Intestinal Pain: Why the Intestines Hurt and What the Causes Can Be

Abdominal pain is a general term: an unpleasant sensation associated with actual or possible tissue damage. The intestine is only one of the organs in the abdominal cavity, so pain alone cannot determine its source. Pain can arise in any organ of the abdomen, and sometimes it starts outside it.

Can the intestines hurt, and how does the pain manifest

The intestine can be a source of pain. Visceral pain (from the organ itself) occurs with distension of a hollow organ, including the large and small intestine, and is spasmodic and intermittent in nature. It is poorly localized: distension of the middle part of the digestive tract is felt in the periumbilical region, and of the lower part of the intestine above the pubis. Such pain is often accompanied by sweating, nausea, vomiting, and pallor.

Somatic pain (from irritation of the peritoneum) is more intense and more precisely localized. By duration, pain is distinguished as acute (up to 3 months), chronic, and recurrent — recurring at least 3 times within 3 months.

Why the intestines hurt: common causes

Common causes include gas accumulation (bloating, flatulence), constipation (difficulty passing stool or less often than usual), intestinal infection or food poisoning (watery stool, nausea, vomiting), and indigestion (a feeling of fullness, heartburn, nausea). Irritable bowel syndrome (persistent cramps, bloating, diarrhea, constipation) and appendicitis (pain in the lower right part of the abdomen) are listed separately.

Inflammatory and functional causes of pain

The causes of recurrent pain in adults are divided into anatomical, infectious, non-infectious inflammatory, biochemical, and functional. Acute inflammatory diseases of the abdominal cavity that manifest with pain include appendicitis, cholecystitis, and pancreatitis.

Aching pain in the intestines: what it may mean

Aching pain does not point to a specific diagnosis. Intensity does not reflect severity: severe pain does not always mean a serious problem, and mild pain is not always safe. If mild pain lasts a week or more or is combined with other symptoms, it is recommended to see a doctor.

Which signs indicate a dangerous condition

Warning signs of acute surgical pathology: pain as the first symptom of the disease, refusal to eat, waking from pain, vomiting against a background of pain, absence of stool and gas, pallor, cold sweat, and tension of the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall. The last sign is the most significant.

• The pain arose suddenly and is very severe
• Vomiting of blood or vomit that is green or coffee-ground colored
• A lot of blood from the anus or black sticky stool
• Inability to urinate, or complete absence of stool and gas
• A rash that does not blanch when pressed, or difficulty breathing

Intestinal pain by itself is not a reason to call an ambulance; 103 or 112 — if the pain began suddenly and is very severe, there is vomiting of blood or coffee-ground material, a lot of blood from the anus or black sticky stool, inability to urinate, absence of stool and gas, a rash has appeared that does not blanch when pressed, or breathing is difficult.

How the cause of pain is determined and when to see a doctor

For acute pain, a complete blood count, a plain abdominal radiograph, abdominal ultrasound, and esophagogastroduodenoscopy if bleeding is suspected are used. The doctor assesses the location, duration, and accompanying symptoms. You should see a doctor if pain, bloating, or indigestion do not go away or return, if there is a tumor-like formation in the abdomen, or if diarrhea or vomiting persists for several days.

This material is for reference: it describes possible causes but does not replace a doctor's consultation.

This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer