Have you ever felt punctures in your belly? It is a frequent discomfort and has a varied origin. Holes in the stomach or ailments in the abdominal area may be due to digestive, inflammatory, or infectious dysfunctions, among others. They can also occur in women as a consequence of premenstrual syndrome.
When these discomforts recur, you must visit a specialist who can examine you to make an accurate diagnosis and provide appropriate treatment. This way, you can improve your quality of life and mood.
Below we give you some guidelines so that you know the possible causes of punctures in the abdominal area and some tips that could help you.
Contents
Types of abdominal pain
What we usually feel as stomach punctures are a series of discomforts that occur in the abdominal area. This sensation can be classified as follows:
- Widespread. The pain is felt in more than half of the abdomen. It may be due to a stomach virus, gas, or indigestion.
- Located. The punctures are felt only in one part of the abdomen. Possibly, it is a pain in an organ, such as the gallbladder, appendix, or stomach.
- Electric shock. Usually, this pain is not severe, generally due to gas and bloating. It can be accompanied by diarrhea. If the pain is more frequent, lasts more than 24 hours, and is accompanied by fever, it may be a more complex condition.
- Colic. It is a sudden and intermittent intense pain that comes and goes. Kidney and gallstones are common causes of this type of abdominal pain.
Possible Causes of Belly Punctures
Many of these conditions are temporary, while others represent a medical emergency. In any case, seeing a doctor when the alarm symptoms appear is important.
1. Food poisoning
Food poisoning occurs when the food or water we ingest contains germs or a toxin produced by them that directly attacks the body.
Food poisoning symptoms vary depending on the cause of the food contamination. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, pain and pricking in the belly, gas, and fever.
2. Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome affects the large intestine and can cause abdominal cramping, bloating, gas, and changes in bowel habits. Some people have constipation, others have diarrhea, and others may have both.
According to the US National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, doctors can treat irritable bowel syndrome by recommending changes in diet and lifestyle. In addition, they can indicate medicines, probiotics, and psychological therapies. Generally, each patient, with their doctor, can find the most appropriate treatment plan.
3. Appendicitis
Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix, a small organ that projects from the colon in the lower right side of the abdomen. In most people, the pain starts around the belly button and then moves around.
The pain is diffuse initially but can range from mild to severe, with increased temperature, vomiting, nausea, and abdominal swelling.
Since the appendix does not currently serve a specific purpose in the human body, if pain intensifies and inflammation is diagnosed, treatment involves surgery to remove the inflamed appendix.
4. Ectopic pregnancy
This condition occurs when the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tubes. The ectopic pregnancy progresses but can cause the following symptoms:
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Mild colic on one side of the pelvis.
- Absence of menstrual periods.
- Pain in the lower abdomen.
Some people experience vaginal bleeding, and others don’t, but the pain starts suddenly. These tummy twitches are sharp, persistent pangs.
The symptoms may worsen if the area around the pregnancy ruptures and bleeds. It is essential to go to the doctor because if the ectopic pregnancy is not treated in time, it can have fatal consequences for the mother.
5. Pancreatitis
The pancreas is a gland behind the stomach, in the upper part of the abdomen. When the pancreas is inflamed, it causes a burning sensation and pain in the upper or middle part of the stomach. Pancreatitis manifests with crushing despair, and the cardinal symptom is multiple episodes of vomiting. Being an acute process, there will be no evidence of weight loss.
The discomfort can appear unexpectedly and disappear in days. But it can also become chronic and last for years. Consult your doctor if, apart from the punctures in the belly, several of the following symptoms occur:
- Pain when touching the abdomen.
- Abdominal pain that worsens after eating.
- Tachycardia.
- vomiting
- Nausea.
- Fever.
- Abdominal pain that extends to the back “in the form of a belt.”
6. Diverticulitis
Small bulges that form in the inner lining of the digestive system, most often in the lower part of the large intestine (colon), are called diverticula. In general, they do not cause problems. However, sometimes they can become inflamed or infected.
In this case, diverticulitis occurs, which is more frequent in people usually over 50 years of age. Diverticulitis can cause severe abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and changes in bowel habits. While mild diverticulitis can be treated with rest, dietary changes, and antibiotics, more severe cases may require surgery.
7. Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a disease in which the endometrium, the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus, grows outside of it. It is one of the most common gynecological diseases, and its symptoms include pelvic pain and, in some cases, infertility. Although there is no cure for endometriosis, there are treatments for pain relief and infertility.
8. Cholelithiasis
The presence of stones in the gallbladder is known as gallstones or cholelithiasis. It is a condition that appears progressively and is favored in women, obese people, people over 40, and diabetics.
The clinical picture usually begins with intense pain in the upper right abdomen region (right hypochondrium). These appear more frequently after consuming foods with a lot of fat since this “activates” the gallbladder and favors the increase in pressure.
Recommendations
Both to avoid belly punctures and to treat them, it is best to opt for the following:
- Chew food slowly to allow the digestive tract to do its job.
- Avoid going to sleep when you feel pain in your stomach; it is best to rest sitting up and stretch your legs.
- Avoid greasy or highly seasoned foods.
- Exercise at least three times a week.
- Reduce the consumption of alcohol and cigarettes.
- Consume five servings of food a day.
- Increase water intake.
Medical evaluation is essential.
Punctures in the belly or any ailment in the abdominal region is a symptom that should not be overlooked. Although it sometimes arises due to an indigestion problem, it can also alert conditions that require more excellent care, such as irritable bowel syndrome and endometriosis.
Seeing a doctor in the face of this type of discomfort is essential since the professional is responsible for determining its cause and possible treatments. Added to this, some lifestyle and diet changes can be considered.