Abdominal pain during sleep. What causes stomach pain at night? Diagnosis and treatment

When your stomach starts to hurt, especially at night, you should immediately consult a gastroenterologist. This is important! Night pain can be a symptom of such serious diseases as gastric or duodenal ulcers, pancreatitis, abscess, and cholelithiasis. Therefore, when such a pathology occurs, especially repeatedly, a full examination is necessary.

Causes and characteristics of nighttime discomfort

It occurs when it pathologically contracts or stretches, it produces too much juice (the hydrochloric acid contained in the juice irritates the walls of the stomach). The reasons for this are the following factors:

inflammation (including due to the development of intestinal infection);
excess gases;
rapid contraction of the walls of the esophagus;
nervous state of a person.

Main types of pain:

visceral – nerve endings on the walls of the abdominal cavity are irritated;
parietal – the peritoneum is irritated;
psychogenic – reaction to stress;
neurogenic – the result of neurological diseases.

Painful sensations vary widely in character: they can be aching, pulsating, shooting, burning, cutting, etc., and may be accompanied by a feeling of hunger or nausea, flatulence, increased temperature, increased sweating, change in the color of stool - urine becomes darker and feces lighter.

Symptoms like these indicate pathological processes V gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, liver, biliary tract. If such stomach pains appear at night, and their causes have not yet been clarified, you need to give yourself first aid, and in the morning go to the hospital or call a doctor.

However, if the feces become dark, almost black, it means that the internal bleeding, and you need to call an ambulance.

The location of night pain also matters: if it appears in the upper abdomen, it means that it is a stomach or duodenal ulcer, or there is a pathology of the liver or pancreas. Pain in the left hypochondrium, especially if it seems like you want to eat, indicates gastritis.

In some cases, pregnancy is the cause of nighttime discomfort. In the first trimester, the stomach hurts due to toxicosis and changes in hormonal levels; in the second and third, the enlarged uterus puts pressure on the internal organs, including the abdominal cavity.

One of the main signs of serious stomach problems is relief when a person takes a particular position. However, later discomfort are returning.

If such night pain is short-lived, occurs rarely and irregularly, then most likely it is due to poor diet - eating too fatty, spicy, salty or hot foods. In this case, you just need to reconsider your diet.

At serious illnesses The gastrointestinal tract and biliary system may cause stomach pain not only at night, but also in the evening and at other times of the day.

First aid

Since the pain usually occurs in the middle of the night, a visit to the doctor has to be postponed until the morning (unless the case is an emergency). But it needs to be removed. Until a diagnosis has been made, there is no need to take medications; it is better to drink a weak, warm (not hot!) mint decoction. May I help cold water(even with ice, only after a few sips you should listen to your feelings - does it get worse).

Since pain is often similar to hunger, it seems that if you eat something it will be easier. In fact, you need to abstain from food for the next few hours, drinking only tea or water in small quantities.

Sometimes the pain goes away after using a warm heating pad or a heated piece of cloth (after application, you also need to evaluate your condition). Lying down with your legs thrown up (put a blanket and rug under them) can ease suffering. Real treatment should begin only after examination by a gastroenterologist and diagnosis.

Diagnosis and treatment

Night pain in the stomach and the causes of this pathology - serious problem, so it needs to be solved without delay. Usually, during an examination, the doctor collects an anamnesis (asks about lifestyle, nutrition, whether there have been any Lately severe stress, etc.), palpates the abdomen and prescribes fibrogastroduodenoscopy (FGDS).

The study consists of the patient lying on his left side, receiving anesthesia, the gastroenterologist inserts a special device (fibrogastroscope) into his throat and examines the gastrointestinal tract using a built-in video camera. Today this is the most informative type of diagnosis of diseases of the stomach, intestines and esophagus. The doctor may also order a biopsy to find out if there are any cancerous tumors.

Such pathologies are treated primarily with medication. The patient is prescribed antispasmodics (it is very important to relieve spasms), analgesics to relieve pain, stabilizers for various gastric functions (motor and secretory), and antibiotics for infections. Under no circumstances should you self-medicate; you must take only those medications prescribed by the doctor and follow the dosage regimen.

If you have doubts about the effectiveness of treatment, it is better to consult with 2-3 doctors. Medicines and their regimen are prescribed depending not only on the disease, but also on the duration and intensity of pain attacks and the individual characteristics of the patient’s body.

Proper nutrition for stomach diseases

In parallel with treatment, you should follow a diet, otherwise the medications will not have an effect. Prescribed for various diseases different food, But general principles boil down to the fact that food should be as gentle as possible on the stomach. They mainly recommend cereal and vegetable soups, semi-liquid porridges, weakly brewed Herb tea, ordinary boiled water, as well as special mineral water, without gas.

Everything fatty, smoked, salted, spicy, carbonated drinks, alcohol, canned food, as well as plant foods containing coarse fiber (radish, turnip, beans), fruits and berries with rough skin (gooseberries, grapes), wholemeal bread are prohibited. grinding, fatty meat and fish.

Prepare dietary dishes it needs to be steamed or boiled. Regarding nutrition in each specific case, you should consult your doctor.

Rules for organizing food intake during illness:

food should be at room temperature;
you need to eat fractionally - in small portions 5-6 times a day, and try to do it at the same time;
the consistency of the dishes should be puree;
It is necessary to eat slowly and chew food especially carefully.

