Gastric Pain vs Abdominal Pain - An Overview

Introduction:

Pain is an unpleasant sensation felt in the body. Although the terms gastric pain and abdominal pain are used interchangeably, they are different. Gastric pain is mainly related to the stomach and can be caused by many issues. Abdominal pain is caused in the region between the chest and pelvic regions.

What Is Gastric Pain?

Gastric pain is considered a pain or discomfort felt in the upper abdomen. Gastric pain is also called non-ulcer dyspepsia. Organic causes of gastric pain, like ulcers, inflammation, and cancer, are to be ruled out by performing tests. It is called non-ulcer dyspepsia if these tests provide normal results and no organic causes are related.

Most cases of gastric pain come under non-ulcer dyspepsia (functional dyspepsia). Dyspepsia means recurrent or continuing abdominal pain or discomfort observed in the upper abdomen.

Organic causes of gastric pain include:

There are no clear causes of gastric pain, but stress may be associated with it. Some tests may indicate one of the following causes.

These include:

Dyspepsia (Peptic Ulcer Disease): A defect can be observed in the innermost layer of the stomach or duodenum wall (where the small intestine joins the stomach). Peptic ulcers are usually caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Another reason for peptic ulcers is the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Aspirin and other painkillers.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): A chronic condition where the stomach acid or the bile flows back into the food pipe (esophagus). This irritates the lining present in the esophagus.

Gallstone Disease: Gallstones do not exhibit signs and symptoms unless there is inflammation of the gallbladder or blockage of the bile duct. These may result in abdomen pain. Sometimes, gallstones may cause pain on their own without any inflammation of the gallbladder or blockage of the bile duct.

Cancer: Stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer, or liver cancer may be responsible for abdominal pain.

An individual with gastric pain must consult a healthcare professional immediately if symptoms include:

• Blood in vomiting or if black stools are passed.

• If continuous vomiting is present after eating.

• Presence of unintentional weight loss.

• Presence of severe, excruciating upper abdominal pain.

Gastric pain is usually long-standing, and some individuals may have experienced it for decades. This type of symptom is less likely to indicate a serious health issue.

What Is Abdominal Pain?

Abdominal pain is discomfort felt anywhere between the ribs and pelvis. It is not confined to the stomach alone and may be related to other organs.

The abdomen includes:

• Stomach.

• Liver.

• Pancreas.

• Small intestine.

• Large intestine.

Most abdominal pains are temporary, and the causes are simple, like overindulgence in a favorite food or a flu bug. Other issues, like inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS), pancreatitis, and appendicitis, may need immediate medical help.

Abdominal pain that is not related to the abdomen may arise due to kidney stones. The pain travels from the lower back or side to the abdomen in this condition. Abdominal pain may originate from many sources. Recognizing the location and nature of the pain helps to determine the cause and diagnosis.

Abdominal pain is characterized as dull, aching discomfort, cramping, and nausea. These may start slowly and then be accompanied by gas, bloating, or diarrhea.

What Are the Common Causes of Abdominal Pain?

Many abdominal pains are considered temporary, not serious. They may be classified as digestion, menstruation, or temporary infection.

Digestive issues:

Abdominal pains caused after eating food include:

• Indigestion issue.

• Pain is caused because of gas or gas pain.

• Constipation.

• Diarrhea.

• Food allergies and intolerances.

• Food poisoning.

Inflammation Issues:

It is noted that irritation or inflammation of organs causes temporary infections.

These include:

• Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu).

• Peptic ulcer disease.

• GERD.

• Urinary tract infection (UTI).

Abdominal pain among females is due to the menstrual cycle. If the uterus is present in females, they may experience pain occasionally.

• Experience menstrual cramps.

• Feel ovulation pain.

What Are the Serious Causes of Abdominal Pain?

Serious abdominal pains need immediate medical care. Pain felt in various regions of the abdomen indicates different organ involvement.

Right Upper Quadrant of the Abdomen:

This region consists of the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts. The right kidney lies in the back. The first sections of the small intestine and large intestines come under this region.

Upper right abdominal pain may be related to liver disease or gallbladder disease.

These include:

• Hepatitis may be alcoholic, toxic, metabolic, viral, or autoimmune.

• Presence of gallstones.

• Cholecystitis (inflammation of gallbladder).

• Problems related to bile ducts include cancer, stones, and strictures.

• Gallbladder cancer.

• Liver cancer.

Localized problems that are related to the duodenum, ascending colon, or right kidney are observed in this region.

These include:

• Kidney infections.

• Kidney stone.

• Duodenal ulcer.

• Large bowel obstruction.

Left Upper Quadrant of the Abdomen:

The left upper quadrant of the abdomen consists of the stomach, pancreas, and spleen. The left kidney is situated at the back of the abdomen. The heart and left lung are located right above it.

The pain felt in the upper left quadrant means:

• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).

• Pancreatic cancer.

• Splenomegaly (enlarged spleen).

• Gastritis.

• Stomach ulcer.

• Bile reflux.

• Stomach cancer.

• Kidney infection.

• Kidney stones.

If the pain is from the chest, it may be:

• Heartburn.

• Angina.

• Noncardiac chest pain.

• Heart attack.

• Pericarditis.

• Pneumonia.

• Pleurisy.

• Pulmonary embolism.

Lower Abdomen:

The lower abdomen consists of most of the small and large intestines. Pain in the lower abdomen may be related to gastrointestinal diseases. Some pains may be related to the ureters, ovaries, or uterus.

The pain in the lower abdomen may be caused by:

• Irritable bowel syndrome.

• Functional dyspepsia.

• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis)

• Large or small bowel obstruction.

• Small intestine cancer.

• Colon cancer.

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm.

• Peritonitis.

• Mesenteric lymphadenitis.

• Intestinal ischemic syndrome.

• Hernia.

• Kidney stones.

Pain that is associated with pelvic organs includes:

• Endometriosis.

• Ovarian cysts.

• Pelvic inflammatory disease.

• Ectopic pregnancy.

• Ovarian cancer.

• Uterine cancer.

Left Lower Quadrant of the Abdomen:

The pain in the left lower quadrant of the abdomen refers to diverticulosis and diverticulitis of the colon. Diverticula means small outpouchings in the bowel wall. These may be observed throughout the colon but generally more in the left lower quadrant of the abdomen.

Right Lower Quadrant of the Abdomen:

The pain experienced in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen may be related to the appendix. It may be affected by either inflammation (appendicitis) or appendix cancer.

Conclusion:

Abdominal pain is joint and experienced by every person in their lifetime. It can be caused by many reasons. The exact underlying cause must be known to overcome the difficult situation. Since the abdominal region is big, it is difficult to know whether the pain is gastric or abdominal. Hence, it becomes important to know about gastric and abdominal pain, their causes, and the regions where they are felt.