The pit of the stomach refers to the hollow in the center under the breastbone. When you have indigestion when you normally eat food, you may experience pain in the pit of the stomach. In addition, several factors, such as excessive intake of spicy and irritating food and confusion of the autonomic nervous system due to excessive stress, also cause pain and stuffiness in the vicinity of the pit of the stomach. However, if pain occurs continuously in the pit of the stomach, not because of a one-time symptom of a single cycle or stimulant food intake, it is possible to suspect the occurrence of a specific disease. So today, let’s find out what are the various diseases that can be suspected when the pain in the pit of the stomach continues.
1. Reflux esophagitis
The first disease that can be suspected when pain occurs near the pit of the stomach is reflux esophagitis. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is an inflammation of the esophagus caused by the reflux of gastric acid or gastric contents into the esophagus. Acid reflux can cause persistent pain around the pit of the stomach, and it can be accompanied by heartburn, chest tightness, sinus congestion, and a feeling that there is a foreign body stuck in the throat. If reflux esophagitis persists over a long period of time, it may increase the risk of developing esophageal cancer.
2. Peptic Ulcer
Peptic ulcers such as stomach ulcers and duodenal ulcers are also diseases that cause pain near the pit of the stomach. When these peptic ulcer symptoms occur, it not only causes pit of the stomach pain, but also causes abdominal heartburn and abdominal pain after eating. However, sometimes symptoms occur with or without eating. If peptic ulcer is left untreated for a long time, symptoms of black stools and hematemesis may appear, and if symptoms are severe, there may also be a risk of gastrointestinal perforation, a hole in the wall of the stomach and duodenum.
3. Cholelithiasis
Cholelithiasis is a condition in which bile components are condensed and deposited in the gallbladder or bile ducts. When cholesterol levels rise abnormally, it is known that the cholesterol in the bile becomes supersaturated and gallstones form. These gallstones not only cause persistent and severe pain in the pit of the stomach or upper right stomach, but are also accompanied by various symptoms such as heaviness, nausea, vomiting, low fever, chills, jaundice, and muddy gray stool. Even with gallstones, 80% of people have no symptoms or complications for the rest of their lives. However, stomach pain can occur in about 20% of cases, and about 2% of them can lead to cholecystitis or other complications.
4. Pancreatitis
The pancreas is an organ that secretes digestive enzymes and produces hormones that regulate blood sugar, such as insulin and glucagon. Pancreatitis refers to an inflammatory disease that occurs in the pancreas, and is broadly classified into acute and chronic forms. Pancreatitis is caused by excessive alcohol consumption, obstruction of the pancreatic duct by gallstones, or trauma. It causes severe pain near the pit of the stomach and upper abdomen, especially when lying down. Also, bending your back or sitting down will relieve some of the pain. Other symptoms such as mild fever, nausea, vomiting, and increased blood pressure may also accompany it.
other suspected disease
In addition to the various diseases mentioned above, pain around the pit of the stomach can also occur due to cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction and angina. In particular, the coronary arteries that deliver blood to the heart muscle are narrowed and the blood supply is not smooth, so this pain can occur. Also, pain may appear when appendicitis, an inflammation of the appendix at the end of the appendix, occurs. Initially, it appears as upper abdominal pain, but gradually it is localized to the right lower abdomen and causes pain. Other symptoms such as loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and fever are also symptoms of appendicitis.
How to prevent and manage pit of the stomach pain
In order to reduce the pain and prevent related diseases, it is necessary to implement various management methods. As the pain that occurs in the pit of the stomach is known to be deeply related to eating habits in many cases, it is necessary to reduce the intake of spicy and irritating foods, oily and high-calorie meat, processed foods, and instant foods. In addition, it is recommended to increase the intake of foods that are easy on the stomach and not difficult to digest. In addition, excessive drinking habits and smoking are closely related to the development of various diseases mentioned above, so they should be reduced and restricted. In addition, regular exercise helps blood circulation and properly manages stress plays an important role in reducing pit of the stomach pain and preventing related diseases.
