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Stomach ache - causes, treatment and home remedies
Stomach pains occur in a wide variety of diseases in a wide variety of types and severity. They may be due to mental factors, accompany gastritis (gastritis) or may indicate a malignant event. In any case, pain in the epigastric area that persists for a long time or may recur over and over, possibly accompanied by general symptoms such as fever or nausea and vomiting, should be consulted by a doctor. Especially when the symptoms are sudden and severe, a specialist or a specialist is required.
contents
- Different types of stomach ache
- Causes of stomach ache
- Mushroom poisoning and food allergy
- Cause gastritis
- stomach ulcer
- Pain in the stomach due to malignant diseases
- Diagnosis and treatment
- Naturopathic diagnostic methods
- Naturopathy for stomachache
- Home remedy for pain in the stomach
Different types of stomach ache
Gastric pain can occur in a variety of ways. So these are described by those affected as burning, oppressive, boring or piercing. Often the symptoms are associated with loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, disgusting of certain foods or fever. The stomach pains concentrate on the epigastric area or radiate into the environment down to the back.
Stomach pain often occurs along with other complaints such as nausea and vomiting. (Image: SENTELLO / fotolia.com) The symptoms may occur as a function of the intake of food, take place between meals, only manifest in a fasted state or be present without a break. It is possible that they torture those affected out of nothing, or disappear just as they have occurred.
Causes of stomach ache
One possible cause is the irritable stomach, also called gaster nervosum. Those affected suffer from recurrent complaints, which occur mainly in the middle upper abdomen. These are bloating, stomach pressure, cramps, loss of appetite, eventually regurgitation, nausea and vomiting.
The examination is usually without pathological findings. The stomach pains, associated with a stomach irritation, come and go and are often found in times of stress. In some cases there is an infection with the Helicobacter pylori. Also the connection with a chronic gastritis (gastritis) is discussed. In patients suffering from an irritable stomach, food allergies and so-called intolerances are becoming more common.
Often a gastrointestinal influenza (gastroenteritis) is responsible for the pain. This can be caused by pathogens such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, EHEC or contaminated food. In gastroenteritis, both the stomach and the intestine are involved. Typical symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and possibly fever.
Mushroom poisoning and food allergy
Mushroom poisoning can also be the trigger. The food poisoning, which was caused by inappropriate storage of mushrooms, is to be distinguished from a "right" mushroom poisoning. In this disease, the symptoms vary depending on the type of fungus consumed. Sufferers suffer from stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. There are also complaints such as sweating, inner restlessness, confusion, hallucinations, dizziness or tiredness. The longer the fungi stay in the body, the more dangerous the poisoning becomes.
If a mushroom intoxication is considered as a trigger for the stomach discomfort, the rescue service should be called immediately. For example, the tuber-leaf mushroom, even in small quantities can be deadly. (Image: Style-Photography / fotolia.com) Food allergies are increasingly on the rise. The body reacts inappropriately to a particular food. Almost any food can cause an allergic reaction. The resulting symptoms are manifold. These include inflammation of the oral mucosa, burning stomach pains, bloating, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and intestinal spasms. However, skin (see itchy rash), lungs and circulation may also be responsive to the food being delivered.
Cause gastritis
Pain in the stomach area can be caused by a gastritis (gastritis). This can be both acute and chronic. An acute gastritis is usually caused by stimuli, such as excessive alcohol or nicotine consumption or in connection with a stress situation, such as is given during an operation. The use of certain medications, such as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), which have an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect, but other side effects can attack the gastric mucosa, is to be mentioned as another potential cause.
Bacteria or spoiled foods can also cause stomach pain and trigger acute gastritis. Those affected suffer from a feeling of pressure in the epigastrium, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. In case of erosive gastritis, in which the mucous membrane of the stomach has defects, vomiting blood or so-called tarry stools (black bowel movements) may be added.
