Causes of pain in the solar plexus: gastritis, pancreatitis or gallstones

We asked Larisa Tretyakova, gastroenterologist, doctor of the highest category, head of the department of the PharmMed Clinic , to tell us what most often hurts in the epigastric area, how to understand your own sensations and what diagnostic procedures are necessary in this case.

Almost every resident of a big city has experienced pain in the upper abdomen - right in the triangle under the ribs. Most often, epigastric pain indicates diseases of the digestive system.

Let's first figure out exactly what organs are located here. This is the stomach that passes into the duodenum. To the left of the stomach is the pancreas, which is responsible not only for digestion, but also for hormonal control - in particular, it produces insulin, which cells need to absorb nutrients. The spleen is also located here, which is responsible for purifying the blood and functioning of the immune system. To the right of the stomach the gallbladder and liver are densely packed. All of these organs (with rare exceptions) can be a source of pain localized in the epigastric region.

The Deepest Essence of Digestion

Every high school student knows that digestion occurs in the stomach. Aggressive hydrochloric acid attacks the food entering the stomach, and it begins to break down into easily digestible components.

But not every school graduate knows that a person without a stomach can live relatively normally. Because only the first stage of digestion takes place here. Much more important processes occur in the next “compartment” - the duodenum. The pancreatic ducts and the common bile duct exit here.

The gall bladder accumulates bile produced by the liver, and as soon as food enters the duodenum, the bile is sent there to help with digestion. An equally important role in digestion is played by the so-called “pancreatic juice” - the secretion of the pancreas, which also enters the duodenum through the ducts.

After food is “processed” in the duodenum, it is sent for further digestion and absorption in the small intestine.

Causes of pain

The solar plexus is a massive concentration of nerve processes, fibers and nodes that radiate in different directions.
It is located where the chest meets the upper abdomen. Pain in the solar plexus can cause disturbances in the functioning of this particular area:

1. Mechanical injury (impact, bruise). Strikes to where the solar plexus is located unsettle the opponent for a long time. Severe injury can lead to loss of consciousness, cardiac arrest, rupture of the diaphragm and other serious complications.
2. Solar plexus neuritis. This inflammatory disease is called solaritis; it can be provoked by mechanical and infectious factors.

Most often, painful sensations have nothing to do with the work of this nerve center. May cause discomfort:

• gastritis;
• peptic ulcer of the stomach or duodenum;
• tumors of benign and malignant types, localized near the solar plexus (in the stomach, intestines, pancreas);
• disturbances in the functioning of the pancreas;
• duodenitis;
• severe helminthiasis;
• intercostal neuralgia;
• cholelithiasis.

A doctor can find out the exact cause of discomfort.

Gastritis, ordinary and not very

The most common disease that causes pain in the epigastric region is gastritis, that is, inflammation of the gastric mucosa. Depending on the nature of the disease, gastritis can be acute or chronic.

The danger of chronic gastritis is that most cases of stomach cancer develop against the background of a long course of this seemingly harmless disease.

The type of gastritis is divided into superficial gastritis, in which only the mucous membrane becomes inflamed, and atrophic - in this case, against the background of inflammation, the stomach glands that produce hydrochloric acid gradually die.

Unfortunately, it is possible to identify the type of gastritis and, accordingly, decide on treatment only after an examination, colloquially called “gastroscopy” - during this procedure, an endoscope is inserted into the upper parts of the gastrointestinal tract.

In fact, the study is called “esophagogastroduodenoscopy”, because during the procedure the doctor examines the patient’s esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. It is very important to carry out this study in as much detail and quality as possible, since gastritis very often “adjacent” to duodenitis (inflammation of the duodenum) and pathology of the esophagus.

