Pain in the pit of the stomach is the popular name for so-called epigastric pain or epigastralgia, which is pain that appears in the upper part of the abdomen, just below the chest, a region that corresponds to the place where the stomach begins.
Most of the time, this pain is not worrying, and may indicate some change in the stomach, esophagus or beginning of the intestine, such as reflux, gastritis or poor digestion, for example, and is usually associated with other symptoms, such as heartburn, nausea, vomiting , gas, bloating or diarrhea, for example.
However, in some rarer cases, pain in the pit of the stomach may also indicate more serious conditions such as gallbladder inflammation, pancreatitis or even a heart attack. Therefore, whenever this pain appears with strong intensity and does not improve after a few hours or is accompanied by shortness of breath, dizziness, a feeling of tightness in the chest or fainting, it is important to go to the emergency room for a doctor’s evaluation.
What could pain in the pit of your stomach be?
To find out what may be causing the pain in the pit of your stomach, please answer the following questions:
This tool should only be used to try to identify the possible cause of your belly button pain. Therefore, it should not replace a consultation with a doctor, who is the professional capable of confirming the diagnosis and recommending appropriate treatment.
Main causes of pain in the pit of the stomach
The main causes of pain in the pit of the stomach are:
1. Gastritis
Gastritis is inflammation of the mucosa that lines the inside of the stomach, causing pain in the pit of the stomach that varies from mild, moderate, to intense, which is usually burning or tight and appears especially after eating.
Generally, in addition to pain, gastritis causes other symptoms such as nausea, feeling of being very full after eating, belching, excessive gas and even vomiting, which produce a feeling of relief.
This inflammation can be triggered by several causes such as an unbalanced diet rich in fried foods, stress, frequent use of anti-inflammatories, or a bacterial infection. Helicobacter pylorifor example.
What to do: treatment must be indicated by a gastroenterologist or general practitioner, who may recommend the use of medications such as omeprazole to reduce stomach acidity. In the case of infection by H. pylorithe use of antibiotics, such as clarithromycin and amoxicillin, for example, may also be indicated.
It is also important to change your eating habits, avoiding the consumption of alcoholic, spicy or highly seasoned drinks.
2. Esophagitis
Esophagitis is inflammation of the tissue of the esophagus, usually caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease or a hiatal hernia. This inflammation usually causes pain in the stomach and burning in the chest area, which worsens after meals and with certain types of food, such as caffeine, alcohol and fried foods. Furthermore, the pain is more common at night and does not improve with rest alone.
What to do: treatment is recommended by the doctor and includes medications to reduce stomach acidity, such as famotidine or omeprazole, for example, as well as lifestyle changes, such as avoiding smoking and consuming alcoholic beverages, foods high in fat, sugar and ready meals or frozen.
In some cases, surgery may be recommended to prevent food return and improve symptoms. See more details on the treatment for esophagitis.
3. Poor digestion
Eating excessively or ingesting foods that the body does not tolerate well, that are contaminated with microorganisms or that contain lactose, for example, can cause difficult digestion, with irritation of the stomach mucosa, excessive production of gases, reflux and increased intestinal motility.
The result of this is pain that may appear in the pit of the stomach or elsewhere in the abdomen, and may be accompanied by gas, diarrhea or constipation.
What to do: in these cases, the pain usually goes away after a few hours, and it is recommended to take medication to alleviate the discomfort, such as antacids and painkillers, drink plenty of fluids and eat light foods. You can also opt for home remedies, such as boldo and anise tea. Furthermore, it is also recommended to consume foods that do not irritate the stomach, such as gelatin and biscuits without filling, for example.
4. Gallstones
The presence of gallstones can cause intense abdominal pain which, although it most often appears in the upper right part of the abdomen, can also manifest itself in the pit of the stomach. The pain is usually crampy and usually gets worse very quickly, and may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
What to do: the gastroenterologist will be able to advise the use of medications to dissolve the stones and alleviate symptoms, such as ursodeoxycholic acid, as well as analgesics and antiemetics to alleviate discomfort and pain.
Some recommended techniques are shock waves and, in more serious cases, removal through surgery. It is also important to change lifestyle habits, such as avoiding the consumption of processed foods, fatty foods and red meat, for example. See the main forms of treatment for gallstones.
5. Acute pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, an organ located in the center of the abdomen and with a very important function in the digestion of food and production of hormones. In these cases, the pain almost always appears suddenly and is very intense, and can radiate to the upper part of the abdomen. The pain may also be associated with vomiting, abdominal distension and constipation.
