All you need to know about Epigastric Pain

 What is it

Epigastric pain is pain, discomfort, or soreness experienced in the upper abdomen below the ribcage. It prevails because of various digestive conditions such as lactose intolerance, gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), inflammation, or infection, which we will further elaborate on.

What does epigastric pain feel like?

Epigastric pain would feel like a burning, stuffy or aching sensation in the upper abdomen, which might gradually spread to the chest or back.

What are the probable symptoms?

 Because of the various causes that lead to epigastric pain and vice versa, they share many Probable symptoms. 

Some of them are:

• Breathlessness
• Abdominal aches
• Gas
• Diarrhea

What could be triggering these symptoms? 

Alcohol

Although drinking wine occasionally is considered healthy, some people tend to ignore ‘occasionally’; thus, by consuming too much alcohol, they destroy the stomach’s lining, which results in pain and then eventually vomiting.

Lactose intolerance

Lactose intolerance in people causes the inability to digest lactose, the sugar present in milk, and other dairy products. The absence of the enzyme lactase found in the small intestine lining which breaks down lactose results in people being lactose intolerant.

The symptoms experienced can be bothersome; however, they are not life-threatening.

Common symptoms consist of:

• Diarrhea
• Frequent Gas
• Bloating
• Nausea and fatigue
• Cramps
• Vomiting

 Foods to avoid:

• Milk
• Cheese
• Butter yogurt
• Ice cream 
• Buttermilk
• Cream
• Condensed milk

Hiatal hernia

Hiatal hernia ensues when the topmost part of the stomach starts shifting into the diaphragm via the esophagus. Women, obese people and people over 50 are more prone to experience hiatal hernia.

Common symptoms consist of:

• Loud burping
• Chest aches
• Shortness of breath
• Bloating
• Heartburn

 Peptic ulcer disease

Peptic ulcer disease, in this condition, multiple painful ulcers form on the lining of the stomach after the stomach acid impairs the inner layer of the stomach/small intestine.

This is mainly caused by intaking too many medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, Advil, other medication, or infections.

Common symptoms consist of:

• Burning stomach ache
• Heartburn
• Feeling full 
• Vomiting

 Epigastric pain in pregnancy

During pregnancy, the body goes through many changes, physical as well as biological. Hormonal changes bring along a few conditions. Epigastric pain is one of the most common of them due to the pressure the abdomen faces.

Although it is very common, sometimes epigastric pain is also a symptom of preeclampsia that gets overlooked.

Various tests and checkups are run to determine the cause of the pain.

What are the treatment options for Epigastric pain

There are various treatment options to recover from epigastric pain. The treatments vary in accordance with the severity of the symptoms you are facing.

 

• For mild pain: You will be advised to exercise for 30 minutes a day and eat a healthier diet. Ginger and vitamin B supplements will be incorporated into your diet.  

 

• For pain caused by medication: Your doctor will prescribe you antacids to relieve your pain.

 

• For severe/underlying conditions: You will be prescribed antibiotics as well as a long-term treatment. The duration of treatment might vary.

When the following occurs, it is time to go see the doctors.

You should be aware of every sensitive change taking place in your body, especially when you are suffering from a condition. When things get out of control, it is always best to turn to professional help, which would provide quality help, medication, and advice. Visit your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms and a much-needed check-up.

Severe signs or symptoms to look out for:

• Frequent Vomiting or Vomiting blood
• Trouble breathing
• Dark or tarry stool / Blood present in stool
• Unexplained weight loss
• Stomach pain increases or shifts to the right of the lower abdomen
• Abdominal swelling
• High fever
• Extreme nausea resulting in passing out
• Chest pain prevails or moves to shoulder, arm, neck

 

Can Epigastric pain be treated at home?

Mild epigastric pain can be treated at home by following a proper lifestyle and diet along such as:

Avoiding items that cause inflammation

• Spicy foods
• Alcohol
• Processed foods
• Dairy products
• Acidic foods
• Smoking
• Over consuming Painkillers

Consuming items that improve digestion

• Kimchi
• Garlic
• Kombucha
• Probiotics
• Herbal tea with honey
• Meditation
• Yoga

The given information is intended for informational purposes only. This is not legitimate professional medical advice, prescription or diagnosis. Always seek physical medical help from a nearby doctor before self-diagnosing.