Information on Chronic Nausea & Stomach Pain
Chronic nausea and stomach pain can have a number of causes, some of which can be become very serious conditions if left untreated. Seek the advice of your doctor if you have persistent pain and nausea. Some conditions require medications or surgery.
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Gastroenteritis
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Gastroenteritis is an irritation and inflammation of your stomach and bowels that causes pain and nausea along with other symptoms, such as diarrhea and vomiting. It may be caused by viral or bacterial infections, parasites or an illness caused by food poisoning. Gastroenteritis typically resolves itself after a few days. It is important to drink sufficient fluids to avoid dehydration.
Chronic Gastritis
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Chronic gastritis is inflammation of your stomach lining. It is most commonly caused by the bacteria that also causes the majority of stomach ulcers. It may also be caused by frequent use of pain relievers, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, excessive alcohol consumption or a traumatic injury. If you are are vomiting blood or if there is blood in your stool, you should seek immediate medical attention.
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Gallstones
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Gallstones are caused by bile that has become hardened in your gallbladder. They result in gallbladder attacks where you experience pain and sometimes nausea and vomiting. These attacks may last anywhere between 30 minutes and a few hours. If pain and nausea continues for more than five hours and is accompanied by fever, chills or stools that are clay colored, you should seek immediate medical care. Persistent gallbladder attacks will most likely lead to surgery to remove your gallbladder.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
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Inflammatory bowel disease is an inflammation of your intestinal tract that causes pain, nausea and diarrhea. The two types of IBD are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. IBD is treated with medications such as sulfasalazine to reduce inflammation, corticosteroids like prednisone and drugs that suppress your immune system, such as mercaptopurine and azathiopine.
Ulcers
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Ulcers can develop anywhere in the lining of your digestive tract. Ulcers can be caused by a bacteria called Helicobactor pylori, too much acid and chronic use of anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and aspirin. Helicobactor pylori is treated with antibiotics. Other ulcer treatment includes medications to reduce the amount of acid you have in your stomach and dietary changes to avoid foods and beverages that can irritate the ulcers, such as caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods.
Considerations
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If you are experiencing severe stomach pain and nausea, vomiting blood or if your vomit looks like coffee grounds, tarry black stools or bloody diarrhea, you should seek immediate medical attention. These are signs of bleeding from the digestive tract which can become life-threatening.
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