In the transition from the thoracic cavity into the abdominal esophagus opens into the hollow organ – the stomach. It is impossible to define its form, because it depends on the amount eaten, constitutional peculiarities, age, gender.
The location of the stomach
The lean people, it is in an upright position, resembling a stocking, fat – more horizontally. At normal body longitudinal axis is placed obliquely (like a hook).
The human stomach has several parts, each of which performs its function:
1. Cardiac. The lower esophageal sphincter opens in this Department. Food initially interacts with the mucosa, enveloped in acidic content triggers the process of digestion.
2. The bottom. The extended part is located to the left of the cardiac. It is located directly under the diaphragm, it collects the free gas. Often on the radiograph of the chest shows a darkened area near the heart. We should not think about disease. This is just a portion of the air.
3. Body. This is the main part of the human stomach, where the food and the processes of digestion. Glands secrete enzymes to break down proteins also produce hydrochloric acid.
4. The gatekeeper goes into the duodenum. Food portions is evacuated through the pyloric sphincter (a ring-shaped contraction of muscles) as needed. In this Department the secreted biologically active substances gastrin, somatostatin, motilin.
The stomach is an important organ of the digestive system. Here is the initial breakdown of proteins, carbohydrates, absorption of water, minerals. Hydrochloric acid is an activator of many enzymes, also performs a protective function. Most microorganisms cannot multiply in the environment with low pH, because immediately after the ingestion of dying. The normal operation of the body prevents the development of anemia, violations of electrolyte composition of blood. Because it is impossible to ignore the pain in my stomach. It may occur as a result of spasm, or be a symptom of a dangerous disease.
Pain in the stomach arise when changes occur in any of the parts, because to determine the cause must be examined in all its departments.
Two-thirds of the organ located in the left upper quadrant and one third in the epigastrium (area above the navel). Distinguish:
- The anterior wall.
- A back wall.
- A small curvature (a concave edge facing up and to the right).
- Greater curvature (convex, looking down and to the left).
But various pathological processes of a tumor, increasing the surrounding structures change the position of the body. Because to say where the stomach is possible only after palpation, percussion, additional research methods.
The abdominal organs are not located in isolation, they are connected to each other by ligaments, and serous membranes. The human stomach is touching:
1. The front surface near the left lobe of the liver, swollen loops of small bowel, abdominal wall.
2. The left and top of the body adjacent to the diaphragm, the pain can give in the heart, and Vice versa.
3. Near the back wall located the pancreas, the upper pole of the left kidney with adrenal gland, mesentery, colon.
4. Near the bottom of the stomach is the spleen.
The cause of the pain
Patients often complain that they have stomach aches, while pointing to the belly. Initially, the doctor must determine which organ is affected. Because diseases of the pancreas, gall bladder, duodenal ulcer have similar symptoms.
The main causes of pain include:
- 1. An improper diet. Eating fried, fatty, salty, spicy food injure the mucosa.
- 2. Non-observance of temperature regime. Too hot food causes burns.
- 3. Food on the move. For normal digestion is necessary thorough chewing, a sufficient amount of saliva. In the mouth the products are prepared for further splitting.
- 4. The pain is caused by eating poor quality food. Published shelf life, contamination with microorganisms, their toxins leads to intoxication, inflammatory reaction.
- 5. Frequent stress increase the production of hydrochloric acid.
- 6. Abdominal trauma can cause rupture of organs, hemorrhage.
- 7. Accidental ingestion of chemical compounds.
- 8. Some groups of drugs (NSAIDs) damage the mucosa.
- 9. In gastritis, peptic ulcer, cancer, polyps people would complain that his stomach hurt.
The nature of the discomfort
The patient should pay attention, when did the abdominal pain.
Time plays an important role in the diagnosis of major diseases, the pain are:
- 1. Early. If you have a stomach 15-30 minutes after eating, most likely, the affected cardiac region, the bottom of the body.
- 2. Later appear in 1-1.5 hours after eating indicate ulcer, gastritis, pancreatitis, cancer.
