The human abdomen is the center of major body parts including the digestive system. This is where the food gets processed for extracting the nutrients that are necessary for the functioning of the body.
However, one may experience severe pain in the abdomen which may vanish soon or last longer.
Why do people experience a pinching sensation in abdomen?
Pinching sensation in abdomen may occur due to digestive problems, ulcers or muscle injury. It may also be due to infection, female genital issues or many other reasons. These may cause belly pain or even pelvic pain.
Read below to get an idea of the possible reasons that lead to belly pain! You’ll also get to know the possible ways to treat the problem.
Table of Content
Causes
Pinching sensation in the abdomen might cause a person to double over or become immobile for a short period. Anxiety over the next wave of pain might build up as the agony subsides.
Numerous reasons can lead to experiencing abdominal pain. Timely treatment can relieve the discomforting situation and prevent catastrophic consequences, even if the underlying reason is significant!
Symptoms alone may not justify the occurrence of pinching in the abdominal part. It’s critical to keep track of other symptoms and probable causes.
Pinching sensation in abdomen occurs due to a variety of reasons, including:
- Natural Gas
Gas is a frequent issue that causes abdominal wall pain. But it goes away on its own under normal circumstances.
Bloating and gas are relatively prevalent issues. They occur usually in a cyclical pattern.
Gas might even cause shoulder pain!
No long-term after-effects are associated with gas but it may be painful, intense, and severe to experience sometimes. It may gradually deteriorate over many minutes, then improve, only to deteriorate again.
One may experience gas due to a variety of factors, for example:
- indigestion
- gastrointestinal viruses
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- ingesting too much air
- lactose intolerance and other food sensitivities
Gas discomfort is commonly relieved by over-the-counter (OTC) gas treatments. A variety of cures are available online as well. Heating pads or a mild tummy massage may also help some people.
Visit a doctor if you experience gas regularly. The practitioner can assist in diagnosing any underlying problems and provide advice on managing symptoms.
- Viruses of The Stomach
Viruses in the stomach, such as norovirus, produce severe cramping in the belly region that comes and goes. Vomiting frequently follows the cramps and provides brief relief from the high waves of pain.
Stomach virus symptoms might continue for many days. Their side effects include fever and muscle pain.
Often, stomach infections resolve in a few days. During this period, it is critical to consume enough water.
Call a doctor if symptoms worsen or if a person appears dehydrated.
- Affected Liver And Gallbladder
Gallstones and pain in the upper abdomen may indicate a problem with the gallbladder.
These stones may block the ducts of the gallbladder, making digestion difficult. This pain is especially experienced after fatty food intake. The people who face the existence of gallstones experience pain after eating which may last up to 6 hours.
Sometimes gallstones pass away on their own but gallstones treatment is needed in other cases. If gallstones are not treated timely then they may lead to liver and pancreas issues.
People experiencing fever, pale stool, and vomiting should seek medical treatment as a priority. Get a treatment plan from the doctor as gallstones are not treatable with home remedies.
- Gastrointestinal Issues
A person who has intense stomach discomfort or upper abdominal pain after eating frequently may have a digestive issue.
Periodic intense discomfort in the stomach can be caused by a variety of digestive diseases. The discomfort may elevate after intake of food as the body experiences trouble digesting.
The following are some of the possible reasons for digestive issues:
- IBS or dietary sensitivities inflammatory bowel disorders (IBDs), such as Crohn’s or Colitis
- Celiac disease, which is when the body’s immune system attacks its tissue when the person consumes gluten.
Keeping a diet journal can assist a doctor in determining the cause of the problem and the treatment plan.
One may try pain relievers, heating pads, and resting to sort out this situation.
- Ulcer
An ulcer causes damage to the stomach and intestine lining. These ulcers may occur due to:
- H-pylori infection in stomach
- Extensive usage of NSAIDs
Ulcers may lead to stinging, sharp, and burning stomach pain. The burning may travel to the chest, mouth, or throat, provoking indigestion and heart-burning.
After a heavy or acidic meal, symptoms are frequently severe.
Furthermore, the discomfort may come and go.
To relieve ulcer symptoms, Antacids may be beneficial. Both over the counter and online, a variety of brands of antacids are accessible.
Medication might also be prescribed by a doctor to alleviate the discomfort.
- Muscle Injury And Pain
Abdominal pain may occur as a result of a sedentary lifestyle or traumas which trigger intense bodily reactions. These injuries can produce intermittent discomfort.
A muscle injury might be indicated by pain that occurs only in specific postures, like when lifting, or after activity.
Muscular injury is not life-threatening and it is treatable at home with proper rest, massaging, and hot or cold packs. You can get ice packs online for pain treatment.
