Causes of a Persistent Stomach Ache
Everyone at some point in time has had a stomach ache. It may have been nothing to worry about or it may have led one to visit the ER.
A stomach ache is one of the conditions that we deal with from a young age. Children of all ages and adults all get stomach aches.
But a persistent stomach ache can be a cause to worry. It may signify a deeper condition or just the stomach flu that one needs to treat.
Here are some common causes of a persistent stomach ache and how to treat it.
Indigestion
Persistent stomach ache – Tablets for Indigestion
Indigestion causes stomach pain in the upper part of the body. Most times, indigestion signifies an underlying problem. It is mostly a symptom of ulcers and gallbladder disease.
Symptoms of indigestion include bloating, belching and gas, heartburn and a burning sensation in the upper abdomen. If you use excess alcohol and medication that is not friendly to the stomach, you are at risk of getting indigestion.
You can treat indigestion by mostly eliminating many of the causing factors. You can start by avoiding alcohol. You can also treat it through doctor-prescribed drugs and limiting how much food you eat.
Constipation may cause a persistent stomach ache
Constipation is a stomach condition that causes difficulty and reduces the frequency of bowel movements.
Again, everyone experiences constipation every once in a while. A bloated stomach and difficulty having a bowel movement are some of the symptoms associated with constipation.
Stress, a diet low on fiber and water, a high dairy intake and refusing to go to the toilet are some of the causes of constipation.
To treat persistent stomach aches caused by constipation, ensure that you take lots of water, and enrich your diet with fiber. Drinking warm liquids and regular exercise will also help.
Stomach flu
Persistent stomach ache – stomach flu
The stomach flu is another cause of persistent stomach pain. The stomach flu is a bacterial infection in your digestive tract that causes inflammation and irritation in your intestines and stomach. Its symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Fever accompanied by headaches is another symptom you may have when you suffer from stomach flu. For children, dehydration is the main symptom.
It is medically known as gastroenteritis.
You can easily treat stomach flu at home. Consume lots of liquids and avoid solid food to control diarrhea. You also need lots of rest to ensure to regain your strength from the regular vomiting and diarrhea sessions. Avoid over-the-counter drugs.
If it persists or the pain becomes unbearable, it is best to see a doctor for proper testing and diagnosis. The doctor will then prescribe the best drugs for your condition.
Inflammatory bowel disease
Persistent stomach aches can also be caused by inflammatory bowel disease. IBD is caused by ulcers in the colon and Crohn’s disease. These two conditions cause inflammation in the intestinal tract which may lead to abdominal pain.
The symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease include persistent stomach aches and diarrhea, blood in stool, extreme fatigue and weight loss.
Inflammatory bowel disease Is a serious condition. You need a doctor to test and diagnose you for it. Further, it can only be treated with the drugs as prescribed by a doctor.
You can also get vaccinated against it.
Peptic ulcers
Peptic ulcers also cause persistent stomach pain. These are open sores within the intestinal tract. Gastric ulcers affect the stomach while duodenal ulcers affect the duodenum.
Ulcers are caused by bacteria as opposed to eating spicy foods as many people think. Stress can exacerbate their occurrence although it does not cause them.
Symptoms of ulcers include a persistent burning sensation and upper stomach pain, nausea and an inability to keep down fatty foods. Staying on an empty stomach also causes peptic ulcers to cause a burning sensation in the stomach.
To treat and control peptic ulcers, avoid stress and other factors that may cause ulcers such as eating raw food. Also, avoid alcohol and smoking. If you are on medication, let your doctor know that you suffer from ulcers.
This will help them give you the best medicine that will not cause your ulcers to burn. Eat regular meals to ensure stomach acid does not find an empty stomach which could affect your ulcers. A good diet also helps lower stomach pain.
Persistent stomach pain on different parts of the stomach
Different types of stomach pain have different causes. Pain in different areas of the stomach has different causes.
Pain in the upper part is most likely caused by ulcers or pancreatitis. On the lower part of the stomach, pain could be caused by IBD or constipation.
It is best to visit a doctor for testing and diagnosis.
Conclusion
A persistent stomach ache can be a dangerous condition. Do not wait long before you see a doctor to help you diagnose and lower your stomach pain.
Also, do your best to avoid the many causes of persistent stomach pain.
