The common causes of abdominal pain

Abdominal pain is the pain that occurs between the chest and the pelvic region. In simpler words, it is called stomach pain.

It is one of the most common illness that people complain of. The causes of abdominal pain can be numerous, ranging from the ordinary issue of gas to something more serious.

Either way, it is best to get it checked out immediately. Here is a list of the reasons that might have resulted in abdominal or stomach pain.

Gallstones
Gallstones are hard deposits that result in stone formation in the Gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small organ responsible for the storage of bile and the digestive juice prepared by the liver. Gallstones can be of any size, small to large. Sometimes they are so small that it takes years for them to get detected.

These are made up of salt, cholesterol or discarded red blood cells. As a result of the presence of the stone, swelling and abdominal pain occur. The part of the stomach where the pain due to gallstones is centered is the right side of the upper abdomen.

Pancreatitis
The condition in which the pancreas become inflamed is known as pancreatitis. The main cause of inflammation is the activation of the digestive enzymes. These enzymes start attacking the pancreas before they are released into the small intestine. This causes inflammation in the pancreas.

The inflammation of such an attack causes severe pain. The pain in some cases is not just limited to the abdomen, but also spreads through the back too.

Heartburn
The medical term for heartburn is Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. The main cause of heartburn is the forced movement of stomach acid along with other contents back into the food pipe. The end result of such movement, of course, will be nothing but painful.

The process causes a burning sensation in the throat, pain in the lower chest and upper abdominal pain. An unhealthy lifestyle is the main reason behind heartburns. Eating the right amount at the right time, and maintaining a healthy weight can help prevent heartburns.

Lactose Intolerance
The term lactose intolerance is used medically to define an allergy towards dairy products. It occurs due to the incapacity to digest the sugar present in them. The level of pain expected in this condition depends on the level of intolerance a person has. It can range from mild to severe.

The undigested lactose can cause a number of inconveniences. Some of which are abdominal pain, gas, and swelling. The only prevention, in this case, is to avoid lactose. Avoiding lactose means avoiding all the dairy products.

Side effects of medication
All medicines have some or the other side effects. Some of them happen to be abdominal pain. The best way to avoid the side effects of a medication is to use medication only after consulting a doctor. It is best to inform the doctor if you have allergic reactions towards any specific medicines.