Additional Help

There is a list of funds traditional medicine, which will help relieve stomach pain, they can also be taken in parallel with the main treatment:

freshly squeezed cucumber juice: take 20 ml 3 times a day, you can add honey to taste;
plantain juice: pour a standard glass and drink throughout the day;
meadowsweet infusion: pour boiling water (one and a half glasses) over the dried flowers of this plant (volume - a tablespoon), let it brew (about 3 hours), drink a little all day;
St. John's wort juice: take a little in the morning on an empty stomach;
plantain leaves: chew for pain;
honeysuckle infusion: pour boiling water over a tablespoon of chopped stems and leaves, leave for 35-40 minutes, drink 3 times a day;
tea with mint and currants: mix green tea, currant leaves, fresh or dried mint, brew, drink as usual during meals;
chamomile tea (can be bought at the pharmacy);
white cabbage juice: mix with honey, take a little 3 times a day.

However, such drugs should not replace treatment prescribed by a doctor.

Prevention

To prevent stomach pain from appearing day or night, first of all you need to eat right. Even healthy person should exclude fast food, carbonated and alcoholic drinks, canned food, fatty and spicy foods. Dry snacks are not advisable; you should try to arrange full meals for yourself. You also need to maintain a balance of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, eat more healthy foods: vegetables, fruits, honey and bee products. Need to visit more fresh air and move so that what you eat is better absorbed.

A serious gastrointestinal illness may begin with pain at night. To recover faster, you must immediately consult a doctor, undergo conscientious treatment and change your diet in favor of natural products.

The rating of problems caused by malfunctions of the gastrointestinal tract is headed by night pain in the stomach. This unpleasant symptom causes discomfort and takes away full sleep. Read on to learn more about the causes of pain in the dark and how to treat them.

Pain is a significant adaptive reflex of the body. It can act as both a preventive and a defensive reaction.

Abdominal discomfort is a complex clinical symptom. Due to the fact that this zone contains many vital important organs, determining the source of pain is quite problematic. The range of manifestations of pain is wide - cramping, sharp, pulling, aching, cutting, colic-type. Pain can be concentrated in one area, but radiate to other areas, spread throughout the body and have varying intensity. The body took care to inform the brain as accurately as possible about the presence of malfunctions in its work.

The dagger type of pain is very dangerous. It may indicate a stomach ulcer. At first appearances similar discomfort, you should immediately call an ambulance.

If pain occurs in the epigastric region after going to bed, the features of the manifestation of the pain syndrome should be differentiated. If the attack lasts no more than 1 minute, there is no cause for concern. If the discomfort does not go away within 1 hour, you need to seek specialized advice. medical care.

Variety	Characteristic
Visceral	It is considered a consequence of irritation of the nerve endings located on the walls of the peritoneum. In most cases it is caused by the following factors: increased pressure in the stomach; disruptions in the circulatory system. Any compression or stretching of internal organs can provoke this type of pain. A person perceives it as squeezing, deep, radiating into the skin. It does not have a specific localization and is quite long in duration. The degree of intensity is similar to the sensations during an attack of hepatic colic or inflammation of appendicitis.
Parietal	It is also provoked by irritation of the walls of the abdominal cavity, but always has a clear localization. The intensity increases as you walk. Often observed with peritonitis.
Neurogenic	It is the result of neurological diseases. Pathologies of the peripheral nervous system, especially diabetic neuropathy, can manifest themselves through discomfort in the peritoneum. The pain is characterized by a shooting character. She suddenly appears and disappears just as quickly.
Reflex	This type of pain is sometimes called referred pain. It can be localized in areas located at a distance from the source of excitation. Often appears with stomach diseases.

A psychogenic type of pain is also felt in the abdomen. However, it has a completely different nature of occurrence. It arises as a consequence of suspiciousness and excessive anxiety.

Video - Stomach pain

Alarming symptoms

Night stomach pain in itself is an alarming symptom. However, when they are accompanied by functional disorders of the body, you should visit a doctor.

Among dangerous symptoms The following are distinguished:

hunger;
nausea turning into vomiting;
increased formation of gases;
increase in body temperature;
excessive sweating;
darkening of urine;
lightening of stool.

Such manifestations are a sign of the presence of pathology of the gastrointestinal tract.

If the feces are black in color, internal bleeding is diagnosed in most cases. In this situation, emergency medical attention is required.

Clinical manifestations of pain

In addition to the characteristics of pain, other parameters for its assessment should be taken into account. Before visiting a specialist, you must evaluate the following criteria:

intensity;
duration;
etiology;
features of occurrence;
factors influencing increase or decrease.

An important point is the localization of night pain. If it is concentrated in upper section peritoneum, there is a possibility of having a stomach or duodenal ulcer or pancreatic disease. If pain from the central part of the abdomen radiates to left hypochondrium and is reinforced by a feeling of hunger, doctors diagnose gastritis.

One of the main factors signaling gastric pathologies is an improvement in well-being when changing position.

Often, pain that is felt as “stomach” can refer to other internal organs.

Table 2. Possible diseases for stomach pain

Characteristics of pain	Possible diseases
Rapid onset within a few minutes. It is difficult for the patient to move.	gastric perforation; aneurysm of the abdominal aorta.
Colicky character. Localization in the lower right part of the peritoneum. Not long lasting.	mobile cecum syndrome; adhesive process.
Gradually increasing in intensity.	inflammation of appendicitis; Crohn's disease; renal colic; intra-abdominal abscesses; inflammation of the appendages; intestinal obstruction.

During an attack of acute appendicitis, pain is characterized by a wave-like character, characterized by periods of decline and increased discomfort.

Etiology of night pain

Discomfort in the stomach occurs when the organ stretches or decreases in volume. If an excess of gastric secretion is produced in it, hydrochloric acid begins to negatively affect its walls, which also leads to unpleasant sensations.

