Those who have irregular meals and lead a stressful life, gastric pain can become a regular occurrence. But what is gastric pain exactly and when should you call your doctor? Essentially, gastric pain refers to the discomfort or pain that originates in the upper abdomen.
Other common symptoms often associated with gastric pain include nausea, bloating, heartburn, and belching. Gastric pain is sometimes referred to as non-ulcer dyspepsia. If you experience gastric or stomach pain, one of the first things doctors would do is rule out the possible organic causes including inflammation, cancer, and ulcer.
If the tests are normal and the gastric pain is not secondary to any organic conditions, the gastric pain is considered as non-ulcer dyspepsia. Non-ulcer dyspepsia is also considered as functional dyspepsia and it is considered one of the primary causes of gastric pain.
Gastric Pain: Possible Organic Causes
Non-ulcer dyspepsia has no definitive cause. However, many doctors suspect it is strongly linked to stress. In most cases, some tests can pinpoint to the cause of the gastric pain and it includes some of the following:
Cancer
Liver, pancreatic, and stomach cancer can cause abdominal or gastric pain. Cancer can easily be ruled out during an endoscopy as small samples of the tissue can be obtained and checked for cancer cells. Another examination known as the barium meal X-ray examination may also be recommended to confirm any suspicions.
Gallstone Disease
Typically, gallstones won’t cause any symptoms or signs. However, any bile duct blockage or gallbladder inflammation may also result in severe stomach pain. In most cases, gallstones alone can also cause pain even if there is no blockage in the bile duct or inflammation in the gallbladder.
Peptic Ulcer Disease (Dyspepsia)
Most peptic ulcers are attributed to Helicobacter pylori infection. In some cases, it can also be caused by the use of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like aspirin. A blood test can be ruled out through a blood test, stool test, urea breath test or other tests that are carried out during endoscopy.
Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
This chronic condition occurs when the bile or the stomach acid flows back into the esophagus or food pipe and irritates its lining in the process. When needed, endoscopy may be done to rule out GERD. During the examination, a thin tube with a tiny camera at the end is passed through the mouth to the stomach and the duodenum.
Gastric Pain: When to See Your Doctor
You need to see your doctor if you experience gastric pain accompanied by any of the following:
- Excruciating and severe pain in the upper stomach
- Persistent vomiting after eating
- Drastic and unexplained weight loss
- Passing out black stools or vomiting blood
In addition, you also need to consult your doctor if you experience symptoms that appeared just recently. In many cases, symptoms of gastric pain are long-standing and can go back many decades. If such is the case, it is less likely to indicate any medical problems that are serious.
Gastric Pain: Tips to Avoid Them
Making simple changes can already go a long way towards helping you avoid gastric pain and its symptoms. Some of the tips to keep in mind include:
- Eat small but frequent meals. If you have indigestion, eating six small deals daily instead of three massive ones would be ideal.
- Avoid skipping meals and eat on time. This can help your stomach to get used to releasing the gastric juices only at mealtimes instead of releasing it erratically.
- Consuming foods that are not irritating. Cutting down on acidic, fatty, spicy, or fried foods can help reduce your gastric pain. It also gives your stomach time to heal.