Pain in the left hypochondrium after a meal

Pain in the abdomen left after eating appears when the pathological process develops in the digestive tract. The majority with a similar symptom prefer to cope on their own and eliminate pain with antacid or enzyme preparations.

But medications have only a temporary effect and do not affect the course of the disease, so the disease progresses, goes into a chronic form and causes various complications. To avoid the development of the disease it is necessary to undergo a survey that will be able to establish why there is pain in the left hypochondrium after eating.

On the localization of pain, its nature and time of appearance, it is possible to assume which abdominal organ ceased to cope with its function. If the soreness is felt after eating, this indicates a violation of the digestive or evacuation function of the gastrointestinal tract( GIT).

Pain immediately after eating indicates the presence of an inflammatory or dystrophic process in the tissues of the stomach, duodenum or pancreas. In addition to the pain syndrome, other symptoms appear in diseases of the digestive tract, but they are rarely specific, therefore, a laboratory and apparatus examination is required to make a diagnosis.

The sooner the cause of pain is established, the greater the chance of avoiding the transition of the disease to a chronic form and the lower risk of complications. And yet, if the clinical picture is characteristic of any disease, then the knowledge of the characteristics of its non-drug treatment will help to avoid attacks of pain and provide functional rest for the inflamed organ.

Gastritis

Pain in the left side after eating is felt with inflammation of the gastric mucosa. Parietal cells of the stomach secretes hydrochloric acid, which promotes the activation of propepsinogen and gastrin, denaturation and swelling of proteins, the curdling of milk, in addition, it has bactericidal properties.

To protect the mucous tissue, a special secret( mucin) is secreted, which prevents the contact of hydrochloric acid with cells and thus does not allow self-digestion. Under the influence of bile acids, medicines, propionic or butyric acid, alcohol or an excessively high concentration of hydrochloric acid, the autolysis process begins.

Disturbance of mucus protective function and increased synthesis of hydrochloric acid promotes the development of Helicobacter pylori. The bacterium synthesizes substances that destroy mucin, urelasu( an enzyme that cleaves urea with the release of ammonia) and endotoxins. Ammonia neutralizes the action of hydrochloric acid and provides an optimal local environment for the existence of the bacterium.

However, the substance has an irritant effect on the stomach tissue, which causes inflammation, and then cell death. The microorganism colonizes the stomach and duodenum, which causes ulcers, gastritis, duodenitis, stomach cancer and, apparently, lymphoma.

Acute gastritis manifests violently, but clinical manifestations abate within 3-4 days

As studies show, Helicobacter is present in the vast majority of people surveyed, but not always it causes the development of gastritis. Its activation is facilitated by the following factors;

• wrong diet, which is dominated by fatty and sweet dishes;
• overeating;
• food intake is irregular( fasting);
• use of spicy foods, hot drinks, alcohol.

In the inflammatory process in the gastric mucosa there are the following symptoms:

• acute spasmodic pain in the left hypochondrium in front or in the peripodic region;
• nausea and vomiting;
• belching;
• lack of appetite.

For the diagnosis, the gastroenterologist prescribes fibrogastroscopy, ultrasound and laboratory analysis of blood and urine. The gastric mucosa is hyperemic, edematous, with biopsy noticeable cellular infiltration, significant changes in the epithelium and increased regeneration.

In severe cases, gastric lavage is prescribed. Patients are advised to refrain from eating 1-2 days, then a diet is shown( table No 5).It is recommended to use liquid porridge, juices, mashed meat. It is forbidden to use spicy, spicy, rough, too hot or cold food, as it irritates the gastric mucosa.

If you ignore the signs of acute gastritis, the disease turns into a chronic form, in which inflammatory-dystrophic processes are observed, accompanied by a change in the tissue structure and the progression of the fading of the glandular epithelium, as well as the deterioration of the secretory, protective, motor function.

