Stomach pain sensitivity: Root causes, signs, and healing methods
Abdominal tenderness, a common complaint, can be a sign of various conditions affecting the digestive and reproductive organs. From sports injuries to chronic diseases, it's crucial to understand the causes, symptoms, and treatments associated with abdominal tenderness.
**Appendicitis** When the appendix becomes inflamed due to blockage and infection, appendicitis occurs. Symptoms include sharp abdominal pain starting near the belly button and shifting to the lower right abdomen, tenderness, nausea, vomiting, fever, and sometimes loss of appetite. Typical treatment involves surgical removal (appendectomy), often accompanied by antibiotics pre- or post-surgery to treat infection.
**Gastritis** Gastritis is a condition where the stomach lining becomes inflamed or swollen. It can be caused by a bacterial infection (such as H. pylori), excessive alcohol consumption, the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), stress, or autoimmune conditions. Symptoms include abdominal tenderness or pain (usually upper abdomen), nausea, vomiting, bloating, and indigestion. Treatment includes antacids to reduce stomach acid, proton pump inhibitors, antibiotics if a bacterial infection is present, and lifestyle modifications such as avoiding irritants.
**Diverticulitis** Diverticulitis occurs when small pouches (diverticula) in the colon become infected or inflamed. This condition is often linked with a low fiber diet, constipation, age, and gut flora imbalances. Symptoms include localized tenderness, especially in the lower left abdomen, abdominal pain ranging from mild to severe, changes in bowel habits (constipation or diarrhea), nausea, vomiting, fever, bloating, and sometimes blood in stool. Mild cases may be treated with antibiotics, dietary changes (increasing fiber), and rest. Severe cases might require hospitalization or surgery.
**Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)** IBD refers to chronic inflammation of the digestive tract, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, of unclear exact origin but involving immune dysregulation. Symptoms include abdominal pain and tenderness, diarrhea (possibly bloody), weight loss, fatigue, and sometimes fever. Treatment involves anti-inflammatory drugs, immune suppressors, biologics, dietary management, and occasionally surgery to remove affected bowel segments.
**Sports Injuries** Trauma or strain to abdominal muscles or organs during physical activity can lead to abdominal tenderness. Symptoms include localized tenderness, bruising, swelling, pain worsening with movement or certain activities. Treatment includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE), pain relievers, physical therapy, and, in severe cases, imaging and specialist care.
In all cases, early medical evaluation is important to confirm diagnosis and initiate appropriate treatment, especially when symptoms include severe pain, fever, vomiting, or changes in bowel habits. Proper treatment can be provided once the cause of abdominal tenderness is determined. Environmental factors, genetics, or a combination of these can trigger IBD.
References: [1] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Abdominal pain.
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