What to do: acute pancreatitis is a medical emergency and treatment must be started quickly, to prevent it from worsening and causing generalized inflammation of the body. The first measures include fasting, intravenous hydration and the use of painkillers. If an infection is identified, the doctor may recommend the use of antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin or vancomycin, for example.
In severe cases, surgery may be indicated. Find out how pancreatitis is treated.
6. Heart attack
It may happen that a cardiac disorder, such as a myocardial infarction, presents with pain in the pit of the stomach, instead of the typical chest pain. Although it is not common, stomach pain due to a heart attack is usually burning or tight, and is associated with nausea, vomiting, cold sweat or shortness of breath.
Cardiac changes are usually suspected in people who already have some risk factor for heart attack, such as the elderly, obese, diabetics, hypertensive patients, smokers or people with heart disease.
What to do: if a heart attack is suspected, it is necessary to go immediately to the emergency room, where the doctor will carry out the first assessments to identify the cause of the pain by performing an electrocardiogram and requesting the measurement of cardiac troponins, making it possible to begin further treatment. quickly. Know how to identify the main symptoms of a heart attack and how to treat it.
7. Perforated ulcer
A perforated gastric ulcer can occur as a result of gastritis that has not been treated correctly and that has caused a lesion to appear in the stomach mucosa, resulting in pain in the middle of the chest or in the pit of the stomach.
The pain caused by a perforated ulcer is pulsating and can radiate to the back and chest, in addition to causing other symptoms such as frequent nausea, a feeling of heaviness in the stomach and vomiting, which may contain small amounts of blood.
What to do: It is essential that a gastroenterologist is consulted or that the person goes to the emergency room whenever a perforated ulcer is suspected, as this is a situation that requires immediate medical treatment.
8. Appendicitis
Generally, the pain of appendicitis may begin in the pit of the stomach, around the navel, and then may “move” to the right, with an increase in the intensity of the pain also being noted. Learn more about appendicitis.
What to do: It is important that the person goes to the emergency room immediately if appendicitis is suspected so that diagnosis and treatment can be made immediately, which is normally done through surgery to remove the appendix.
9. Pericarditis
Pericarditis is inflammation of the membrane that covers the heart and can cause pain in the chest or pit of the stomach, similar to a heart attack. In general, pericarditis can be caused by infections, such as pneumonia or tuberculosis, rheumatic diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, or radiotherapy to the chest.
What to do: The treatment of pericarditis must be guided by a cardiologist and may vary according to the type of pericarditis and its cause, with the use of analgesics, antipyretics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, diuretics or corticosteroids generally being indicated.
10. Excess gas
The presence of gas in the stomach is an uncomfortable situation that usually occurs when a person swallows a lot of air, which can be a consequence of eating a very large meal or talking while eating. Furthermore, the consumption of soft drinks and foods that cause gas, such as eggs, cauliflower or onions, can also cause gas to accumulate in the stomach.
What you want to do: Excess gas is eliminated through flatulence or belching, resulting in immediate relief of symptoms. You can prevent stomach pain by avoiding chewing gum, eating slowly and not talking too much during meals.
If stomach pain does not improve, it is recommended that you consult a doctor.
11. Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis is an intestinal condition characterized by inflammation and/or infection of the diverticulum, which is a small protrusion present in the intestinal wall. Although it occurs in the lower part of the intestine, in some cases the diverticulum may become more swollen in the upper portion of the intestine, causing stomach pain. However, this situation is more rare to happen.
Other common symptoms of diverticulitis are nausea, vomiting, fever and the presence of blood in the stool. Check out more symptoms of diverticulitis.
What to do: Treatment for diverticulitis must be guided by a gastroenterologist, and may vary according to the intensity of the symptoms and the cause of the inflammation. Therefore, the use of analgesic and/or anti-inflammatory medications may be indicated to alleviate symptoms, and antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin and metronidazole, to treat or prevent infection.
12. Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis is a situation that occurs when the stomach and intestine become inflamed due to an infection with viruses, parasites or bacteria, causing symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea and diarrhea.
Gastroenteritis typically occurs after consuming improperly stored or contaminated food and symptoms may appear shortly thereafter.
What to do: In these cases, it is recommended to consult a gastroenterologist so that an assessment can be carried out and the most appropriate treatment can be indicated, which may involve rest, drinking plenty of fluids and eating an easily digestible diet.
