What is gastritis and stomach pain?
Symptoms such as pain in the stomach, bloating, nausea, and loss of appetite can be caused by various diseases such as gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, and reflux esophagitis.
Gastritis occurs when inflammation develops in the lining of the stomach. It can be caused by pain medications, alcohol consumption, and the infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. In addition, there is also a condition called functional dyspepsia, in which stomach pain and bloating persist even when no obvious abnormalities are found during tests such as a gastric endoscopy.
Furthermore, the pain in the gallbladder can be caused by diseases affecting not only the stomach but also the gallbladder, the heart, and other organs; therefore, it is important to evaluate the symptoms accordingly.
In such cases, seek medical attention.
- The pain in the groin, the stomach cramps, and the discomfort continue.
- Feeling stomach pain when fasting or after eating, especially at night
- The stomach discomfort continues and appetite is declining.
- I'm taking pain medication and my stomach isn't feeling well.
- The stomach symptoms are recurring
In the following cases, immediate emergency medical care is required:
- I spit out blood, a kind of dark liquid like coffee.
- The stool is black (like ink).
- There is sudden severe abdominal pain, and the entire abdomen is stiff and tense.
- There is a tightening pain in the jaw and chest, accompanied by cold sweats and shortness of breath.
Tests performed at our clinic
We will check the location and time of pain, its relationship with food, the duration of the symptoms, and the medications you are taking, and then perform an abdominal examination. If necessary, we will perform blood tests to check for anemia and inflammation.
If a gastroscopy (endoscopic examination) is necessary to view the inside of the stomach directly, we will introduce you to medical institutions that can perform this examination.
The medical institutions that are collaborating are:About Partner HospitalsPlease visit the page for the "What is a cookie?" section.
medical treatment
For symptoms such as stomach pain and heartburn, depending on the disease or symptom that may be thought to be the cause, medications that suppress stomach acid secretion or those that normalize stomach function are used.
Also, if pain medication is involved in the symptoms, we will consider reviewing the prescription as necessary. We will also suggest improvements based on the patient’s lifestyle habits, such as meal portion size, timing, alcohol consumption, and smoking.
If symptoms do not improve or if further testing is deemed necessary, we will consider referring you to a specialized medical institution.
Frequently asked questions
Q. Which department should I consult if my stomach hurts?
A. At our clinic, we provide internal medicine care. If a gastric endoscopy is necessary, we will recommend a medical institution that can perform the procedure.
Q. Do I always need an endoscopy if I have stomach pain?
A. It is not necessary for everyone to have a gastric endoscopy. Depending on the symptoms and progress, treatment may first be administered through medication. However, if symptoms persist or if weight loss, anemia, or other symptoms are observed, more detailed testing such as an endoscopy may be necessary.
Q. Even though the stomach pain persists, does the test always show no abnormalities?
A. Yes. Even if the test does not reveal any obvious abnormalities, there is a condition called “functional dyspepsia” that causes persistent stomach pain and bloating. Depending on the symptoms, we will consider treatment with medications that suppress stomach acid or that restore normal stomach function.