Causes of chronic gastritis:

• infection with Helicobacter pylori, herpes virus, cytomegalovirus, fungal flora;
• is synthesized by the body with antibodies to cover cells;
• reflux of duodenal contents( in particular, bile acids and isoleucine adversely affect);
• addiction to rough, spicy, hot food, and lack of a meal schedule;
• smoking, excessive alcohol abuse;
• drug therapy( prednisolone, salicylates, digitalis preparations);
• chronic pathology( oral cavity, tuberculosis, cholecystitis);
• pathology of endocrine organs( Addison's disease, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus);
• worsening metabolism( iron deficiency, obesity, gout);
• diseases, in which oxygen transport( pulmonary and cardiac failure) is disrupted.

In case of exacerbation of chronic gastritis, the following symptoms appear: gastric dyspepsia( rash in the stomach after eating, heaviness, belching, regurgitation, vomiting, heartburn, nausea, unpleasant taste in the mouth, anorexia), pain unintentional, intestinal dyspepsia( change in stool consistency and frequency, meteorism), asthenoneurotic syndrome( mood swings, irritability, fatigue, sleep disturbance).

Treatment depends on the phase of the disease( remission, exacerbation), causes, acidity of the stomach.

Patients are advised to reduce the load on the body and to exclude products that can provide thermal or mechanical irritation( stick to diet table No 2), eat small portions, but often. If secretory insufficiency is revealed, the doctor prescribes drugs that improve the nutrition of the gastric mucosa and microcirculation( B vitamins, Solcoseryl, Metiluracil).

If gastritis is associated with Helicobacter, antibacterial drugs and gastroprotectors( De-nol, Metronidazole, Amoxicillin, Venter, Alsukril, Andesin) are prescribed.

If the secretion of the secretion is prescribed drugs that increase the production of hydrochloric acid( tincture from the roots of dandelion, herb wormwood), and if hydrochloric acid is absent, then resort to its replacement( Acedin-Pepsin, Abomin, Betazid tablets).

If a lot of acid is synthesized, the motor function is restored by anticholinergics( Atropine sulfate, Gastrotsepin, Metacin, Platifillin).In the event of erosion, H-2 receptor blockers( Omez, Cimetidine, Famotidine, Ranitidine) are prescribed, which suppress the secretory function.

To avoid exacerbation of chronic gastritis it will turn out only adhering to a rational diet with observance of the schedule of food intake( in order not to allow feeling of hunger or overeating), and also having refused alcohol-containing drinks and smoking. It is necessary to sanitize chronic infectious foci.

Peptic ulcer

If you ignore gastritis, then eventually in the mucous tissue of the stomach appear ulcers, the perforation of which can threaten the life of the patient. A peptic ulcer recursive chronic pathology, prone to development, affecting the stomach and duodenum. The disease is characterized by worsening of endocrine and neurohumoral regulation, motor, secretory and protective function of the affected organ.

A peptic ulcer develops as a result of:

• genetic predisposition and heredity( not active enough antitrypsin, there is HLA-B5 antigen, the first blood group, increased production of hydrochloric acid);
• diseases of the stomach and intestines( duodenitis, functional disorders, gastritis);
• smoking, alcohol abuse;
• improper power mode;
• receiving medications that depress the protective properties of the mucosa( Butadion, Aspirin, Indomethacin);
• chronic stress.

With a stomach ulcer, there are pains at the top of the abdomen, which are capable of giving to the sternum, to the left shoulder, so sometimes they get confused with angina pectoris. If the ulcer develops in the small curvature of the stomach, the pain appears 15-60 minutes after the meal.

The lesions of the antrum cause night, "hungry" or so-called late pains, which are felt 2-3 hours after eating. The ulcer formed in the pyloric part causes intense pain, which does not depend on food intake. Pain in the left hypochondrium after eating appears if there is an ulcer in the area of ​​the sphincter, the bottom or body of the stomach.

In addition to pain, it is also characteristic of belching with air or food, nausea, vomiting( with the appearance of a doorkeeper), regurgitation, flatulence, constipation.

In case of peptic ulcer, bleeding, perforation in the abdominal cavity or malignancy can occur( cells degenerate into cancerous cells).

