The true causes of pain in the intestines

Pain in the intestines are manifested by a specific feeling of discomfort, distress and pain in the abdominal area. These pains are usually associated with functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract as a result of injury or disease. There are important facts about this pain that everyone should know.

Possible causes of intestinal pain

• Pneumonia (lung inflammation)
• Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
• Pleurisy (irritation of the mucous membrane around the lungs)
• Pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lungs)

Functional problems of intestinal pain:

• Non-ulcer dyspepsia (discomfort after eating, but not due to an ulcer, but for other reasons)
• Sphincter dysfunction
• Bile duct valve problems
• Functional abdominal pain (pain in the intestines without a clear cause)
• Irritable bowel syndrome (pain associated with bowel movements)

Cancer of the upper abdomen is one of the causes of intestinal pain:

• Hepatoma (liver cancer)
• Cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct problem or gallbladder cancer)
• Pancreas cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Lymphoma (cancer of immune cells)

Vascular problems – the source of pain in the intestines provokes pain in the intestines:

• Mesenteric problems of vascular insufficiency (blockage of arteries or veins)
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm (tumor of the main arteries in the abdomen)

Inflammatory diseases in the middle and lower abdomen often lead to pain in the intestines:

• Enteritis (small intestinal infection, Crohn’s disease)
• Colitis (infection or inflammation of the colon)
• Diverticulitis (inflammation of pouches that form in the colon)
• Appendicitis

Intestinal obstruction as a consequence of untreated pain in the intestines:

• Adhesions (scars on the abdomen that have lost their shape after surgery or become inflamed)
• Tumor
• Inflammation
• Colon Cancer
• Pain in the urinary tract:
• Kidney stones
• Urinary tract infections (kidneys, bladder)
• Kidney or bladder tumors

Pelvic problems in women are often the cause of intestinal pain:

• Ovarian cysts
• Cancer
• Tubal infection (salpingitis)
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Fibroids tumors of the uterus
• Malignant tumors of the uterus or cervix
• Endometriosis
• Adhesions (scars)

Although there are several possible causes of bowel pain and abdominal pain, there are seven most common causes for bowel pain:

• Intestinal diseases
• Food poisoning
• Gases
• Upset stomach or heartburn
• Pain in the abdominal muscle
• Menstrual pain
• Constipation

Organs most often affected by intestinal pain

• Organs associated with digestion are the stomach, tissues at the end of the esophagus, small and large intestines, liver, gallbladder and pancreas.
• The abdominal aorta is a large blood vessel that runs straight from the chest into the abdominal cavity.
• The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that lie deep in the abdominal cavity.

However, there are times when the pain may come from another location, such as the chest or pelvic area. It could also be a generalized infection, such as the flu or strep throat, that affects the entire body. In addition, pain of intestinal origin can be localized anywhere, since the boundaries of the abdomen are quite large. The abdomen is an anatomical region that borders the lower edge of the ribs and above, the pelvic bones on each side. Therefore, the pain can radiate to these areas and be quite severe.

Referred pain in the intestines

In rare cases, intestinal pain that is felt in the abdomen is not related to the abdominal organs. There is a theory that explains this simply: abdominal pain has an unusual ability to travel along deep nerve pathways and exit in areas far from the source of the problem. For example, the lower part of the lungs, kidneys, uterus and ovaries can project abdominal pain. This type of pain is called referred, referred, or wandering pain because although it is located outside the abdomen, it is a problem in the abdominal area.

Some examples of referred pain:

• The right shoulder can project pain onto the diaphragm, gall bladder, liver capsule…
• The left shoulder can project pain to the diaphragm, spleen, part of the pancreas, stomach, flexure of the spleen, lungs…
• Pain in the right shoulder blade can radiate to the gallbladder, bile ducts…
• Pain in the left shoulder blade can radiate to the spleen, part of the pancreas

Bowel pain can also be:

Visceral, associated with organs that spasm

Intestinal pain associated with the area in the lower abdomen – it is often sharp and persistent. The pain that occurs due to inflammation in the abdomen is quite stable. This pain is exacerbated by tension in the peritoneum as a result of positional changes.

Pain associated with abdominal vascular disorders (thrombosis or embolism) may be sudden or gradual at the beginning, and severe or moderate at the end. Pain associated with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm may radiate to the back, side, or genitals.