The following factors may be the culprits of discomfort:

inflammatory process;
abdominal wall injuries;
irritable bowel syndrome;
intestinal infection;
autoimmune diseases;
peritoneal adhesions;
endometriosis;
flatulence;
rapid contraction of the walls of the esophagus;
metabolic disorders;
distension of the intestine or liver capsule;
biliary dyskinesia.
duodenal ulcer.

Also, discomfort in the epigastric region can be of a neurotic nature, occurring at a time of severe stress.

Among physiological reasons Night pains are classified as follows:

indigestion;
incomplete bowel movement;
excessive consumption of fatty and spicy foods;
individual intolerance to certain products.

If night attacks are short-lived and not systematic, the reason often lies in unbalanced diet. Reviewing your diet will help get rid of this problem.

Sometimes stomach pain can be caused by pressure from the growing fetus on the organ. In the first trimester, he may be sick due to toxicosis, in subsequent trimesters - due to an increase in the volume of the uterus.

First aid

If discomfort occurs in the epigastric region at night, you should adhere to simple rules. Both the diagnosis and the recovery process depend on compliance with the recommendations.

General rules:

Before the doctor arrives, you should not take medications.
Among the pain relief medications, you can drink warm Mint tea or a few sips of cold water.
Despite the fact that pain is often accompanied by a feeling of hunger, it is necessary to postpone eating.
It is allowed to apply a warm heating pad. However, if the pain intensifies, the heating pad should be removed from the surface of the abdomen.
Decrease painful sensations Lying on your back with your legs up will help.

Under no circumstances should you self-medicate.

Diagnosis of the body

To make a correct diagnosis, specialists prescribe comprehensive examination. Recommended examination methods include the following:

FGDS;
General analysis of blood, urine and feces.

In addition, the doctor palpates the abdominal cavity and collects a detailed medical history.

FGDS - fibrogastroduodenoscopy involves inserting a probe with a built-in video camera through the esophagus, which allows you to assess the condition of the gastrointestinal tract. If necessary, short-term anesthesia is given. Most informative method diagnosis of gastric diseases.

Treatment of night stomach pain

Among the remedies traditionally used for discomfort in the epigastric region at night, the following are used:

antispasmodics;
analgesics;
stabilizers of functions of the gastrointestinal tract;
antibiotics.

The names of the drugs and the duration of the course of treatment are determined by the intensity of the attacks and the physiological characteristics of the patient’s body.

Medical nutrition

Simultaneously with therapy, it is necessary to adhere to a diet. It will help enhance the effect of taking it medicines and normalizes the activity of the gastrointestinal tract. The basic principle of nutrition is to eat bland food. Recommended for use next dishes and drinks:

vegetable soups with low-fat broth;
boiled or mineral still water;
ground porridge;
weakly brewed herbal tea.

The food stop list contains many delicious foods from a gastronomic point of view:

canned food;
beans;
gooseberry;
fatty, smoked and over-salted dishes;
carbonated and alcoholic drinks;
turnips and radishes;
grape;
wholemeal bread.

Food containing coarse fiber is especially dangerous. Despite the fact that in most cases alimentary fiber They help improve the digestive process, but sometimes they can be harmful. In inflammatory processes occurring in the gastrointestinal tract, especially the colon, fiber leads to discomfort

Eating even small amounts of unprocessed fruits and vegetables can cause severe deterioration. existing pathology. If the intestines cannot cope with the processing of raw plant products, you should prepare puree or eat exclusively baked or boiled vegetables.

Rules for eating:

food temperature - room temperature;
portions are small;
number of meals per day - up to 6 at the same time;
consistency - mushy;
cooking method - steaming or boiling;
features of the diet - balance of proteins, fats and carbohydrates.

You should eat by chewing your food thoroughly. Walking in the fresh air is encouraged as it helps improve digestion.

ethnoscience

In consultation with your doctor, it is possible to use proven, “working” products from home first aid kit. Along with drug treatment, the following drugs are popular:

Fresh cucumber. To improve taste, you can add 0.5 tsp. honey Take 3 times a day, 25 ml. By analogy, you can take juice from white cabbage.
Freshly squeezed plantain juice. Within 24 hours you should drink 250 ml of the drink. If the pain is severe, you can chew the leaves of the plant.
Decoctions of meadowsweet, St. John's wort or honeysuckle. Choose a plant to taste, take 1 tbsp. dried mass, pour 400 ml of boiled water, leave for 3 hours and drink throughout the day.
Traditional medicine has a large store of knowledge in the treatment of stomach pain
Dangerous pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract and stomach in particular can begin with night pain. Timely contact with a therapist and gastroenterologist will help in as soon as possible solve the problem and maintain longevity. read on our website.

Stomach hurts at night, what are the causes of this symptom? In most cases, there is a parallel sensation constant hunger, which stops after a person eats a small amount of food.

Painful sensations at night are of the following types:

Psychogenic. This symptom occurs with constant or frequent stress. Pain appears, which manifests itself as a signal of suspiciousness and anxiety.
Parietal. Occurs when the peritoneum is irritated, as well as a clear location. It hurts very much, especially when moving and breathing.
Neurogenic. The pain appears in the form of lumbago. They appear and then disappear again.
Visceral. Painful sensations arise due to irritation of the nerve fibers that are located in the abdominal cavity. This may be renal, intestinal or renal colic.

Basic pain

Pain that is accompanied by cramps and can be absolutely different intensity. Night pain in the stomach, the causes are as follows:

Gas formation.
Experienced stress.
Very intense intestinal peristalsis.
Infectious inflammation.

