Pain in the pit of the stomach is a discomfort that most of us have experienced. Although sometimes it can be caused by nerves and anxiety, other times diseases such as gastritis, a gastric ulcer, or even a heart attack can be the cause of this pain.
Stomach pain is often centered in the upper abdomen, below the ribs. As it progresses, it may move to the sides, back, or up into the chest cavity. The area where you sit may reveal the cause and guide treatment.
One of the common causes of this pain is nerves and anxiety. The latter causes the stomach to produce more gastric acids, which causes pain and, in the long term, gastritis.
“The stomach pit is medically known as the epigastrium, that’s what it’s called. So, epigastric pain has many causes. If we look at the anatomical regions, the most frequent causes are peptic problems and gastric and duodenal problems. It can be gastritis, a duodenal ulcer, or a gastric ulcer,” explains Héctor Luna, an endoscopist surgeon.
Why does the pit of the stomach hurt?
The causes of pain in the pit of the stomach are varied and can range from poor digestion to more serious illnesses. Internist Carlos Hernandez says that indigestion can cause gas, bloating, and abdominal pain.
These are some diseases that cause pain in the pit of the stomach:
Gastritis
Gastritis is an upset stomach caused by inflammation of the mucosa that lines the stomach walls. It is caused by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori, to a lesser extent by stress and the consumption of certain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and excessive alcohol.
In its early stages, it does not present any symptoms, but as it progresses it could cause nausea, vomiting, and pain in this area of the stomach.
Peptic ulcer
A peptic ulcer is a sore that develops in the lining of the stomach or intestine, says internist Carlos Hernandez. They occur in the first layer of this lining and are most commonly caused by an infection caused by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori.
The symptoms are a pain in the pit of the stomach, which usually occurs at night,t and because it is so strong it makes the person wake up. In addition, the stomach feels empty one or three hours after eating. Nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and, constant heartburn, among other discomfort,s also occur.
Irritable bowel syndrome
It is a common disorder that affects the stomach and intestines and causes stomach pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, or constipation. “It is a disorder of the movement of the intestines, the sensitivity of the nerves in the intestines, or the way the brain controls some of these functions,” explains the MSD Manual.
Although the cause is unclear, it is a fairly common disorder seen in gastroenterologists’ offices.
Gastroesophageal reflux
Also called gastric reflux, it occurs when stomach acid reaches the esophagus. “The problem is that the esophagus has a very thin mucosa that is not designed to receive stomach acid. So, when there is reflux, this acid burns the esophagus. That is what causes heartburn, and even makes people wake up at night with a cough,” says Luna.
Accompanied by stomach pain, the person has a lot of reflux, especially after eating, and it gets worse when lying down.
Appendicitis
Although the appendix is located on the right side of the abdomen, when it becomes inflamed the pain can be felt in the pit of the stomach. The causes are not determined, although it is believed to occur because there is a blockage inside the abdomen.
The MSD Medical Manual explains that obstruction may be caused by a small, hard piece of stool, a foreign body, or a tumor.
Myocardial infarction
A heart attack is also known as a myocardial infarction and occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked or severely reduced.
The symptoms are varied and may include: pain or pressure in the chest, pain in the shoulder, arm, neck, heartburn or indigestion, dizziness, fatigue, and shortness of breath. “Stomach pain or pain in the pit of the stomach is a warning sign, so it should not be left to time, but rather paid attention to immediately,” Luna adds.
When to go to the doctor?
When you experience pain in the pit of your stomach, you can take medications that are proton pump inhibitors such as lansoprazole and esomeprazole. Because if it is a gastric problem, it should help relieve the discomfort.
If the medication only relieves the pain, but it reappears within hours, it is advisable to consult a doctor to determine the cause and begin the appropriate treatment. Likewise, if the pain persists for more than eight hours, you should visit a specialist.
If the pain is persistent, you start to sweat and feel dizzy or pale, you should call the emergency services as soon as possible because it could be a heart attack.