Treatment involves a sparing diet( table No 2), the rejection of addictions, includes medication. Excessive production of pepsin and hydrochloric acid is suppressed with Atropine, Platifillin, Metacin, Ranitidine, and Omez. Promotes the normalization of the evacuation function Motilium, Cerukal.

Preparations based on bismuth( De-nol) will protect the gastric mucosa. To kill Helicobacter is necessary to take an antibiotic. Accelerate the process of regeneration of cells Venter, Methyluracil, Solcoseryl. If the stomach has strongly started to hurt, thus muscles are strained, and gases do not depart, that, probably, that this perforation of an ulcer. This condition requires urgent surgical intervention.

Pancreatitis

It often hurts under the left rib due to inflammation of the tail of the pancreas. Due to the violation of the output of enzymes as a result of blockage, the iron starts the process of self-digestion, which leads to severe pain. The number of enzymes increases after eating, respectively, the soreness increases in this period. With acute pancreatitis, the pain gradually increases.

Pancreatitis develops as a result of:

• chronic alcoholism;
• autoimmune diseases( immune cells recognize body cells as foreign and attack them);
• penetration of the parasite;
• metabolic disorders( vessel walls narrow because of lipid deposition on them);
• long-term hormone therapy;
• exposure to a viral infection( mycoplasma, hepatitis, mumps).

Signs of pancreatitis are:

• abdominal pain during palpation and after eating;
• nausea, vomiting;
• foamy stool, with bowel movement there is soreness;
• heart palpitations;
• shortness of breath;
• decrease in body weight.

Diagnosis is confirmed by ultrasound. In acute pancreatitis, fasting is indicated for 3-5 days to provide the body with functional rest. In some cases, intravenous nutrition is prescribed. Then the patient is recommended to adhere to a strict diet( table No 5 P) for 2-4 months.

To relieve pain, antispasmodics and cold compress will help. With pancreatitis, conservative therapy is prescribed, and in case of blockage of the bile duct by a stone and surgical treatment. The patient is prescribed spasmolytics( No-shpa, Drotaverin) for pain relief, diuretics( Furosemide, Diacarb) for removing toxins and removing the edema of the gland, inhibitors of enzymes( Contrikal, Gordoks), antibiotics for purulent infection, vitamins( groups B, C, E, A).

Diaphragmatic hernia

The diaphragm divides the abdominal and thoracic cavity. It is involved in the process of breathing and prevents the penetration of the abdominal organs into the sternum. In case of trauma or weakness of connective tissue, a diaphragm rupture and uplift of the stomach part several centimeters higher or entrapment of the esophagus is probable.

Diaphragmatic hernia causes similar symptoms with gastrointestinal diseases. An incorrect diagnosis or neglect of a clinic can lead to an infringement of the hernia, which will require urgent surgical intervention. When the hernia of the diaphragm develops the following symptoms:

• belching;
• heartburn;
• bloating( due to air penetration into the stomach);
• pain may occur at the bottom or at the top of the abdomen, from the side;
• is aggravated by pain after eating, with movement, bends of the trunk.

If the hernia is small, then conservative therapy is performed. A diet is prescribed, which excludes from the diet acute, acidic food. It is necessary often, in small portions, so as not to overload the stomach. To eliminate heartburn, antacids are prescribed( Phosphalugel, Omez, Ranitidine, Almagel).Pain relieve spasmolytic drugs( No-shpa, Drotaverin).

Surgical treatment is necessary when the hernia is squeezed or when it is large. The hernial sac is excised and suturing of the hernia opening or the application of synthetic materials is carried out. If pain occurs only after eating, then you need to adjust the menu. Exclude all fatty, fried, spicy dishes, alcohol.

Ensure that food is not too hot or cold. There are necessary small portions, preferably every 4 hours or at least at the same time. Avoid stressful situations, as they strongly affect the motor function of the stomach.

If, following a diet of pain in the left hypochondrium, after each meal continue to bother, it is necessary to appear to the therapist or gastroenterologist. The doctor after the examination will prescribe medications that eliminate the causes of pathology. If you have acute pain, severe nausea or vomiting, weakness, fever, a change in skin color in the abdomen should be called an ambulance.