Why do these processes occur? Pain occurs due to changes in organs. For example, with the appearance of pancreatitis, abscesses, and gallstone disease. It can manifest itself in the form of cutting, burning and sharpness.

Root cause and symptoms

The pain intensifies when moving. In parallel, in addition to stomach problems, disruption of the intestines and pancreas may occur.

Based on the symptoms, you can determine which disorders of the internal organs lead to the appearance of such a symptom as stomach pain at night.

For example, if the temperature rises additionally, then it is quite possible that there is an intestinal infection or a blockage of the biliary tract occurs.

It is necessary to pay attention to whether the color of stool and urine has changed. In some cases, blood clots may even appear in the feces.

Stressful situations often have a negative impact on general state humans, including leading to disruption of the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Stomach pain, frequent bowel movements or constipation, bloating - very often this is a consequence of a previously transferred drug.

How to respond to pain in the stomach

At night, the human digestive system operates in sleep mode. The pancreas produces much less enzymes, and the intestines remove waste substances from the body much more slowly.

It is absolutely understandable for all people to experience pain during the day, because the internal organs of the gastrointestinal tract are active. Moreover, the main meal occurs at night, just like poisoning of the body.

The body reacts to external stimuli in the same way: with a spasm muscle tissue. In this regard, painful sensations arise that accompany any disruption of the gastrointestinal tract.

If there is pain, it is necessary to determine the malfunction digestive system, as well as diagnosing the body and carrying out the necessary recovery methods.

Symptoms

The most common cause of abdominal pain is the appearance of a stomach ulcer. In most cases, young people, as well as middle-aged people, are at risk.

A gastric ulcer is a disorder of the wall of the esophagus, stomach or intestines. During an exacerbation, an inflammatory process occurs around the ulcer.

In most cases main reason The cause of stomach ulcers is a bacterium - Helicobacter pylory, the inflammatory process occurs as a defense of the body.

Additionally, the following symptoms may occur:

It hurts when a person has not eaten. Hunger pain in the stomach can be caused by irritation of nerve fibers by the acidic contents of the stomach.
Stomach pain appears in the upper abdomen, usually 2 hours after eating.
Increased appetite, which is associated with the fact that after eating a person’s pain decreases.

There is only one method for identifying an ulcer - doing a gastroscopy. The procedure takes several minutes, but is not very pleasant. All operating instructions must be strictly followed.

It is imperative to undergo a course of treatment to avoid aggravation of the situation, and sometimes even surgical intervention.

Colon dysfunction

The second most common cause of pain at night is colon disease. This may manifest itself due to the presence of tumors, inflammation, or other serious pathologies.

Night pain in the stomach is one of the typical symptoms of inflammatory processes in the colon, as well as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

These 3 diseases are very similar in symptoms and have the following clinical manifestations:

Transfers with mucus, blood or purulent manifestations.
A sharp increase in body temperature and chills.
Pain in joints, muscle tissue and abdomen.

These diseases occur in middle-aged people. If problems in the stomach were detected in a timely manner, then with the help of medications you can eliminate the problem with medications.

But when time has been lost, and the disease develops rapidly, then surgical intervention is necessary, which involves removing part of the colon.

Very often, pain occurs due to the appearance of cancer. This is especially dangerous for people whose loved ones have suffered from cancer.

It is necessary to undergo testing for the presence increased amount cancer cells, if you have the following symptoms:

Dramatic weight loss.
Appetite worsens or disappears completely.
Increased body temperature.
Completely abstain from meat.
Appearance in stool impurities of blood or pus.

The presence of a disease such as irritable bowel syndrome is considered very common. This disorder was only recently identified as a disease. With this disease, frequent periods alternate with constipation.

Additionally, abdominal cramps may occur. This disease can be overcome with the help of medications such as: Duspatalin, Buscopan, No-shpu.

Other causes of stomach pain at night

There are other reasons for pain during the night. Some of them need to be used drug treatment or hospitalization in intensive care unit hospitals.

For example, upper stomach pain in older people may be a symptom of myocardial infarction.

In parallel, there is an increase in blood pressure, vomiting, and nausea. This is especially dangerous for people who suffer from diabetes.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis of the disease can only be determined by a doctor. He listens to the patient's symptoms, finds out how often the patient experiences pain and prescribes a test. necessary tests. It is necessary to donate blood for tests, undergo an ultrasound of internal organs, and also undergo fibrogatroduodenoscopy.

X-ray of the esophagus using barium. It is necessary to undergo an examination in order to determine the presence of ulcers in the walls of the stomach.

Additionally, it is advisable to undergo testing for the presence Helicobacter bacteria pylori

First aid and treatment in the stomach area

If stomach pain occurs at night, the patient should consult a doctor in order to determine the disease for which it is necessary to undergo treatment.

Treatment at home can have a negative impact on the body. But in case of intense pain, first aid must be provided. First, you need to stop eating for several hours. When you feel hungry, you need to drink a cup of tea.

To reduce pain in the stomach, it is necessary to take a horizontal position so that the patient is comfortable.

Stomach pain can be eliminated with ice water. You need to act carefully so as not to harm the body. To do this, take a few sips of cold water.

Also mute increased acidity stomach can be helped by using not too fatty broth or adding mint. It must be remembered that the stomach should not be empty during the day.

Each person’s body is individual, so treatment is prescribed individually by a specialist. The most important treatment for pain at night is to take medications, as well as dietary nutrition.

How to treat your stomach at home

Why do most people now try to use traditional methods? They have a very large number of positive nuances. For example, minimal side effects.

