Stitching in the belly is the sensation of pain in the abdominal region that appears due to conditions related to the consumption of foods rich in carbohydrates and lactose, for example, which lead to the production of excessive intestinal gas or constipation.
However, when the pain in the belly is accompanied by other symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, fever and malaise, it may indicate some situations that require confirmation of the diagnosis by a family doctor or gastroenterologist. Treatment to improve pain in the stomach depends on the cause of this symptom, however medications may be indicated to reduce pain, bloating or intestinal gas.
To help identify possible causes of your stomach pain, please answer the following questions:
This tool should only be used as a guide to try to identify the possible cause of pain in the stomach, therefore, it should not replace a consultation with a doctor, who is the professional capable of confirming the diagnosis and recommending appropriate treatment.
Causes of pain in the stomach
The main causes of pain in the stomach are:
1. Intestinal gases
Intestinal gases are produced in the stomach or intestine, mainly due to the fermentation of foods that contain a lot of carbohydrates and lactose. Some types of legumes such as beans, chickpeas and lentils, certain vegetables such as cabbage and cauliflower and carbonated drinks are also related to increased intestinal gas.
In some cases, the occurrence of intestinal gas is associated with certain health problems, which may include lactose intolerance, hypochlorhydria, worms and irritable bowel syndrome. When intestinal gases are produced in excess, they can cause symptoms such as pain in the stomach, burning in the throat, pain in the chest and constant belching. Learn about other causes of intestinal gas.
What to do: Intestinal gases do not normally cause any other health problems, however, the discomfort caused by pain in the stomach can cause anxiety and discomfort. To relieve and eliminate intestinal gas, it is recommended to drink plenty of water during the day, eat calmly, chewing your food well and avoid drinking liquids during meals. Medicines with simethicone, such as Luftal, can be used to relieve symptoms.
2. Constipation
Constipation, also known as constipation, occurs when the frequency of bowel movements is reduced or when the stool becomes hard, requiring excessive effort during bowel movement.
This condition occurs due to several factors that are mainly associated with inadequate intake of fiber and water and the lack of physical activity, with the appearance of some symptoms such as swelling and pain in the belly, occurring due to the accumulation of feces and production of intestinal gases.
What to do: Treatment for constipation consists of changing habits, such as increasing the intake of foods rich in fiber and drinking adequate amounts of water, on average 2 liters per day. You must also maintain discipline regarding evacuation times, not holding back the urge, as this worsens the consistency of the stool and causes the progressive loss of the evacuation reflex.
If constipation occurs very frequently and bowel habits are never regular, it is recommended to seek care from a family doctor or gastroenterologist to further investigate the causes and recommend laxative medications, for example, to facilitate the passage of feces.
See more ways to combat constipation in the video below:
3. Appendicitis
Appendicitis is a disease that occurs due to inflammation of the appendix, which is a small organ located at the tip of the large intestine. This inflammatory disease occurs due to the obstruction of the appendix with remains of feces and causes symptoms such as stitching in the belly, more specifically in the lower part of the right side, vomiting, fever, loss of appetite and general malaise.
When symptoms appear, it is recommended to seek medical attention quickly, because of the risk of the appendix rupturing and contaminating other organs in the abdomen with bacteria, causing suppurative appendicitis. To confirm the diagnosis of appendicitis, the doctor may recommend tests such as ultrasound, blood count and type I urine.
What to do: After confirming the diagnosis, treatment consists of surgery to remove the appendix and after the surgical procedure, the doctor may prescribe analgesics to relieve pain and antibiotics to prevent the emergence of other infections. Find out more about how appendix removal surgery is performed.
4. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome is an intestinal disorder characterized by changes in bowel habits, and the person may experience periods of diarrhea interspersed with constipation. This disorder causes symptoms such as urgency to have a bowel movement, elimination of mucus from the rectum and abdominal discomfort, bloating, distension and pain in the belly.
These symptoms tend to present gradually, and a person who has irritable bowel syndrome does not always experience all of these symptoms. The causes of this syndrome have not yet been well defined, but its appearance may be linked to intestinal hypersensitivity to certain foods.
The diagnosis is made by a gastroenterologist based on the person’s clinical history, but additional tests may be requested to exclude the existence of other diseases.
What to do: For the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, the gastroenterologist may prescribe fiber-based medications to regulate the functioning and microbiota of the intestine, antispasmodics to relieve pain and medications to help reduce bloating, bloating and flatulence, such as antiflatulents . It is also important to follow up with a nutritionist to define a more appropriate diet.
5. Urinary tract infection
Urinary tract infections occur when the urinary tract becomes contaminated by bacteria, the most common of which are Escherichia coli and the Staphylococcus saprophyticus, or fungi, mainly of the genus Candida sp. Women are more susceptible to this type of infection because the urethra is shorter and consequently it is easier for microorganisms to reach the site and cause infection.
Symptoms of a urinary tract infection can be burning and stabbing pain in the belly when urinating and if the infection reaches the kidneys, it can cause pain in the lower back. The diagnosis of this type of infection is generally made by a general practitioner, gynecologist or urologist through blood and urine tests.
What to do: Treatment for urinary tract infections is based on relieving pain and eliminating bacteria from the urinary tract using antibiotics, such as trimethoprim and ciprofloxacin. Some natural remedies can be used as complementary options, such as wild cranberry juice.
6. Gallstones
Gallstones, also known as cholelithiasis, are a condition that occurs when stones, called calculi, form inside the gallbladder, an organ that helps with the digestion of fat. Symptoms arise when a stone obstructs the bile tube, leading to nausea, vomiting and stabbing pain in the belly.
The formation of gallstones begins when the bile becomes overloaded with fat from the liver and the diagnosis of this condition must be made by a general practitioner or gastroenterologist through tests, such as abdominal ultrasound.
What to do: Treatment for gallstones consists mainly of surgery to remove the stones and the use of antibiotics to prevent the emergence of widespread infections in the body.
Some home remedies can be used in the complementary treatment of gallstones, such as burdock and pocket tea, as they help to reduce gallbladder inflammation. Check out other home remedies for gallstones.
7. Menstrual cramps, pregnancy or ovulation
Menstrual cramps occur because of the spasms of the uterus during menstruation and lead to stabbing pain in the belly area. However, at the beginning of pregnancy, a woman may feel a stabbing sensation in the belly or twinges, which occur due to hormonal changes and changes in the structure of the uterus. However, if any bleeding occurs along with the stabbing sensation, it is important to see a gynecologist immediately.
Furthermore, during ovulation, also called the fertile period, follicles are released to be fertilized by sperm and during this process the woman may feel a twinge in her stomach. See how to know when your fertile period is.
What to do: If menstrual cramps last more than 72 hours and are very strong, it is recommended to consult a gynecologist to investigate whether the person has any disease, such as endometriosis, for example. In cases of pain in the stomach during pregnancy, it is important to observe whether there is bleeding, as if this happens it is necessary to seek medical attention quickly. And as for the pain in the belly during the fertile period, these disappear when the phase of the woman’s cycle changes.
When to go to the doctor
It is recommended to seek medical attention as soon as possible when symptoms other than pain in the stomach appear, such as:
- Fever;
- Intestinal bleeding;
- Vomiting for more than 24 hours.
These signs may also indicate other health problems and, to confirm the diagnosis, it is necessary to consult a general practitioner or gastroenterologist quickly.