It is preferable to contact a doctor if home therapy does not work or if the pain is severe.
- Menstrual Cramps
For women, menstrual cramps can be a reason for a pinching sensation in abdomen.
These may be severe or mild in intensity and may lead to lower abdominal pain. They might affect a single part of the abdomen or the entire back and legs.
Menstrual cramps lead to belly pain and become the reason behind diarrhea and nausea as well.
Furthermore, menstrual cramps can happen at any time during or just before a period. They usually occur in waves, improving and getting worse over the day.
Menstrual discomfort can be relieved with the use of a heating pad, over-the-counter pain medications, and mild stretching. Heating pads for pain treatment may be purchased on the internet.
Although menstrual cramps are not harmful, they can make daily living unpleasant. A girl should consider visiting a doctor if menstrual cramps are intense and interfere with routine life activities.
- Cysts in Ovary
Usually, cysts in the ovary are harmless but in severe cases, they may lead to intense abdominal pain. Many women are unaware of their existence in the first place.
Ovarian cysts may appear after ovulation and disappear in a few months.
These cysts may cause discomfort in the lower abdomen or on one side. They may lead to an intense menstrual cycle too.
Women who suspect painful ovarian cysts should visit a doctor immediately. Painful ovarian cyst treatment includes over-the-counter pain medicines and warm compresses to relieve pain.
Along with this, ovarian torsion is a condition to keep in mind too. It is characterized by sudden, severe discomfort in the lower pelvis. Visit a doctor to be sure which condition you have.
- The Ovulation Process
For women, an abnormality with the ovulation process may cause abdominal pain as well.
During ovulation, the egg ruptures from the follicle and makes its way into the fallopian tube. This process may cause mittelschmerz (ovulation pain), a short sore experienced during the ovulation period.
Ovulation discomfort is pain that happens once a month amid the menstrual cycle.
The good news is that ovulation discomfort is not harmful. It can even be a useful fertility indicator for people who are trying to conceive!
- Braxton-Hicks Contractions
Pinching sensation in abdomen during pregnancy might signal the preparation of the uterus to give birth. Sharp stomach aches in pregnant women might suggest Braxton-Hicks contractions.
Braxton-Hick contractions are frequent and are sometimes referred to as “false labor” since they can mimic actual contractions in intensity. They’re usually irregular and only emerge at specific periods, such as when a woman is dehydrated.
Real labor contractions are prone to get intense over time. The following are signs that a woman is in labor:
- Contractions have a clear pattern
- Contractions that become more frequent
- A vaginal bleed or a vaginal discharge
- An ache that starts at the uterus’s top
Any indications of labor should be reported to a doctor or midwife, especially if the pregnancy has not reached full term.
Ovulation pain, for example, is a common cause of occasional stomach pain that does not require treatment. If you are experiencing sharp pain in your abdomen due to food intake then visit a doctor but treatment at home is possible as well.
It can be difficult to know whether to go to the doctor or wait. So any symptoms should be noted. Severe or worsening pain may require medical attention.
Consult A Physician
You should consult a physician before taking any medicines. Following are some situations when you should contact a physician:
- Stomach ache that is intolerable and becomes worse over time
- Increasing menstrual cramps or severe cramps frequently
- A worsening of gastrointestinal symptoms
- Intermittent or slight pain in upper right abdomen, which may be due to an ulcer or a digestive issue
The following symptoms may necessitate immediate medical attention:
- Premature labor signs include severe stomach discomfort throughout the pregnancy.
- Severe discomfort in the right upper abdomen
- Symptoms of dehydration include bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and sunken eyes or dry lips
- Abdominal pain that is abrupt, strong, and inexplicable
FAQs
Question: Why do I feel a twinge in my stomach?
Answer: During pregnancy, constipation, ligament discomfort, or trapped wind are the most common causes of twinges and stomach pain.
Question: What does lower abdominal pain mean for a woman?
Answer: A urinary tract infection, generally known as a UTI, can cause lower abdomen pain in women. As well as urinary symptoms such as burning when peeing or the need to go to the bathroom frequently or urgently. The pain can also be due to a menstrual cramp.
Question: Severe stomach pain food poisoning?
Answer: Contact your doctor right away if your stomach pain is severe or accompanied by symptoms like: Nausea, fever, or the inability to keep food down, for several days. These are all symptoms of food poisoning. Blood in stool is also a symptom!
Summing Up
A pinching sensation in abdomen is observed in many people.
These sensations may occur due to problems with the digestive system, muscular damage, or other problems.
If the pain is mild and is related to minor food digestion issues then it may be treated at home. In case of severe abdominal pain consider seeking medical advice immediately!
