Why does the stomach hurt when pressed: reasons for what to do

During a medical examination, the doctor checks what the abdomen feels like, where there are unpleasant sensations on palpation, that is, when pressing on the abdomen, feeling. This is done to identify the clinical sign - pain. If the pain is felt by the patient himself, the soreness is detected by the doctor: the patient may not know exactly what he will feel when pressing on a certain area.

The article will tell you about the causes of pain identified during self-examination by pressing on the anterior abdominal wall.

Topographic division of the abdominal cavity

Start by determining the zone in which, when pressed I have a stomachache.

Physicians identify nine such areas. To detect them, the abdominal surface is conventionally divided by four lines located on the abdomen, as in the game "Tic-tac-toe". The first horizontal line runs directly below the ribs from right to left. The second is from one ilium (the uppermost part of the pelvis) to the other, this line is located approximately where the elastic of panties usually ends up. Vertical lines are placed to the right and left of the navel so as to divide the anterior surface of the abdominal cavity into three equal vertical parts. Thus, we get nine parts equal in width.

We move from left to right along the upper "cells" of the abdominal zone:

• Left hypochondrium (from above it is limited by the ribs, from below - by the upper horizontal line).
• The epigastric region or epigastrium (has a triangular appearance: from above it is limited by the ribs and the xiphoid process of the sternum, from below - by the upper horizontal line).
• Right hypochondrium (from above it is limited by the ribs, from below - by the upper horizontal line).

We move from left to right along the second level of "cells" of the abdominal cavity, bounded from above by an upper horizontal line, from below - by a lower horizontal line:

• Left side;
• Paraumbilical;
• Right side area.

We move from left to right along the third, lower level, bounded from above by a lower horizontal line, from below and on the sides - by the bones of the pelvis:

• Left iliac (has the form of a triangle);
• Suprapubic (bounded from below by the pubic bone);
• Right iliac (also triangular) area.

Right hypochondrium	Epigastric (epigastric) region.	Left hypochondrium
Right side region.	Peri-umbilical region.	Left side region
Right iliac region.	Suprapubic region.	Left iliac region.

If you put on the resulting "map" of the zone of pain in abdominal pathologies, each pathology reveals its own localization area.

Cholecystitis; gallstones; pancreatitis; stomach ulcer.	Gastritis, stomach ulcer.	Spleen diseases.
Colitis; constipation.	Pancreatitis; appendicitis; gastritis.	Diverticulitis; constipation; colitis.
Appendicitis; gynecological diseases; duodenal ulcer.	Gastritis; gynecological diseases; inflammatory bowel disease; appendicitis.	Diverticulitis; gynecological diseases enterocolitis; intestinal adhesions.

The main causes of pressure pain

Here are some of the possible pathologies that cause pain when you press your fingers on your stomach. For all pathological processes, tenderness on palpation does not become the only symptom; it is important to pay attention to accompanying symptoms.

Acute gastritis

A common cause of pain when pressing on the umbilical and suprapubic regions is acute gastritis, in this case the stomach hurts. The disease is accompanied by symptoms:

• Nausea;
• Vomit;
• Diarrhea;
• Feeling weak;
• Grayish plaque on the tongue;
• Increased salivation or, conversely, dry mouth;
• In some cases, a rise in body temperature.

It is important to confirm the diagnosis with a doctor, since pain when pressing fingers on the lower abdomen can indicate appendicitis.

Appendicitis

With appendicitis, the soreness becomes maximal when the right iliac part is pressed. Discomfort does not peak during pressing. It comes when the fingers are removed. This nature of pain indicates a serious pathology and the need to urgently consult a doctor.

Stomach ulcer

On palpation of the epigastric zone, a patient with a stomach ulcer will feel pain, accompanied by spontaneous tension of the abdominal muscles in the indicated zone. Muscle tension is especially well felt when the fingers are pushed against the stomach.

Duodenal ulcer

Soreness when pressing on the right ileal zone, which is accompanied by spontaneous muscle tension, becomes the result of a neglected duodenal ulcer. In the early stages of the development of the disease, there are no obvious painful sensations on palpation.

Spleen pathology

Painful sensations on palpation are sometimes provoked by an increase in the spleen. It is strictly forbidden to press strongly on the area of ​​its location: the spleen is a fragile organ, its rupture can occur due to inaccurate palpation. In case of problems with the spleen, a characteristic symptom appears - cyanosis of the skin surrounding the navel. The intensity of discomfort with an increase in the spleen can spread to the intestines due to its squeezing and displacement.

Gynecological diseases

In women, soreness when pressing on the abdomen can occur with inflammation of the appendages (adnexitis), polycystic ovaries. The focus of disturbing sensations is localized in the iliac and suprapubic regions.

Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is an inflammatory disease that affects the intestines. With it, palpation of the left lateral, left iliac regions causes acute pain if you press on the focus of inflammation. Painful sensations can increase with physical exertion, coughing, laughing.

Cholecystitis

This is an inflammation of the gallbladder. In addition to soreness in the right hypochondrium, tapping with the edge of the palm along the edge of the right costal arch helps to detect malaise: cholecystitis, such an action will cause severe pain that appears during tapping and disappears after it stops actions.

Pancreatitis

Palpation of pancreatitis, inflammation of the pancreas, is considered a complex procedure that is problematic to perform without special education. Pain is noticeable on palpation six centimeters above the navel.

What to do after self-examination

If abdominal pain occurs on palpation, it is necessary to consult a specialist, only he is able to determine what caused the discomfort. The doctor will conduct a professional examination, get acquainted with the patient's anamnesis, and ask questions about accompanying symptoms. A sick person is able to miss an important symptom, the doctor will definitely pay attention to it.

Based on the results of the examination and survey, the patient will receive referrals for tests, additional examinations: ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, computed tomography, endoscopic examinations. If necessary, an emergency operation is prescribed.

How to deal with pressure pain

Self-medication is not recommended. Taking painkillers is especially dangerous. Pain, its nature and localization are the main sources of information about what a person is sick with. Before a medical examination, the use of analgesics is strictly prohibited!

The only thing that can be done is to follow a therapeutic diet: exclude spicy, salty, fried, coffee and strong tea from the diet. Eating inaccuracies themselves will cause abdominal pain.

The use of alkaline mineral water will ease the condition. Drink should be plentiful, frequent, sips small. The use of warm mineral water is indicated for patients with gastric and duodenal ulcers.

If the pain is caused not by a serious pathology, but by a functional disorder of the digestive tract due to overeating or stress, it is allowed to take Activated Charcoal or Smecta. To relieve the spasm, an adult can take a couple of No-shpa, Drotaverinum tablets.