Plantain juice. You need to take 200 grams of plantain juice. You need to drink it within 24 hours. Plantain will help eliminate painful sensations. The stomach will stop hurting a few days after you start taking the juice.
Cucumber juice. It is also very good at relieving spasm and throbbing pain. Take a teaspoon before meals. A cucumber diet or fasting days have a positive effect on stomach health.
St. John's wort juice. This juice helps calm nerve fibers. You need to consume it one tablespoon at a time.
Infusion of meadowsweet. It is necessary to pour 300 grams of boiled water over the flowers and leave them in a dark, warm place for several hours.

If the treatment does not bring the desired result, then it is necessary to take more radical measures. For example, surgical intervention. Night pain in the stomach, the causes of treatment will be determined by the doctor himself.

Among the problems associated with gastroenterology, the most common are stomach pains that occur at night. This symptom causes significant discomfort because it deprives good sleep. What causes abdominal pain? And how to get rid of them?

Nature of night discomfort

If pain occurs in the epigastric region at night, it is necessary to understand the reasons for its formation. Accurate diagnosis The attending doctor will be able to diagnose. In this case, the localization of pain, its intensity and the etiology of the pathological process should be taken into account.

Night abdominal pain can occur due to the following diseases:

Also, unpleasant sensations in the abdominal cavity can be neurotic in nature and arise due to conflict situations, stress.

If pain occurs, it is necessary to pay attention to the duration of the syndrome, its nature and intensity. As a rule, adopting the fetal position helps relieve pain.

Night pain can have an unbearable dagger-like, flaccid, aching, dull form. Colic and spasms often occur. Colic usually signals that the evacuation function of the intestines is impaired. Dagger-like pain in the stomach is especially dangerous. This sign may indicate an ulcer, peritonitis or appendicitis. In such a situation, you must immediately call ambulance, and apply cold to the stomach.

Etiology of the disease

Before starting therapy, it is necessary to establish the causes of symptoms. A full examination, tests and consultation with a gastroenterologist will help determine the diagnosis.

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If the duration of unpleasant sensations is several minutes, you can usually not worry. In order to get rid of such symptoms, it is enough to reconsider your diet. If the pain lasts more than an hour, you should immediately go to the hospital to get help.

The causes of stomach pain that occurs at night may be the following:

Cramps are observed during indigestion as a result of disturbances in the acid-base balance.
Painful abdominal sensations occur due to excessive production of gastric secretions.
Due to incomplete bowel emptying.
Presence of irritable bowel syndrome, biliary dyskinesia.
Unbalanced diet. Abuse of fatty, spicy, fried, smoked and pickled foods.
Products rich in cholesterol can cause active advancement of gallstones.
As a result of individual intolerance to products: lactose, milk.

Qualified diagnostics will help to identify provoking factors.

Diagnostic measures and therapeutic therapy

To make a reliable diagnosis, you will need a comprehensive examination: ultrasound, x-ray, CT, biopsy and MRI, as well as FGDS. In addition, blood, urine and stool tests are taken. The doctor must take into account all the symptoms and perform competent palpation of the abdomen to collect a detailed medical history.

You should not self-medicate to avoid harm own health. If the pain intensifies, you must take a horizontal position. You need to stop eating food for a while; you can drink warm, but not strong tea.

In some cases, drinking cold water in small sips helps. Mint tea or light chicken broth will help relieve pain. If, despite the manipulations, it gets worse, you should abandon them and call a doctor. Medical therapy should be prescribed individually, after full examination. In addition to any therapy, therapeutic nutrition is prescribed, which must be strictly followed.

If you experience stomach pain, do not put off visiting your doctor until later. It is recommended to undergo examination and, if necessary, begin treatment. This way you can avoid dangerous complications.

Many patients complain of nighttime abdominal pain and want to find out what could be causing this.

Causes of nighttime abdominal pain

Can such sensations be considered symptoms of diseases? The answer to this question can only be found out after undergoing a full examination and passing all the required tests. And after this, treatment for nighttime abdominal pain will be prescribed. In addition, there is pain that signals an urgent need for medical help, which is why it is so important not to self-medicate. Be able to distinguish pain and, of course, consult a doctor at the first opportunity.

So, for example, abdominal pain can begin due to diseases of the abdominal space or abdominal organs, spine, genitals, nervous system, or even “flow” from chest with myocardial infarction or pericarditis. So, in the case of pain due to diseases of the abdominal cavity, symptoms may arise due to:

blood flow disorders,
smooth muscle spasms,
as well as inflammatory processes occurring in tissues and organs.

Night abdominal pain as symptoms of disease

If you have pain in the upper part and on the right, then this is most often observed with diseases of the gallbladder, liver, biliary tract, head of the pancreas, right kidney, as well as damage to the hepatic flexure of the intestine. If you have a disease of the biliary tract, the pain will also radiate to the right shoulder, with an ulcer - and pancreatic diseases - to the back, if there are kidney stones, it will hurt groin area. In the upper section, on the left, pain will signal possible damage to the stomach, pancreas, spleen, left kidney, as well as the presence of a hernia.

If you have pain in the lower abdomen, you should be wary. This may indicate an inflamed appendix, right kidney and genital organs - with pain on the right side. If the pain is tormenting on the left, this may indicate that you have damage to the left kidney, diseases of the genital organs, infection or damage to the sigmoid colon.

In order for the doctor to make a correct diagnosis, it is necessary first to establish the exact location of the pain. If you are taking painkillers, this will be quite difficult to do, so it is so important not to self-medicate, because in this way you can only harm yourself and delay the process of treating the disease, prescribed by the doctor after your thorough examination and correct diagnosis.

