Abdominal Pain from Indigestion A common problem for many people is chronic abdominal pain without a known cause. Initial medical examinations may find no abnormalities, but the pain persists. This means there must be some abnormality occurring, and it is a problem that requires detailed diagnosis to find the root cause of the pain. Since the digestive system involves many organs, abdominal pain from abnormalities in the abdominal organs such as the stomach, intestines, pancreas, bile ducts, gallbladder, and liver may be due to common diseases or serious conditions like cancer, causing unexplained abnormalities.
Understanding Abdominal Pain in Different Types of Diseases
Stomach cancer has no definite known cause. Most risk factors come from the Helicobacter pylori bacteria, which cause stomach ulcers or gastritis. When chronic, these conditions worsen the symptoms of this disease. Early stages of stomach cancer may show no symptoms, but as the disease progresses, symptoms may resemble other diseases such as stomach ulcers or viral gastritis.
Symptoms
- Feeling of indigestion or stomach discomfort
- Bloating after eating
- Nausea, loss of appetite
- Burning sensation in the chest area
These symptoms require detailed examination by swallowing a barium contrast and undergoing X-rays to detect abnormalities. Sometimes, an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and CT scan are needed to locate the disease and its spread more precisely than regular X-rays.
Colon Cancer
Occurs in the large intestine (colon) or rectal cancer. It is a dangerous cancer that develops from cells producing mucus in the intestines. Most cases start from polyps or the mucous membrane of the large intestine turning into cancer cells.
Symptoms
- Chronic abdominal pain
- Chronic bloating, indigestion
- Blood in stool, black stools
- Unexplained weight loss, fatigue
- Palpable abdominal mass, constipation, or alternating constipation and diarrhea
Diagnosis can be done through blood tests screening for occult blood in stool, gastrointestinal endoscopy, and diagnostic imaging.
Pancreatic Cancer
A serious type of cancer because it is difficult to detect and early symptoms are nonspecific. The pancreas is a deep organ, and symptoms are vague, so diagnosis often occurs only after the disease has advanced. The exact cause is still unclear, but smoking, high intake of animal fats, and genetic abnormalities may be risk factors. Patients with chronic pancreatitis or pancreatic cysts are also at risk. Diagnosis is based on medical history, physical examination, and imaging showing a mass in the pancreas by ultrasound and CT scan.
Symptoms
- Abdominal pain, bloating, indigestion
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite, jaundice, or sometimes no symptoms at all
Stomach Ulcer Disease
Stomach ulcers do not turn into cancer, even if they recur for many years, except for ulcers caused directly by stomach cancer from the beginning.
Symptoms
- Indigestion, fullness under the sternum or upper abdomen, which is the most common symptom. It usually occurs when the stomach is empty or when hungry, so symptoms appear only at certain times of the day.
- Intermittent abdominal tightness, with symptom-free intervals lasting quite long, for example, pain lasting 1-2 weeks then disappearing for several months before returning.
- Midnight abdominal tightness after falling asleep, even if chronic for years.
If complications occur such as severe abdominal pain, loss of appetite, indigestion, significant weight loss, or passing fresh blood or black liquid stools, one should see a doctor immediately. Currently, there are many effective diagnostic methods besides history taking and general physical examination. Barium swallow X-rays and gastroscopy can detect ulcers, collect tissue samples for cancer cell examination, and test for bacteria causing stomach ulcers.
Chronic Pancreatitis
Results from continuous inflammation of the pancreas, possibly due to unresolved inflammation because the cause remains, such as continued alcohol consumption.
Symptoms
- Chronic intermittent abdominal pain
- Constant or occasional pain
- Gray or pale stools, possibly fatty stools, and weight loss
- Continuous weight loss despite normal eating due to malabsorption from lack of digestive enzymes, leading to malnutrition and fatigue
Treatment
Patients with chronic pancreatitis must be cautious about medication use, as some drugs may be toxic to pancreatic cells. Fat intake should be limited, and digestive enzyme supplements may be needed for indigestion. Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) should be supplemented because fat absorption is reduced. Regular pain medication is necessary, similar to patients with chronic pain conditions such as cancer, and some may require anti-anxiety medication.
Chronic Cholecystitis
Occurs when the gallbladder is obstructed by stones or infected, causing inflammation. The pathological changes depend on the severity of the disease. In chronic cholecystitis, the gallbladder wall thickens and hardens due to prolonged swelling.
Symptoms
- Chronic intermittent abdominal pain
- Difficult to distinguish from abdominal pain caused by other conditions
The best treatment is gallbladder surgery, usually performed after infection control with antibiotics and supportive care such as pain relief, anti-nausea medication, and intravenous fluids if oral intake is poor, depending on the doctor’s judgment.
The above are some of the diseases that may be hidden behind unexplained abdominal pain. Therefore, everyone should pay attention to their health and not ignore abnormalities. It is important to see a specialist for proper and accurate diagnosis and treatment.
