When experiencing persistent, prolonged stomach pain, patients should pay special attention and not take it lightly, as it could be a warning sign of gastrointestinal diseases or even stomach cancer.
1. What Digestive Diseases Does Severe Stomach Pain Warn About?
Stomach pain can occur at varying degrees and from many causes. Typically, stomach pain can result from factors like eating habits, stress, food poisoning, or medication side effects. However, in cases of persistent, prolonged pain, there may be underlying stomach-related diseases to consider.
1.1. Stomach Pain Signaling Ulcer Disease
Frequent stomach pain may indicate ulcers in the stomach or duodenum. The majority of cases (up to 80%) are associated with H. pylori bacterial infection or unhealthy eating habits and the prolonged misuse of medications.
The typical stomach pain caused by ulcers often originates from the epigastric region, with varying intensities ranging from dull to cramping pain, depending on the severity of the damage. Patients often experience pain when the stomach is empty (2-3 hours after eating), after overeating, or during the night.
In addition, patients may also exhibit the following digestive symptoms:
- Bloating, indigestion
- Belching, acid reflux
- Nausea and headaches (*Does stomach pain cause headaches?*)
- Burning sensation in the epigastric area, sometimes accompanied by chest pain
- Digestive disorders, including diarrhea, constipation, or both
- Loss of appetite, poor digestion, and nutrient absorption, potentially leading to malnutrition and rapid weight loss
1.2. Antral Gastric Ulcer
Less common than gastric and duodenal ulcers, antral ulcers are another cause of frequent stomach pain. Specifically, the affected area is the gastric antrum (the horizontal part of the stomach).
Pain indicating antral ulcers is often dull but can also come with cramping sensations. In the early stages, the pain may appear after eating, but as the condition worsens, the pain can occur at night or any time during the day.
In addition to stomach pain, those with antral ulcers may experience the following discomforts:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Irregular bowel movements, with alternating loose and hard stools, sometimes resembling small, pellet-like stools
- Poor nutrient absorption, leading to weight loss, fatigue, and pale skin
If antral ulcers are not detected and treated properly from the beginning, they can lead to severe complications. The stomach pain will become more intense and persistent, significantly affecting the patient’s health and quality of life.
1.3. Stomach Pain as a Warning of Stomach Cancer
Approximately 25% of stomach cancer cases have a history of gastric ulcers, often progressing from chronic gastritis. Additional risk factors include H. pylori infection, unhealthy diets, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, or family history.
What makes stomach cancer even more dangerous (*Exercises for people with stomach pain*) is that the symptoms are often mild and unclear. As a result, many cases are only diagnosed at an advanced stage. Therefore, it is crucial to pay attention to the following signs:
- Persistent epigastric pain, starting mildly and vaguely, then becoming more severe and continuous
- Digestive symptoms such as loss of appetite, inability to feel full, nausea, and vomiting
- Frequent abdominal pain throughout the day. Patients may experience unexplained rapid weight loss, fatigue, and pale skin, along with symptoms such as vomiting blood or passing black stools
- There may also be signs of distant metastases, commonly affecting the liver, peritoneum, or lymph nodes
These insights from Truso about persistent, continuous stomach pain aim to address your concerns. For further advice, don’t hesitate to contact Truso right away!