The chronic form of gastritis is relatively common. There are three main reasons for this. Firstly, an autoimmune event in which the body forms autoantibodies against certain cells of the gastric mucosa and thereby causes chronic inflammation. In this form, there is an increased risk of developing stomach cancer. The second and most common cause of chronic gastritis and related stomach pain is the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which colonizes the stomach. The third type, chemo-toxic gastritis, is caused by reflux of bile, by various noxae, such as nicotine and alcohol, and by the use of analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Acute gastritis is often the result of excessive alcohol and nicotine consumption or drug abuse. (Image: kake / fotolia.com) stomach ulcer
The symptoms may indicate gastric ulcer. Possible causes for this are again the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, but also an imbalance in the stomach between the protective and attacking substances. Likewise - as with gastritis - medications can be the reason. Those affected suffer from rather nonspecific symptoms, such as burning, piercing pain in the epigastrium (upper abdomen). However, immediate pain immediately after meals or diet-related pain are an indication of gastric ulcer. Unfortunately, one-third of patients experience discomfort only when complications have already occurred.
Pain in the stomach due to malignant diseases
Stomach pain can also be an indication of a malignant event. Risk factors for gastric carcinoma include pre-existing conditions such as chronic gastritis, nicotine consumption, food-borne nitrosamines found in sausage and meat products, colonization of the stomach with Helicobacter pylori and a familial predisposition.
Regrettably, typical symptoms do not exist. Patients may experience prolonged exposure to a "sensitive" stomach but have no other symptoms. It is only at a later stage that people lose weight, work becomes more difficult every day, and they suffer from nausea, pain and disgust for certain foods, but especially meat and sausage. Anemia can also occur with gastric carcinoma due to constant blood loss. Similar symptoms also occur in pancreatic cancer.
Diagnosis and treatment
Especially with recurring pain in the epigastrium or if they occur suddenly and massively, it is essential to consult a doctor. Even if severe concomitant symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or fever are added, medical attention should be sought.
The doctor asks about the type of pain, frequency and possibly temporal relationship with the meals. In addition, the belly is scanned. With a special breath test bacteria of the genus Helicobacter pylori can be detected. This bacterium can cause a variety of symptoms. A proof of the Helicobacter antigens in the stool is also a possible diagnostic method. The X-ray double-contrast representation used here earlier to prove the damage is, however, being used less and less frequently today. In contrast, the upper abdominal ultrasound is a gentle, regularly used examination method, which is used for example for the detection of gallstones, pancreatic tumors or intestinal obstruction. In addition, CT (computed tomography) and MRI (abdominal magnetic resonance imaging) are commonly used diagnostic procedures. In gastroscopy (gastroscopy), the stomach is examined from the inside by means of an endoscope and tissue can also be removed. The diagnosis is rounded off by the consideration of different laboratory values.
A Helicobacter pylori infection can be detected by the physician using a breath test. (Image: Artemida-psy / fotolia.com) The treatment of stomach problems depends on the diagnosis. Important for a successful therapy is the discontinuation of drugs that have an adverse effect on the gastric mucosa. But also stress, alcohol and nicotine should be avoided at all costs.
Depending on the nature of the pain, medicines are used that release cramps, have a protective effect on the mucous membrane of the stomach, have an anti-inflammatory effect or stimulate digestion. If it is based on a psychological component, calming measures and stress reduction such as relaxation exercises, meditation, yoga or autogenic training are suitable.
Likewise, the diet is reconsiderable. If it is too sour, too hot or too sweet, it can have a negative effect on the stomach and thus cause pain. If an infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori has been detected during the investigation, an attempt is made to eliminate it. For this purpose, a combination of two antibiotics and an acid inhibitor is prescribed for a period of seven days.