Late evening is the time when the ambulance and emergency departments hospitals are especially busy. During the day, changes occur in the human body. Late in the evening, the production of glucocorticoids, hormones of the adrenal cortex that suppress inflammation and associated pain, reaches a minimum. The pain sensitivity threshold decreases. Any pain associated with inflammatory processes makes itself felt more strongly.
As night approaches, the hospital is usually filled more intensely with new patients, many of whom complain of pain in the abdomen, under the ribs, and in the pit of the stomach. Some will feel better in the morning and go home. Others will have to undergo a course of treatment for a week or two.

Often it is at night that pain begins to bother acute appendicitis. Usually at the beginning the whole abdomen hurts, around the navel, then the pain shifts to the right iliac region.
“Hungry”, night pain in the upper abdomen is characteristic of some forms chronic gastritis, ulcers in the lower part of the stomach, duodenum. Usually, if you eat, the condition improves.
With gastroesophageal reflux disease (a condition in which the contents of the stomach are periodically thrown into the esophagus), chalasia cardia (insufficiency of the muscle sphincter in the lower part of the esophagus), diaphragmatic hernia, the condition worsens when a person is in a horizontal position, especially if he has eaten shortly before bedtime. In this case, the contents of the stomach enter the esophagus more easily, causing heartburn and pain.
Dyspepsia is a digestive disorder that occurs with various diseases. Pain, heaviness and bloating in the abdomen can bother you at night if you eat before bed.
Night and morning pain under the right rib can be disturbing with cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, liver diseases. Especially if the night before there was a holiday, a stormy feast with an abundance of fatty foods and alcohol.

Where to go for help?

If the pain is very intense, your general condition has deteriorated significantly, or you are concerned about other symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting, yellowing of the skin, pallor, dizziness, or increased body temperature, you need to call an ambulance. Before the doctor arrives, you should not take painkillers, laxatives, or do an enema.
If there was no emergency, the next day you need to visit a doctor - a therapist or gastroenterologist. If pain bothers you more than the first night in a row or occurs periodically for a long time, do not hesitate to go to the hospital. Symptoms of a chronic disease can be tolerated for some time, but gradually the condition will still worsen, and serious complications may develop.
In order to diagnose the cause of nighttime abdominal pain, the doctor may prescribe blood tests, abdominal tests, X-ray contrast studies, CT, MRI and other procedures.

Pain in the abdominal area - alarming symptom. This condition can be caused by minor or serious factors. According to statistics, many people experience discomfort both during the day and during sleep. Night pain in the stomach is a fairly common phenomenon that requires compulsory treatment to the doctor. The specialist will conduct necessary examination and determine the causes of pain.

After examination, the disease is diagnosed and appropriate treatment is prescribed. Doctors divide pain according to several criteria: duration, intensity and character. A negative symptom caused by pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract requires special attention to avoid irreversible consequences. As a rule, such diseases progress slowly, acquiring chronic course and causing increased symptoms.

Types of pain syndrome

In medicine, this unpleasant symptom in the stomach is called gastralgia. It is described as pain, cramping or acute in nature, resulting from disruption of internal organs, severe stress, and the appearance of malignant neoplasms.

There are several types of nighttime abdominal pain. They differ in reasons of origin, specificity and characteristics.

Psychogenic

The symptom is the result of constant and prolonged stress. Psychogenic night stomach pain is caused by negative emotions, anxiety and behavioral factors.

With this type of pain, there are completely no signs of damage to internal organs. It may be accompanied various manifestations and have a varied character.

Sometimes psychalgia develops in mentally unhealthy individuals. Most often, suspicious, restless, and hot-tempered people experience this syndrome.

Parietal

The organs of the abdominal cavity are covered with mucous membrane. It consists of large quantity nerve fibers that make it sensitive to pain.

The parietal symptom appears when it is irritated. The pain is sharp and intense, especially when moving and breathing. If you don't take action, they become cutting at night. In this case, you can easily determine their location.

Patients with this type of pain syndrome try to minimize the movement of the abdominal muscles and breathe shallowly in order to relieve pain at night.

Neurogenic

This type is chronic. Pain in the stomach at night periodically appears as “lumbago” and is accompanied by a feeling of numbness and burning.

This unpleasant symptom occurs due to damage to the nerve tissue. As a result of such disturbances, impulses are sent to pain centers.

The causes of neurogenic sensations can be: alcoholism, diabetes, HIV infection, liver cirrhosis, and multiple sclerosis.

Visceral

The painful syndrome is diffuse in nature, so it is difficult to localize. As a rule, the sensations are blurry, and it is impossible to determine what exactly hurts.

Visceral pain at night occurs as a result of activation of abdominal receptors. Interpreted as hepatic, renal or intestinal colic.

Internal organs are highly susceptible to stretching, inflammation and ischemia. But at the same time they are insensitive to other stimuli, for example, to dissection.

Nature of pain

At night my stomach hurts in different ways. The threshold of sensitivity is not the same for all people, and everyone determines the degree of discomfort in their own way.

The pain may be:

aching;
burning;
blunt;
twitching;
shooting;
cramping;
acute;
"dagger";
pulsating.

Duration of pain:

monotonous;
growing;
fading.

Symptoms

Stomach pain often appears in the epigastric region or left hypochondrium. Its location shifts slightly when the organ changes position or stretches after eating.