- 3. The hunger pain occurs between meals, most commonly found in ulcerative lesions of the stomach, duodenum.
In most cases, the person is stomach in the left upper quadrant and epigastric pain, because these areas are the center of discomfort.
The nature of the pain is:
- Sharp.
- Stupid.
- Aching.
- Arching.
- Compressive.
- Pulling.
- Stitching.
- Cutting.
- Dagger pain.
The patient is never observed, only one symptom is usually a related complaint, that allow the doctor make a preliminary diagnosis.
Disease
1. Gastritis.
There are acute and chronic forms. In the first case, pain in the stomach dull, aching. The patient for a long time not pay attention to them. Acute process is characterized by more pronounced changes. Discomfort in the abdomen associated with food deterioration occurs in 30 minutes after a meal. The patient may notice a certain pattern: some products are well tolerated, others cause aggravation.
Additional complaints:
- Nausea, vomiting.
- A feeling of heaviness, overflow in the stomach.
- Belching sour, rotten.
- Heartburn.
- General weakness, pallor, dry skin.
- Loss of appetite.
2. Ulcer.
The disease is characterized by the formation of defects of the mucous membrane. Threat the fact that symptoms do not always meet the gravity change. Deep lesions may not manifest clinically. Sick do not seek help, medication, as complaints are minimal. In this case, the risk of complications is high. Perforation and bleeding are life-threatening. If my stomach hurts even slightly, it is better to consult a doctor.
Features ulcers:
- The breakout observed pains in the stomach, the pain is stabbing in nature.
- The human condition close to the shock: pale skin, clammy sweat, shortness of breath and pulse.
- Typical cyclic current: alternating periods of remission with relapses (fall, spring).
3. Cancer.
Pain in the stomach is stupid, most people feel some discomfort. This condition is not food-related. It is recommended to consult a doctor if the following symptom:
- Aversion to meat diet.
- Rapid weight loss in a short period of time without changes in diet and physical activity.
- Pallor of the skin.
- Loss of appetite, feeling of fullness, heaviness, even with a minimum amount of food.
- My stomach hurts constantly, exercise, stress did not affect the severity of discomfort.
4. Infection.
In cases of poisoning, the use of poor quality products on the forefront of nausea, vomiting, upset his chair. To the above complaint joins stomach pain. Often the patient can point to specific product that arouses suspicion. Additionally there is an increase of temperature, General weakness, dehydration.
What to do?
Independently difficult to understand, why hurt the body. The reasons are varied, treatment depends on the specific situation. Mandatory research method – endoscopy. The doctor visually evaluates the condition of the mucosa, presence of defects, redness, ulcers, takes a biopsy (piece of tissue).
1. If there is a gastritis or ulcer, the patient has a tummy ache due to excessive exposure to hydrochloric acid on the shell. Used proton pump inhibitors (Omeprazole, rabeprazole) must H2-histamine antagonists (Ranitidine, Famotidine). Almagel, aluminium phosphate gel, bismuth preparations protect the surface from the action of irritating factors. In case of a positive test Helicobacter pylori is assigned antibiotic therapy.
2. Cancer is a serious disease. To self-medicate you should not. After the examination is determined by the size, stage, grade of malignancy. Considering all the possible surgical treatment, radiation or chemotherapy.
3. Stomach often hurts for poisoning. In this case, the first priority is flushing and replacing fluid loss. If vomiting ceased, the patient must drink plenty of water. If not – shown intravenous saline solutions, glucose. In home non-medical person it can be done.
If any discomfort should consult a doctor. If the stomach ache for a long time, can not make their own drugs. It can only do harm. There are cases when the patient accurately indicates the reason: abuse of spicy, fried foods, alcohol. If these symptoms arose only once, not accompanied by uncontrollable vomiting, weight loss, aversion to meat food for several days is recommended to follow a strict diet. The improvement in the need to continue to adhere to the principles of proper nutrition. Doctor’s consultation is required despite the sparing diet.
