Signs of stomach pain due to food poisoning

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Dong Xuan Ha - Department of Medical Examination and Internal Medicine - Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital.
Abdominal pain is one of the symptoms of food poisoning. Knowing the signs of food poisoning will help you distinguish the symptoms of abdominal pain in many other diseases.

1. Abdominal pain due to food poisoning

Abdominal pain is a common digestive symptom. Abdominal pain usually does not last long and is caused by an infection in the digestive tract or a mild digestive disorder, in addition to abdominal pain can be due to many other causes.
Food poisoning is a disease acquired after eating food due to one of the following agents: microorganisms, chemicals, or foreign objects in food.
Common manifestations of food poisoning are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, with or without fever, sometimes with or without additional symptoms such as headache, dizziness, muscle pain, difficulty breathing.
Severe food poisoning can lead to death, mild also causes both physical and mental fatigue for the patient.

2. The difference of stomach pain caused by food poisoning compared to other types of stomach pain

2.1 Poisoning Abdominal Pain Usually when poisoned, patients often present with episodic abdominal pain accompanied by diarrhea. The pain may ease for a while after each bowel movement or after vomiting.
The most effective remedy is a warm compress, herbal tea or ginger ale for pain relief, especially avoiding coffee or alcohol, which can further irritate and lead to dehydration.
2.2 Appendicitis Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix. The appendix is ​​a small pouch that protrudes from the intestinal wall. Appendicitis is a common disease that occurs every day.
The specific symptom is abdominal pain that gradually worsens over 6 to 24 hours. Pain usually begins in the mid-abdomen or above the navel, but is later localized to the right lower abdomen (right iliac fossa).
Some cases have few specific symptoms.
2.3 Constipation Constipation is a common cause. Constipation means fewer bowel movements than usual, or difficulty pushing or painful bowel movements. Occasionally there is intermittent abdominal pain in the lower middle abdomen or to the left. If constipation is severe, you may experience bloating and fatigue.
2.4 Bloating Indigestion Indigestion is feeling uncomfortable in the body after eating. It could be an uncomfortable feeling in the upper abdomen or behind the breastbone. It usually occurs after eating a specific food, which can be high in fat and protein. There may also be a feeling of belching a lot and a sour taste in the mouth. It usually appears within a few hours. Over-the-counter medications can help ease the pain.
For the elderly or people with heart disease, abdominal pain due to indigestion that occurs with exertion or stress will be worrisome.
It is sometimes difficult to distinguish angina or a heart attack from indigestion. If the pain radiates up your jaw or down your left arm, it could be angina. If it goes away quickly, try seeing a doctor, and if it doesn't go away and feels uncomfortable, call 911.
2.5 Irritable Bowel Syndrome Irritable bowel syndrome is a common disorder in women, after the age of 40. The cause of the disease is still unknown.
Symptoms can be quite different, including: Abdominal pain, bloating, possibly diarrhea and/or constipation. Symptoms appear and disappear. Irritable bowel syndrome has no cure, but symptoms can often be relieved with treatment.

2.6 Kidney stones Abdominal pain that is first in the back and feels like spreading to the abdomen to the inner thighs, may be due to kidney stones. Severe abdominal pain that appears, comes on and goes away, is called renal colic. The pain goes away as the stone passes through the blockage.
Sometimes the stone can't pass, need to go to the hospital to break the stone into smaller stones. There may also be blood in the urine.
2.7 Pelvic Inflammation A pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the uterus and fallopian tubes that is treated with antibiotics.
The most common symptom is pain in the lower abdomen (small pelvis), which can range from mild to severe. There may be pain during sex. Women may experience accompanying vaginal discharge, foul-smelling white discharge, and itching.
2.8 Urinary tract infection This is a common cause of constant pain in the lower abdomen in women. It is very rare in men. Accompanied by abdominal pain, fatigue and sweating may be present. When urinating, there may be sharp pain, sharp pain and blood in the urine.
2.9 Crohn's Disease Crohn's disease is an infection of the intestines. The disease occurs occasionally. Symptoms vary depending on which part of the intestine is inflamed and the extent of the inflammation. Common symptoms are diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fatigue.
2.10 Gallstones A lot of people don't know they have gallstones. Symptoms include severe pain in the upper right abdomen, known as biliary colic. The most painful site is usually on the right side, just below the ribs.
If the stone is pushed into the bile duct (and then into the intestine) or back into the gallbladder, the pain will decrease and go away. If pain in the upper right abdomen is accompanied by jaundice and fever, it is possible that you have stones in the main bile duct and an infection.
In this case, you should go to the hospital early for an accurate diagnosis and the most effective treatment.
Gallstone abdominal pain can last a few minutes but is more common for several hours. Severe pain may occur only once in a lifetime or it may recur every now and then.
Less intense pain but occasional discomfort occurs, especially after a fatty meal when the gallbladder is at its smallest.
2.11 Dysmenorrhea Most women experience abdominal pain during their menstrual cycle. The pain is usually moderate, but in some cases the pain is so severe that it interferes with daily activities, making it impossible to go to school or work.
With the elderly, abdominal pain tends to decrease. Anti-inflammatory pain relievers can be used to ease the pain.
2.12 Stomach and duodenal ulcers Pain from ulcers can come and go on its own. Pain in the upper abdomen but may also radiate to the back.
Pain usually occurs in the evening and upon waking. Eating may relieve pain, but with some types of ulcers the pain increases. Patients need to consult a doctor for gastroscopy to rule out malignancies and have appropriate treatment.
With 14 years of experience in the field of Endoscopy - Gastroenterology, Doctor Dong Xuan Ha proficiently performs diagnostic gastrointestinal endoscopy techniques, emergency interventions and therapeutic interventions.

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