Naturopathic diagnostic methods
In natural medicine special diagnostic methods exist. For example, the facial or facial diagnosis. Certain facial features indicate certain diseases and predispositions. Thus, the lips and nasolabial fold (wrinkles that extend to the corners of the mouth from the nostrils on the left and right) correspond to the gastrointestinal area. A weak fold usually belongs to a sensitive stomach, while a pronounced shape may indicate a stomach ulcer.
Foot reflexology therapy not only allows for healing, but also for diagnosis. Color changes, changes in the tissue, warts or pressure tenderness in the gastric zone indicate a disturbance. Another diagnostic medium is the iris diagnosis. Each organ in the body corresponds to a zone in the iris. An experienced therapist knows how to read in the eyes and draw conclusions from them.
In many naturopathic practices tongue diagnostics is used. The tongue is divided into different zones, each of which has a corresponding association with the organs. Also changes in the tongue coating may indicate a disease. For example, a white-tipped tongue or a very red tongue tip may be an indication of gastritis.
Iris diagnosis is based on the assumption that all parts of the body and organs are connected to the iris of the eye via nerve tracts. (Image: Henrie / fotolia.com) Naturopathy for stomachache
In naturopathic therapy of upper abdominal pain, of course, the first priority is to get to the root cause of the complaints. Body, soul and mind have to be considered together in order to treat the person as well as possible.
Stomach pain often affects people who can not digest problems in their lives, leave everything with them and then rebel their stomach. Especially the gastritis, whether acute or chronic, often occurs in stressed managers who have no time for healthy and regular food and project all their trouble into the stomach. Treated with the gastritis, the symptoms associated with homeopathic remedies, such as chamomilla (chamomile), which helps to relieve burning pain and Nux vomica (Brechnuss), which performs well in pressure and fullness. Bryonia (turnip) can be helpful if the food is like a stone in the stomach.
For gastric problems there are a variety of complexing agents that contain anti-inflammatory and beneficial stomach plants. A warm, moist abdominal compress supports the treatment. Alternatively, a hot water bottle or a cherry stone pillow provide soothing warmth.
Home remedy for pain in the stomach
A proven home remedy for stomach pain is the so-called Rollkur with chamomile, because the valuable ingredients of the medicinal plant have a calming, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic. In the application - as the name implies - "rolled", that is, it is always changed the situation, so that one has turned at the end once around its own axis. The ingredients of chamomile can thereby act on the entire stomach lining.
Instructions for Camomile Rollkur
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Nicotine, coffee, alcohol, sugar, milk and hot spices are to be avoided. Likewise, "sour" foods such as fruit tea, sour fruits and raw foods should not be consumed. In addition to conventional medical treatment of a gastric ulcer, the naturopathic methods can supportive. Here also different homeopathic remedies are used. The neural therapy, which is used for stomach pain, especially in the area of the costal arch, can be quite pain-relieving by the reflex influence of the stomach area.
For all diseases associated with gastric pain, a diet that does not contain strong spices and predominantly basic foods should be considered. Irritating substances such as alcohol, nicotine and coffee are to be avoided. Regular relaxation, proper chewing ("fletching"), and enough time for food intake are important to relieve the stomach and achieve healing.
Helpful home remedies for gastrointestinal influenza can be, for example, healing clay or an envelope containing boiled, crushed potatoes.
In mild pain often a tea from medicinal herbs is very beneficial and soothing. If the stomach tea is home-made, you know exactly which ingredients are contained and can vary the hot drink according to taste and complaints. In the case of gastritis, for example, an infusion of chamomile, mint and lemon balm is recommended. These herbs ensure that cramps are resolved and the affected gastric mucosa can calm down and regenerate.
Herbal tea for stomach ache
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In general, fennel tea is highly recommended for stomach disorders, as its ingredients have an antispasmodic and soothing effect on the entire gastrointestinal tract. Accordingly, he can for example also perform well as a home remedy for flatulence or bloated feeling. (sw, nr, last updated on 22.8.2017)
Specialist supervision: Barbara Schindewolf-Lensch (doctor)