Gastric pain, or pain affecting the stomach, is a common ailment in the United States. Statistics from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases from 2004 reveal that between 60 million and 70 million people are affected by digestive diseases in the nation, causing almost $142 billion in total medical costs. In addition, one-fifth of the American population suffers with gastroesophageal reflux disease, known as GERD. If you're dealing with stomach pain, it's important to see your physician as gastric problems can be serious. Pain in this area can also be misleading, having nothing to do with the stomach.
Causes
A number of diseases and medical conditions can cause stomach pain, with some of the most common being ulcers, GERD and gastritis. Peptic ulcers are sores that develop on the inner lining of the stomach. The burning gastric pain associated with ulcers is a result of the sore coming into contact with the stomach's acids. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a more serious form of acid reflux and involves stomach acids entering the esophagus. Although the problem occurs in the esophagus, pain near the stomach or mid-abdomen can occur. Inflammation of the stomach's lining can also cause pain; this is called gastritis and develops because of bacteria, injury, overuse of pain relievers or high alcohol consumption. You may experience burning aches in the stomach area as well as nausea and loss of appetite.
Effects
Not treating gastric pain can have serious consequences for your health. Gastritis, for example, can lead to ulcers because both conditions are caused by the same bacteria. Untreated ulcers can result in internal bleeding and infections. Ulcers can also cause scarring of the stomach, while untreated GERD can lead to scarring of the esophagus. These common sources of gastric pain may increase your risk of developing cancer; chronic gastritis is associated with an increased risk for stomach cancer while GERD can lead to the development of cancer cells in the esophagus.
Misconceptions
You may be mistakenly attributing pain or discomfort in the abdominal area to the stomach organ. For example, although certain conditions that cause diarrhea occur because of intestinal issues, you may label it as having an "upset stomach." Such conditions include irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulitis, which is a condition involving swelling of an abnormal pouch typically located in the large intestine. That's why it is essential to see a doctor when you are experiencing symptoms in this area to receive an accurate diagnosis.
Treatment
Depending on your condition and its severity, your doctor may prescribe medications used to block the release of stomach acids or reduce their effects on the stomach or other parts of the body. In milder cases, over-the-counter antacids may also be recommended. In the cases of gastritis and peptic ulcers, you may also need to take antibiotics to treat the bacteria that commonly causes both of these conditions, known as H. pylori.
Personal Changes
Although medical treatment is necessary for many gastric conditions, there are things you can do to prevent or reduce complications. Avoid smoking because it can irritate the stomach's lining. It's also advisable to maintain a healthy weight and avoid any foods that increase flare-ups of your condition. If you are diagnosed with GERD, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases recommends not lying down for three hours after eating and raising your bed's head area six to eight inches. Learning stress management skills is also encouraged because stress increases the production of stomach acid. If your ulcers or GERD does not respond to medications or lifestyle changes, surgery may be required.
References
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Digestive Diseases Statistics for the United States
- MayoClinic.com: Peptic Ulcer
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Heartburn, Gastroesophageal Reflux and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
- MayoClinic.com: Gastritis
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- MedlinePlus: Diverticulitis
