What The Location Of Your Bellyache Reveals About Your Health
Chaitra has a triple main bachelor’s degree in journalism, communicative English, and economics from St. Aloysius College, Mangalore, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from St... read full bio
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The belly is one of the most important parts of our body. It not only consists of our stomach and the intestines, but also the liver, the appendix, and endocrine glands like the gall bladder. The lower abdomen is also home to our reproductive organs and urinary bladder. Hence, it is very important to attend to any kind of pain or discomfort that you experience in the belly area. The pain can be of varied intensity and nature according to the cause. This is why it is necessary to know about the possible reasons why you may experience bellyache. Here are a few reasons why you experience a certain type of pain in different parts of the belly:
Pain In the Upper Abdomen- Excess Gas
If you feel a dull pain in the upper abdominal region that seems to be moving from side to side, the culprit is probably excess gas. You might feel like burping or passing gas during this time and you also feel like your stomach has bloated. There are many reasons why excessive gas can get collected inside the body including eating too fast and gulping down the food carelessly. Certain food items like carbonated drinks, dairy products, and beans can also cause gas formation in the stomach. To avoid the situation, chew well before you eat and eat slow. Also, try to consume less of the food items that can cause gas. Drink hot water and rub the area and burp the gas out if possible. If the pain persists, consult a doctor (1).
Pain In the Lower Chest Area- Heartburn
If you experience pain and a burning sensation in the area below your chest, the reason could be heartburn. The pain occurs in the area between your chest and your abdomen and you may sometimes feel like something is stinging you from inside. In extreme cases, you can feel the burning sensation climb up to your throat and make you really uncomfortable. Heartburn usually occurs when you eat a lot of oily and spicy food. If you experience heartburn there are food items that you may want to stay away from like raw onions, pickle, citrus fruits, chocolate, and beverages that contain coffee. Also, drinking alcohol and smoking can worsen heartburn. Try to eat less spicy and oily food, avoid alcohol and smoking, and wear loose clothing to prevent excess pressure on your tummy. Check with your doctor to know if you need medication (2).
Severe Pain In The Upper Abdominal Area- Ulcer
If you feel blindingly severe pain in the upper abdominal area where your stomach is located, you may have an ulcer or multiple ulcers inside. Ulcers occur when the lining of your stomach wall gets damaged. This damage can happen due to many reasons like too much stomach acid or low level of mucus that becomes a protective layer against the acid. Helicobacter pylori bacteria, prolonged use of certain pain killers like aspirin and ibuprofen and other medications like steroids and anticoagulants can also cause ulcers. Smoking, drinking alcohol, untreated stress, and eating too much oily and spicy food can worsen the situation. Ulcers can be painful and dangerous which is why it is important to seek medical assistance as soon as possible (3).
Cramping And Bloating- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common issue that takes a toll on the large intestine. The symptoms include pain in the abdominal area, cramping, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation. You might notice mucus or blood in the stool and you may experience a sudden and uncontrollable urge to pass motion. This means that the issue is chronic and it’s high time that you consult a doctor. IBS takes some time to get cured and you may need to follow a controlled diet with medication (4).
Severe Pain In The Upper Right Belly Area- Gallstone
Your gall bladder small and has a shape similar to that of a pear. It is located right below the liver, on the upper right part of your abdomen. It secrets a digestive fluid called the bile juice and this fluid can harden and form gall stones inside the organ. You may experience pain in the upper right abdominal area, the top, the center part of the abdomen right below the breastbone, your right shoulder, and at the back between your shoulder blades. The other symptoms of gallstones are nausea and vomiting. People who experience the symptoms may need to get the gallbladder removed. But the stones that cause no symptoms are usually left without any treatment (5).
Cramps In The Lower Belly- Menstruation
If you’re experiencing cramps in the lower belly, you might be getting closer to your periods date. The pain sometimes extends towards your back and legs as well. You might experience fatigue, nausea, and mood swings. Just use a hot water bag in the area, eat god food, and take plenty of rest (6).
There are many other reasons that can lead to pain in the belly area like appendicitis, lactose intolerance, gluten intolerance, and gastroenteritis (stomach flu). If you feel that the pain is chronic and doesn’t get better after a day or two, make sure you consult a doctor immediately. It’s always better to be sure now than sorry later.
