Gastralgia, or stomach pain, can be caused by overindulgence in food, drinks, or tobacco, digestive problems, illnesses, or emotional stress. It is often due to irritation of the pneumogastric nerve and can be a symptom of more serious conditions like ulcers or Crohn’s disease. Symptoms include sudden, intense pain in the upper abdomen that can radiate to other areas and may be accompanied by cold, clammy skin, muscle contractions, tiredness, gas, or vomiting.
Gastralgia, better known as stomach pain, is the medical term for an ache or pain in the stomach or abdominal region. The most common symptom of this problem is sudden and often intense pain in the upper abdomen, which can spread to other areas such as the breastbone or lower back and can last from a few minutes to a few hours. There are many reasons why an upset stomach can occur, such as overindulgence in rich foods, drinks, or tobacco, digestive problems, certain illnesses, or emotional stress.
Several physiological processes can cause gastralgia symptoms. In most cases, however, the root of the pain usually begins with direct or indirect irritation of the pneumogastric nerve, a nerve that carries signals from the stomach and other abdominal organs to the brain. Some stomach pains are a secondary reflex that occurs when the pain occurs elsewhere in the body, such as in the urethra or reproductive organs.
Many of the more common reasons gastralgia can develop can include overindulgence in certain substances, such as rich foods, alcohol, coffee or tea, as well as excessive use of tobacco products. Lactose intolerance, food poisoning and allergies are other common reasons for an upset stomach. Also, digestive issues like constipation, indigestion, and gas can irritate your stomach.
While many of the most common reasons for a gastralgia attack are considered harmless and easy to treat at home, some can be more serious and require a visit to the doctor or emergency room. Ulcers, hernias, and kidney or gallstones are fairly common reasons for severe stomach pain. Some conditions, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), Crohn’s disease, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), can also cause excessive stomach pains.
While there are numerous reasons for gastralgia, the symptoms of an attack are all quite similar. The most common symptom is, of course, a sudden, intense pain often described as dull, burning or stabbing in the stomach. This pain is usually found in the upper abdomen, but may radiate to the lower abdomen and pelvic region, and around the rib cage and lower back. In some cases, the skin may become cold, pale and clammy, and some may even experience involuntary muscle contractions. After the attack, some may experience feelings of extreme tiredness, excess gas, or vomiting.
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