The problem is that the intensity of the pain does not always reflect the severity of the condition causing it. That is why every pain should be reported to the doctor, and as quickly as possible. The severity of the condition has more to do with the suddenness of the pain, especially if it is a sharp pain localized to one region rather than spread throughout the entire abdominal cavity.

Pain in the abdominal wall – referred pain to the intestines:

• Shingles (infection due to herpes zoster)
• Inflammation of the rib cartilage
• Injury (causing muscle pull)
• Nerve irritation (neuropathy)
• Hernia
• Scars
• Inflammatory diseases of the upper abdomen:
• Peptic ulcer (duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer)
• Esophagitis (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
• Gastritis (irritation of the stomach lining)
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder)
• Choledocholithiasis (passage of gallstones through the bile duct)
• Hepatitis (infection or inflammation of the liver)
• Colitis (infection or inflammation of the colon)

Localization of intestinal pain

Pain around the navel

Pain that is localized near the navel may be associated with a slight intestinal disorder or inflammation of the appendix. This disease is called appendicitis. The area of ​​pain is a small, finger-thick organ that protrudes from the colon in the lower right abdomen. If the passage of food through it is obstructed, inflammation may develop and the appendix will be filled with pus.

Pain above the middle abdomen

The central region of the abdomen is called the epigastric region. Pain in this area is most often associated with stomach disorders. Persistent pain in this area may also indicate a problem with the duodenum, pancreas, or gallbladder.

Pain in the upper left abdomen

Although it is very rare for people to experience pain in the area where it is actually present, it can be assumed that this is a problem in the colon, stomach, spleen and pancreas.

Pain in the upper right abdomen

Inflammation of the gallbladder often causes severe pain in the right upper abdomen.

Pain in the lower abdomen

Pain below the belly button may indicate signs of colon disease. In women, pain in this area may also indicate a urinary tract infection or pelvic inflammatory disease.

Pain in the lower left abdomen

Pain in this part of the abdomen most often indicates a problem in the lower part of the colon. There are several conditions that can affect this area, such as inflammatory bowel disease or infections in the colon known as diverticulitis.

Pain in the lower right abdomen

Inflammation of the colon can cause pain in the lower right side of the abdomen. Pain from appendicitis may also spread to the right lower abdomen.

How to understand the nature of pain in the intestines

Abdominal pain can be a manifestation of various diseases, including the intestines, and with all this, rarely can a person say that the pain comes specifically from the intestines.

Although both intestinal pain and abdominal pain can be localized to the tissues of the abdominal wall that surround the abdominal cavity, the term “abdominal pain” is generally used to describe pain originating from the abdominal organs.

Types of intestinal pain

Abdominal pain can be acute and sudden at the beginning or chronic and long-lasting at the end.

In terms of intensity, abdominal pain may be minor and not particularly worry the person, or it may reflect underlying problems associated with one of the abdominal organs.

When a person needs to worry about his condition with severe pain in the intestines

The patient should know that pain in the intestines is always an abnormal condition, but there is no need to panic. Although some types of pain may indicate a serious illness, they are not always a medical emergency. But moderate or chronic pain should still be discussed with your doctor. Severe pain should be diagnosed as soon as possible. Therefore, if you have severe pain in the intestines, you should definitely go to the clinic.

Some of the serious symptoms of intestinal pain are

• fever
• diarrhea,
• persistent constipation,
• blood in stool
• persistent nausea or vomiting
• vomiting blood,
• severe pain in the abdominal area,
• jaundice
• swelling in the abdominal area

Treatment of intestinal pain

Drugs most often used for this purpose:

Antidepressants, such as amitriptyline. These drugs can be taken in very low doses to minimize side effects.

Anti-inflammatory drugs. Sometimes these drugs are used to reduce inflammation or affect the functioning of internal organs, thereby relieving pain.

Analgesics. Sometimes the pain needs to be treated with drugs to relieve bowel pain.

Tips for reducing intestinal pain

Intestinal diseases, food poisoning or abdominal muscle pain in children can be eliminated by warming the tummy in a hot bath.

Pain in the intestines due to gas – this is where tummy massage should be used to try to move the gas bubbles together. A warm bath can help with this difficult task.

Indigestion or heartburn – Medications such as antacids, which are typically used to relieve heartburn, can help. Drinking warm milk can also soothe heartburn.

Pain in the intestines is a symptom that very seriously indicates any disease. This pain can be reduced or cured, you just need to consult a doctor in time.