Stabbing Pain in Stomach

The abdominal cavity in the human body lies between the chest and the pelvis. Organs that are located in the abdomen include the stomach, liver, spleen, gallbladder, pancreas, small intestine and the large intestine. The kidneys are bean-shaped organs that are located at the rear of the abdominal cavity. The term 'abdominal pain' is often used for referring to the pain felt in the stomach region. The intensity of the pain could range from mild to severe. Pain could be felt for a brief period or may even be constant or long-lasting. The pain could be dull, sharp, gnawing or stabbing in nature. A stabbing pain in stomach can leave one feeling very helpless. One may just want to hold on to a pillow and curl up in bed, praying for pain to disappear. Recurring bouts of stabbing abdominal pain must never be ignored. Though a mild stomach ache that may sometimes be felt due to indigestion is not really a cause of serious concern, excruciating stomach pains that appear from time to time might be indicative of a serious health problem.

What Causes a Sharp Pain in the Stomach?

A sharp pain in stomach could be caused due to several reasons. If any organ in the abdominal cavity gets affected, it could give rise to stomach pain. If you have been experiencing excruciating pain in your stomach every now and then, you must seek medical assistance. Diagnostic tests must be conducted to determine the underlying medical condition that may be responsible for causing stomach pain. Some of the common causes of sharp stomach pain are given below.

Food Poisoning
Did you eat contaminated food? Consuming food that has not been handled properly or has not stored/prepared in a hygienic manner could be responsible for causing food poisoning. If you drink contaminated water or consume food items that have been contaminated by bacteria, toxins or parasites, you are giving an open invitation to harmful pathogens to invade your stomach. So, be careful about what you eat. Food poisoning is characterized by severe cramp-like stomach pain. Other symptoms that may accompany stomach pain include diarrhea, vomiting and nausea.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome
While the exact causes of irritable bowel syndrome are not known, this functional disorder of the gut may be triggered by stress. It is believed that the nerves that transmit messages between the intestines and the brain may become hyperactive, thereby making the intestine sensitive. This could affect the intestinal motility and cause sudden muscle contractions. Therefore, symptoms could get worse when the individual is under a lot of stress. The symptoms could appear or worsen on eating certain food items. People suffering from irritable bowel syndrome are most likely to experience stomach pain, stomach cramps, bloating, constipation or diarrhea.

Peptic Ulcers
Recurring episodes of a sharp pain in the stomach could occur due to inflammation of the stomach lining. This lining performs the function of protecting the stomach from the acids. Due to inflammation and erosion of the thick mucus layer or lining, hydrochloric acid and pepsin present in the stomach can cause sores or peptic ulcers. Ulcers could also be caused due to an infection in the stomach lining by a bacterium known as H. pylori. Prolonged use of certain anti-inflammatory medications, excessive intake of alcohol and smoking could also lead to erosion in stomach lining.

Appendicitis
Appendix is a 3.5 inch long tube extending from the large intestine. An inflamed appendix can also be responsible for causing a sharp abdominal pain. Pain or discomfort may arise due to a blockage in the appendix. In the initial stages, the pain is experienced around the belly button, but this may spread to the right lower abdomen. Pain could also be accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or fever. If left untreated, the inflamed appendix may burst and the contents may spill over into the abdominal cavity. This might lead to inflammation in the lining of the abdominal cavity.

Diverticulitis
Diverticulosis is a medical condition that is characterized by the formation of diverticula in the walls of large intestine. The term 'diverticula' refers to pouches that form when pressure is exerted on the intestinal walls by the waste material stored in the large intestine. Diverticulitis refers to the inflammation of the abnormal pouches present in the intestinal wall. A large tear in the diverticulum can cause the wastes to spill over into the abdominal cavity. This can cause an infection or inflammation of the abdomen wall. Those suffering from diverticulitis generally experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, chills and weight loss.

Gynecological Problems
Some women can experience stomach pain during menstruation. A jabbing pain in the stomach during pregnancy could be a symptom of an ectopic pregnancy. This is a complication of pregnancy wherein the fertilized egg gets implanted outside the uterus. It could be implanted in the abdomen, ovary or the cervix. This could lead to severe pain in the lower right or lower left abdomen. Inflammation in the fallopian tubes or formation of painful ovarian cysts could also cause a piercing stomach pain.

How to Treat a Sharp Stomach Pain

If you have been experiencing sharp pain in the stomach, do not ignore it. Do consult a doctor to get a proper diagnosis. Blood, urine and stool samples would be tested for identifying the underlying medical condition that may be causing stomach pain. If you have been suffering from chronic constipation, start paying attention to your eating habits. Eating a fiber-rich diet may help to a great extent. Kidney stones, Crohn's disease, pancreatitis, food allergies, acid reflux disease, gallstones and intestinal obstruction are some of the medical conditions that could cause abdominal pain. So, the treatment will vary depending on the condition that may be responsible for causing stomach pain. Doctors might prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs or antibiotics for treating inflammatory conditions and bacterial infections respectively. One could also prevent stomach problems by making dietary changes. Do follow the advice of your doctor and make certain changes in your lifestyle to prevent further complications.

If you have been suffering from recurring bouts of stomach pain, you must seek medical help soon. If the underlying condition is diagnosed in the early stages, stomach pain can be easily treated with the help of drug therapy and lifestyle modifications.