Pain syndromes at night must be correlated with all accompanying manifestations in order to identify their exact cause. When the stomach hurts at night, patients experience the following symptoms:

heartburn;
burping;
nausea;
heaviness;
decreased appetite;
bowel dysfunction;
insomnia;
increased sweating;
flatulence;
vomiting

Based on the intensity and duration of a nighttime pain attack, doctors determine the presence of a specific ailment. If it started suddenly and ended after a few minutes, then this means that there is no reason to worry.

Rare stomach pains are sometimes the result of poor quality food, quick reception food or overeating. The human digestive system reacts to negative factors in this way.

Pathological causes of night discomfort

If the pain begins to bother you regularly at night, there is a high probability of exacerbation of a chronic disease.

Acute attacks are often accompanied by additional symptoms, by which the main violation is determined.

Pain due to ulcers and GERD

During the period of exacerbation of the disease, the patient experiences severe pain, approximately 3-4 hours after the meal.

At night, pain from an ulcer appears in the upper abdomen, and its intensity only increases. At acute stage disease, pain begins from the center of the spine and spreads to left side sternum, back, shoulder blades. The causes of night pain are disturbances in the motor function of the stomach and spastic contractions of a local nature at the site of ulcerative-erosive pathology.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease caused by inflammation of the esophageal mucosa. This process occurs due to the release of gastric acid through a weakened lower sphincter. Typical symptoms of the disease include: heartburn, sour belching, nausea, burning pain in the chest, and sometimes a dry cough. At night, the patient's condition worsens as he assumes a supine position. To alleviate the negative syndrome, it is necessary to raise the head of the bed by 20 cm.

The stomach begins to hurt when a person wants to eat. may be caused by irritation of nerve fibers with acid from the digestive organ.

Diaphragmatic hernia and abdominal migraine

Another cause of nighttime pain attacks may be diaphragmatic hernia. With such an illness small part the stomach or intestines through the openings of the diaphragm enters from the abdominal cavity into the thoracic region. The main manifestations of the disease are: belching, flatulence, a feeling of heaviness in the upper abdomen. The pain radiates to the sternum, shoulder blade and even neck. It intensifies after each meal during the day and in the evening.

Abdominal migraine most often found in early age. This rare disease is characterized by the sudden onset of acute pain without visible reasons, which are localized around the navel. This condition usually begins in the evening and worsens at night. Pain syndrome strong or mild, and its duration ranges from a few minutes to a couple of hours.

Neurological disorders and cholelithiasis

Uncomfortable sensations at night are caused by nervous disorders And severe stress. Failures of the neurological system provoke pain and cramps in the abdomen. According to doctors, the stomach and brain have integral neural connections and common neurological pathways. Therefore, during tense situations, these organs receive the same signal.

This is why headaches and stomach pains occur at the same time. Human psychosomatics plays a big role in this case. What should be done in such cases? Treatment consists of symptomatic therapy: it is necessary to ensure complete rest, take painkillers and sedatives.

Cholelithiasis is common cause nocturnal attacks. It is characterized by the presence of stones in the gall bladder and ducts, which are formed as a result of metabolic disorders. With this disease, the digestion process malfunctions, sudden hepatic and biliary colic occurs in the upper abdomen, on the right. Similar symptoms appear during physical activity, after consuming fatty, fried, spicy foods and alcohol.

The pain can last for hours, and in some cases, days. No matter how long it lasts, you should definitely call an ambulance and not self-medicate at home.

Intestinal infections and acute pancreatitis

Night pain in the intestines appears due to disruption of the gastrointestinal tract after exposure to pathogenic microorganisms. The first signs of the disease are diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, weakness. IN acute phase body temperature rises. The patient is bothered by pain that is spasmodic in nature and lasts several minutes both day and night.

For an intestinal infection, the doctor prescribes complex treatment, consisting of taking sorbents and antibiotics, drink plenty of fluids, following a strict diet.

Acute pancreatitis caused by the development of inflammation of pancreatic tissue. The disease occurs as a result of an aggressive effect on the organ of its own produced enzymes. They are activated directly in the gland itself. The mechanism for processing pancreatic cells is launched, as a result the size of the organ increases, its tissues swell, and necrosis forms. Pain at night has a girdling character, extends to the hypochondrium on the right or left side, and covers the central part of the abdomen and lumbar region.

Endocrine disorders and achalasia cardia

Your stomach may hurt at night due to endocrine pathologies . This failure leads to functional disorders in the gastrointestinal tract. Against the background of general malaise, the patient experiences heaviness in the abdomen, increased formation of gases, belching, heartburn, changes in stool and loss of appetite.

Achalasia cardia is a pathology of the esophagus. During swallowing, the patient's peristalsis and muscle tone change, so food does not pass from the esophagus into the stomach. Difficulties arise in the process of absorption of products, since reflexive relaxation of the sphincter does not occur. Sometimes the food mass is thrown into oral cavity and gets into Airways. Most often this happens during sleep, causing a dry cough at night. Stomach pain begins on an empty stomach or during a meal.

Colon dysfunction

Colon diseases also provoke discomfort at night. This typical symptom, indicating the presence of pathology in the organ, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, tumors.

Today, the most common diagnosis is irritable bowel syndrome. With such an illness, the patient has a disturbance in his bowel movements, cramps occur, the stomach is constantly seething and rumbling, and night pain radiates to the lower back.

Doctors prescribe not only antispasmodics, but also antidepressants.

Other reasons

Pain in the upper part of the stomach at night may indicate myocardial infarction. At the same time, it increases sharply arterial pressure, the sternum and heart begin to ache very much, the left arm goes numb, and a feeling of “lack of air” appears. The painful sensations are recurrent in nature, subsiding gradually, then abruptly resuming.

