Epigastralgia (epigastric Pain): Causes And Treatments
Epigastric pain is one of the most common gastrointestinal pains In most cases it is due to indigestion, although it can also be caused by physical illnesses, especially esophageal reflux disease.
In this article we will analyze what pain in the epigastrium consists of, what other symptoms appear associated with it, What are its most common causes and what treatments exist? to combat it.
The term “epigastralgia” is used to designate the pain that occurs in the epigastrium This name corresponds to the upper medial part of the abdomen, located between the navel and the ribs, behind the sternum.
In the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) epigastralgia is included as “pain in the epigastrium.” In this manual it is broadly equated with indigestion or dyspepsia, although there are many possible causes for this type of pain.
In particular epigastralgia is related to esophageal reflux disease , which causes heartburn and other gastrointestinal symptoms. Although epigastric pain in itself is not considered a severe symptom, it can be caused by this and other diseases that require medical intervention.
Associated symptoms
Epigastralgia is in itself a symptom of different diseases and temporary disorders that affect the stomach. It can appear in isolation, but it is very common for other gastrointestinal symptoms to occur simultaneously, which vary depending on the specific causes of the discomfort.
Thus, pain in the epigastrium is often accompanied by the following symptoms:
Causes of epigastric pain
The main causes of epigastric pain They are related to the digestive system although this symptom can also be due to alterations in other parts of the body.
1. Dyspepsia (indigestion)
“Dyspepsia” is the general term used to refer to any disorder that affects digestion, so it is a very common syndrome in the general population and among people who seek medical advice. In addition to epigastralgia, it can cause other gastrointestinal symptoms, such as heartburn, nausea and flatulence.
It is a mostly benign alteration, which can be temporary or chronic and is generally due to an unhealthy diet. Usually indigestion is due to excessive intake being different types of foods more or less likely to cause indigestion in each person.
2. Esophageal reflux disease
Esophageal reflux disease causes stomach acid to move up the esophagus, which connects the stomach to the throat; This damages the esophagus and throat, which are not protected by the stomach mucosa.
This disorder can cause symptoms such as epigastralgia, heartburn, difficulties breathing and swallowing chronic cough and chest pain, which appears as a result of inflammation of the esophagus.
3. Alcohol consumption
Consumption of large amounts of alcohol, especially if it occurs chronically, irritates and damages the lining of the stomach, causing this organ to become inflamed and more vulnerable to the acid it produces. In this way, the set of gastrointestinal symptoms that we have previously described may appear.
4. Pregnancy
During pregnancy the fetus presses on the abdominal walls , which can cause pain in the epigastrium and other areas of the abdomen. Furthermore, the hormonal changes that occur during this period can cause acid reflux and other gastrointestinal disorders, and therefore epigastric pain.
Gastritis consists of inflammation of the gastric mucosa, which protects the stomach from digestive acid. Like epigastritis, it can be caused by very diverse reasons, from poor diet and psychophysiological stress to infections or the abuse of certain substances.
6. Peptic ulcer
Peptic ulcers are lesions that occur in the mucosa that lines the stomach. They appear when the defenses of the digestive system are not sufficient to control the agents that attack it, mainly bacteria infections Helicobacter pylori and excessive and continued consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Treatment and management
The most appropriate treatment for epigastric pain depends on the cause of the pain. Changing habits is usually very effective, especially at a dietary level; Specifically, it is recommended reduce fat consumption and the amount of food that is ingested so that the stomach is in the best possible state.
In some cases medical intervention may be necessary, mainly if the symptoms are very severe or the cause of epigastralgia is one of the diseases that we mentioned in the previous section, such as peptic ulcer and esophageal reflux disease.
At a symptomatic level, the consumption of omeprazole and others is usually recommended. medications that reduce gastric acid production , but only if they are prescribed by doctors. In general, the best way to manage epigastralgia is to acquire healthier eating habits, since indigestion is the most common cause of this problem.
Caution must be taken when consuming ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatories since, as we have said, they can be aggressive for the stomach. If you are taking these medications and symptoms of epigastralgia appear, it is probably more appropriate to change your pain reliever.
