to a feeling of discomfort and heaviness in the right hypochondrium.
Another mechanism for the occurrence of pain in the upper abdomen in liver diseases is associated with a violation of the discharge of bile through the intrahepatic and extrahepatic ducts. In such cases, the pain is localized in the right hypochondrium, reaches a high intensity and has a stabbing, cutting or cramping character, often resembling attacks of hepatic colic. Such pain is specific, for example, for acute alcoholic hepatitis, which, as a rule, proceeds against the background of cholestasis (stagnation of bile), for acute and chronic cholangitis, for secondary biliary cirrhosis.
And finally, pain in the upper abdomen in liver diseases may occur due to the development concomitant pathology in neighboring organs with which the liver is functionally connected (pancreas, gallbladder, duodenum) or due to the characteristics of the circulatory system (spleen).
The liver is a polyfunctional organ, therefore, with its serious lesions, in addition to pain in the upper abdomen, signs of systemic disorders develop, united under the name "major hepatic symptoms", such as:
Of course, in such cases, the disease is very difficult to treat. Therefore, with the periodic appearance of pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen on the right, in no case should you self-medicate. Timely seeking specialized medical care is the best way to maintain and restore health.
What tests and examinations can a doctor prescribe if a liver disease is suspected
Pain in the upper abdomen with lesions of the spleen
Pain in the upper abdomen with damage to the spleen most often develops due to stretching of its richly innervated capsule, which is observed with an increase in the organ. Much less often, pain syndrome occurs when inflammation passes to the peritoneum (perisplenitis), as happens, for example, with abscesses or infarcts of the spleen.
The intensity of pain in the upper abdomen associated with an enlarged spleen is usually not high. Quite often, pain with an enlarged spleen is felt as a feeling of heaviness in the left hypochondrium or discomfort in the left side of the abdomen.
All cases of enlarged spleen can be divided into several large groups. Quite often, the cause of an enlarged spleen is working hypertrophy organ. It must be said that the spleen is an important organ immune system kind of gigantic lymph node, filtering the blood, so an increase in its tissue occurs in such cases as:
- acute and chronic infectious diseases (infectious mononucleosis, malaria, sepsis, tuberculosis, etc.);
- systemic autoimmune aggression in the body (systemic lupus erythematosus, serum sickness).
Another fairly common cause dull pains in the upper abdomen on the left - an increase in pressure in the portal vein system, leading to the deposition of blood in the spleen and congestive increase organ. This development of events is typical for cirrhosis of the liver.
In addition, an enlargement of the spleen occurs with malignant proliferation (multiplication) of hematopoietic cells lymphocytic line. So, for example, the spleen is significantly enlarged with lymphomas, and with chronic lymphocytic leukemia it can reach gigantic sizes.
Since the spleen performs a hematopoietic role during embryogenesis, this function can be pathologically revived in some malignant tumors blood such as chronic myelogenous leukemia.
Prolonged enlargement of the spleen leads to the development of hypersplenism - a syndrome, the main manifestations of which are a decrease in the number of blood cells (erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets).
Clinically, pancytopenia (a decrease in the number of cellular elements in the blood) is manifested by symptoms of anemia (weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath with little physical exertion, pallor of the skin and visible mucous membranes), leukopenia (a tendency to infectious diseases), thrombocytopenia (bleeding gums, nosebleeds, subcutaneous hemorrhages ) and with the progression of the process can lead to dangerous complications (sepsis, internal hemorrhages).
Therefore, if pain or discomfort appears in the upper abdomen on the left, you should contact your general practitioner in a timely manner. In the future, depending on the cause of the enlarged spleen, the help of an infectious disease specialist, rheumatologist, immunologist, gastroenterologist, hematologist or oncologist may be needed.
Treatment of hypersplenism syndrome, as a rule, is radical - removal of the spleen. The prognosis depends on the cause of the development of pathology.
Pain in the upper abdomen with epigastric hernias of the white line of the abdomen
Pain in the upper abdomen can also occur with epigastric hernias of the white line of the abdomen. The white line of the abdomen is a plexus of tendon bundles of three paired wide abdominal muscles, which stretches from the xiphoid process of the sternum down to the pubic joint.
Between the fibers of the white line of the abdomen there are slit-like spaces through which the vessels and nerves pass. Through these "weak spots" hernias come out, while it is the epigastric (subcutaneous) region that is a favorite place for the exit of hernias of the white line of the abdomen.
At the initial stages of the formation of a hernia, a portion of the preperitoneal fatty tissue penetrates through the defect in the divergence of the fibers of the white line of the abdomen, forming the so-called "preperitoneal lipoma".
The preperitoneal tissue compressed in the hernial orifice may contain nerve fibers, Related solar plexus. Therefore, the clinical picture of a hernial protrusion that is still invisible to the eye may resemble the symptoms of diseases of the organs of the upper floor of the abdominal cavity, such as stomach ulcers, cholecystitis, etc.
Some help in the diagnosis can be provided by the fact that the pain in the upper abdomen with an epigastric hernia is not associated with food intake, but may increase after physical exertion on the press, as well as after coughing, laughing, straining, etc.
Since hernias are steadily progressive diseases, the gap in the white line of the abdomen will gradually increase, and over time, a sheet of peritoneum with hernial contents will penetrate there, and a hernia will form.
Epigastric hernias of the white line of the abdomen rarely reach large sizes, therefore, in obese people they are often detected only with such a complication that is quite common for this type of hernia, such as hernia incarceration.
Infringement of a hernia occurs in the following way: with a sharp increase in intra-abdominal pressure (straining, coughing etc.) through a defect in the white line of the abdomen (hernial orifice), a significant amount of viscera comes out under the skin, then intra-abdominal pressure drops, and the hernial orifice narrows, and part of the viscera does not have time to slip back into the abdominal cavity and is clamped in the hernial orifice.
Most often, the omentum is infringed in epigastric hernias, but sometimes more important internal organs (stomach wall, small or large intestine, gallbladder) can fall into such a trap.
Clinically, a strangulated hernia is manifested by increased pain in the upper abdomen and extreme pain on palpation in the hernia area, which in such cases is usually determined visually.
Incarceration of a hernia is a rather dangerous complication, since blood circulation in the strangulated organs is disturbed and their necrosis may develop.
Therefore, if there is pain in the upper abdomen in the middle, suspicious of an epigastric hernia, you should contact the surgeon in a timely manner. The treatment of this disease is exclusively surgical. The prognosis for timely treatment is quite favorable.
What tests and examinations can a doctor prescribe if a hernia of the white line of the abdomen is suspected
Pain in the upper abdomen with osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Pain in the upper abdomen can also occur with osteochondrosis - a disease of the spinecharacterized by systemic degenerative changes V intervertebral discs, as a result of which the stability of the spinal column is disturbed and complications from the nervous system develop.
So, with osteochondrosis of the thoracic vertebrae, the nerves emanating from the spinal cord are clamped, which often causes symptoms of damage to the internal organs of the upper floor of the abdominal cavity.
Quite common gastralgic syndrome that occurs when the spine is damaged in the upper and middle thoracic region. In such cases, there chronic pain in the upper abdomen in the middle, resembling pain in gastritis.
Significant help in the diagnosis can be provided by the fact that these pains are not related to food intake, do not depend on the quality of the food consumed, but increase after physical work. A specific sign of pain in the upper abdomen with osteochondrosis is an increase in pain in the afternoon and subsidence after a night's rest.
In addition, in such cases, as a rule, other signs of osteochondrosis are also expressed, such as:
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