Attacks at night appear in people suffering from all forms and types of gastritis in the acute stage. As a rule, such a negative symptom is characteristic of:

catarrhal;
diffuse;
atrophic;
erosive;
autoimmune;
hyperplastic gastritis.

Causes of night pain in children

A child, especially at an early age, often experiences pseudoabdominal syndrome caused by certain diseases. Such ailments include: otitis media, meningitis, osteomyelitis, tonsillitis, and influenza. Adults, unlike children, do not suffer from abdominal discomfort in these situations.

The main causes of pain in a baby’s stomach at night are:

cold;
appendicitis;
poisoning;
intestinal infection;
inflammation of the genitourinary system.

Only a specialist can determine the real reason night pain in a child, so at the first symptoms, parents should definitely contact a pediatrician.

Causes of childhood pain

Pain at night in infants - natural process. The digestive system of newborns begins to work in conditions outside the womb, the intestinal microflora is formed, which is why this reaction occurs.

Most often, the appearance of abdominal pain in a baby is caused by the following factors:

unbalanced maternal diet;
baby overeating;
incorrect technique for feeding a baby.

Diagnostics

Only a doctor can determine the exact cause of the painful syndrome at night. For this purpose, diagnostic measures are carried out. The specialist listens to the patient’s complaints, palpates the abdomen, examines the tongue, and examines clinical picture pathology and makes up the primary anamnesis. To obtain more accurate data about the condition of the body, the patient must undergo a full examination.

Additionally, the doctor prescribes:

fluoroscopy of the esophagus and stomach using contrast agents;
Ultrasound of internal organs;
gastroendoscopy or fibrogastroduodenoscopy;
computed tomography or MRI of the digestive system;
passing the necessary tests.

Based on the results obtained from laboratory research and carried out instrumental diagnostics, the gastroenterologist makes a diagnosis and prescribes appropriate treatment.

Stomach pain in women

During pregnancy. Women may experience night pain throughout the entire period of pregnancy. The main reasons for this condition include:

Early toxicosis, causing bloating, heartburn, and vomiting after eating.
Exacerbation of chronic diseases such as gastritis, ulcers, pancreatitis, cholecystitis.
Physical activity, which is especially unacceptable in the last trimester of pregnancy.
A growing uterus, squeezing the internal organs located next to it, including the stomach.
Bad habits expectant mother and stress experienced.

A pregnant woman should definitely go to her local doctor to find out the causes of stomach pain. Often therapy is done without taking medications; the doctor only adjusts the diet and rest regime of the pregnant woman.

During menstruation. The body of a woman or girl during menstruation subtly reacts to all changes. Pain in the stomach area at night can be caused by:

Increased sensitivity of the body. On critical days, a rhythmic contraction of the muscle tissue of the uterus occurs, provoking painful attacks in the abdomen.
Inflammatory process in the genitals.
Violation menstrual cycle. Such shifts in the form of delays or acceleration of the onset of menstruation signal the presence of certain diseases.
Hormonal imbalance. If the production of any elements is disrupted, night pain appears, including in the stomach.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS). A complex cyclic symptom that causes a painful condition due to psycho-emotional, vegetative-vascular and metabolic disorders.

Treatment

Therapy for night pain should be comprehensive.

To relieve the syndrome at home, use the following tips.

Emergency help

A person can help himself the first time he experiences a pain attack. In such cases, you need to act carefully and focus on the intensity and duration of negative manifestations.

To reduce nighttime pain in the stomach, you should give up late dinner, drink a glass of ice water, take a horizontal position and try to sleep.

If the pain does not subside at night and nothing helps, then you can resort to painkillers. The main thing is not to wait until it becomes unbearable, but to call an ambulance.

Traditional medicine

Traditional methods are a complement to the main treatment. Herbal medicine has many positive points. It effectively eliminates the symptoms of the disease, has an analgesic effect, enriches the body with valuable substances, removes inflammation of the mucous membrane, and accelerates the healing of erosions.

Painful discomfort at night is effectively relieved by:

Juice from cucumbers, plantain or St. John's wort. Healing drink you need to take 20 ml. three times a day before meals.
Chamomile decoction. It has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial effects.
Tea made from St. John's wort, dried herb and yarrow. To prepare it you will need 3 tsp. herbal collection and 0.5 l. boiled water. The resulting mixture should be left covered for several hours and 200 ml should be drunk. on an empty stomach and at night.

Treatment at home

Drug therapy consists of:

painkillers (No-Shpa, Spazmalgon, Dexalgin);
enzyme agents(Mezim, Creon);
anti-ulcer tablets (Omez, Pantoprazole, Lansoprazole);
antacid syrups (Almagel, Maalox, Phosphalugel);
enterosorbents (Smecta, white coal).

To help yourself, you need to give up food for 4-5 hours. When you feel hungry, you can make a cup of weak tea and drink it warm. For severe night pain, you are allowed to drink No-shpa or an antacid. Self-medication is dangerous to your health, so consult a doctor as soon as possible to make a diagnosis and prescribe appropriate drug therapy!

Prevention

Basic measures to prevent night pain include:

compliance with dietary nutrition;
exception bad habits;
strengthening the body's defenses;
healthy sleep;
refusal of a late heavy dinner;
absence stressful situations;
suitable physical activity;
regular diagnosis of ailments.

Stomach pain at night may be accompanied by different symptoms. Such a negative state indicates the development of pathologies in the gastrointestinal tract. The exact cause of the pain is determined by the doctor after diagnostic measures. He chooses an effective treatment regimen, which can be independently supplemented with harmless folk remedies.