Differentiating stomach pain due to gas, appendicitis, or kidney stones & bull; hello healthy

Stomach pain is a common thing to happen on a daily basis. You may experience stomach pain when you wake up, after eating certain foods, or when you are stressed. There are two types of stomach pain, namely acute and chronic stomach pain. The type of acute stomach pain is pain that appears suddenly and is intense. Acute stomach pain usually makes a person need immediate help both with medication and surgery. While chronic stomach pain is usually less severe than acute abdominal pain, the pain lasts longer and can go away and then come back. Acute stomach pain is usually caused by acute pancreatitis, appendicitis, gallstones, or injury to the stomach and intestines. While chronic stomach pain is usually caused by constipation, diarrhea, diverticulosis, gastritis, or stomach acid reflux.

Distinguish types of stomach pain based on the cause

Stomach pain due to gas buildup

This is probably the most common type of stomach pain. The cause is the accumulation of gas in the stomach. Gas is formed when bacteria in the large intestine react and ferment with carbohydrates that are not digested by the small intestine. Some of the causes of gas formation are:

You eat too many foods high in fiber.
You swallow air. When eating or drinking, air can also enter the digestive system.
Intolerance to certain types of food can also lead to gas formation, such as intolerance to dairy and gluten.
Other health conditions such as constipation, diverticulosis, Crohn's disease, and others.
Excess gas can also be a symptom of abnormal bacterial growth in the small intestine, this condition can occur in those with diabetes.

But the onset of pain usually occurs when the gas that builds up in the intestines is not excreted. Some of the characteristics of this type of stomach pain are:

You pass gas continuously both consciously and unconsciously.
Pain that is sharp or feels like cramps in the abdomen. This pain can appear anywhere in the stomach, can move around, and the area of the stomach that hurts can change and come and go quickly.
A feeling of twisting in the stomach.
Bloated stomach and feels tight.

The pain caused by this type of stomachache can sometimes be mistaken for a heart attack, gallstones, and appendicitis. Although it is not a serious condition, you are advised to see a doctor immediately if your stomach pain is accompanied by bloody bowel movements, changes in color, frequency, or consistency of stool, chest pain, sudden weight loss, nausea and vomiting. persistent, and if you have had stomach pain for a long period of time.

Stomach pain due to kidney stones

If you have kidney stones, the symptoms may only appear when the stone moves inside the kidney or moves into the urinary tract. Symptoms of kidney stone disease are:

Pain in the side and back of the stomach, especially under the ribs.
Pain that radiates from the lower abdomen to the groin.
The pain comes in waves, and increases in intensity.
Pain when urinating and the color of the urine turns red, pink, or brown. In addition, the color of urine also smells bad and constantly feels like urinating or the amount of urine produced is very small.

Stomach pain due to appendicitis

The appendix is a swelling that occurs in the appendix, which is an extension of the large intestine. Appendicitis is a medical emergency that requires immediate action because if left untreated, this inflamed part of the appendix can rupture and spread the infection to other parts of the stomach. If this happens, the lining of the stomach will become inflamed and can be fatal. The main characteristic of abdominal pain in appendicitis is pain that occurs in the lower right side of the stomach. But the pain doesn't necessarily occur in the lower part of the stomach. This pain can start in the upper part of the stomach and is not too painful, but over time the pain moves to the lower right and gets worse.

In addition to pain in the lower right abdomen, people with appendicitis also usually experience decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, swelling of the abdominal area, fever, and unable to pass gas. It is not uncommon for pain to also occur in the upper or lower part of the stomach, even to the back to the rectum or anus.

What you have to pay attention to

If the pain in your stomach is also followed by any of the following, then you should immediately see a doctor.

The pain is very intense and unbearable, making you unable to do activities at all.
The pain lasts for several hours.
Pain followed by bleeding from the vagina especially when you are pregnant, or pain can also occur in the scrotum if you are male.
Vomiting, vomiting blood, and shortness of breath.
The pain radiates to the chest, neck and shoulders.
You have a fever, excessive sweating, are pale, can't urinate, have a bowel movement, or pass a gas.