Types of pain, what it indicates

Discomfort in the solar plexus area can be of different types:

1. Constant dull pain not associated with eating, which intensifies when lying down or standing, may indicate the development of solaritis. With neuritis, solar crises can also develop, when the pain becomes sharp, burning and boring and forces the patient to be in a forced position.
2. A nagging soreness that occurs immediately after eating or on an empty stomach may indicate the appearance of gastritis. Also, similar manifestations are typical for duodenitis.
3. A nagging and aching pain of unknown origin that bothers a person for a long time can be a symptom of tumors.
4. A burning sensation in the solar plexus at night and during hunger may indicate the formation of an ulcer.
5. Drawing, pressing pain, which is accompanied by nausea, periodic rashes on the skin and cough, may indicate helminthiasis.
6. Diffuse acute pain, which is accompanied by nausea and vomiting, may indicate cholelithiasis, when a stone blocks the bile ducts.
7. Acute, sharp pain in the solar plexus area, which interferes with movement, talking and even breathing, occurs if solar plexus neuralgia (intercostal neuralgia) has developed.

Pancreatitis is a threat to life

Acute pain in the epigastrium can be a symptom of pancreatitis - inflammation of the pancreas. This organ can sluggishly signal a problem with regular, mild pain. And this means it’s time for an examination.

But if the pain in the epigastrium has become almost unbearable, plus stool disturbances and vomiting develop, in some cases an increase in temperature, then this means acute pancreatitis. And this is an indication for urgent hospitalization.

Pancreatitis usually occurs when pancreatic secretions (pancreatic juice) stagnate. The duct that should carry secretions into the duodenum is blocked by a stone, cyst, swelling or pus. But the juice continues to be produced and enthusiastically digests the gland itself. Therefore, in acute pancreatitis, delay is literally death.

Oddly enough, pancreatitis often attacks young people who lead an active lifestyle, love to eat, sometimes drink, and, most importantly, are subject to constant stress.

Problems with the pancreas can be diagnosed in advance - before the development of acute pancreatitis - using a simple ultrasound and blood test. If an ultrasound shows any problems with the pancreas, the doctor may prescribe a computed tomography scan - a study that gives a layer-by-layer image of the gland and allows you to examine in detail the essence of the problem.

Diagnosis and treatment

To make a correct diagnosis will help:

• examination and history taking;
• Ultrasound;
• general and biochemical blood test;
• CT or MRI;
• myelography;
• radiography of the spinal column;
• gastroduodenoscopy, etc.

After making the correct diagnosis, doctors can choose the right treatment. The treatment regimen may include:

• painkillers when treating inflammation of the solar plexus and neuralgia;
• antispasmodics for pain relief and muscle spasm;
• medications that affect the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach;
• enveloping drugs that protect the mucous membranes of the stomach and duodenum;
• chemotherapy or radiation to treat cancer;
• conducting gymnastics, massages and physiotherapeutic procedures;
• vitamin and mineral complexes;
• diet;
• enzyme preparations to support the pancreas;
• anthelmintic drugs for confirmed helminthiasis.

Sometimes health problems discovered in a patient require surgical intervention.
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Pain in the solar plexus area

Solar plexus: general information

The solar plexus is a large concentration of nerve fibers, processes and nodes in the area where the chest meets the upper abdomen.
The number of nerve processes in the solar plexus is so large that scientists call it the abdominal brain. If the solar plexus hurts, then this indicates a problem in the nerve processes themselves, injuries or diseases of the internal organs.

Localization of pain

Most often, people experience pain above or below the solar plexus. If it hurts under the solar plexus, then the problem may be associated with a malfunction of the genitourinary tract or intestines.

Pain above the solar plexus may indicate problems in the digestive system, lungs, heart, diaphragm, or intercostal neuralgia.

Nature of pain in the solar plexus area

Pain in the solar plexus area can be of different types.

• Constant dull pain that is not associated with eating. This pain may intensify when you inhale.
• Nagging pain that occurs immediately after eating or on an empty stomach. As a rule, such pain indicates gastritis and other disorders of the digestive tract.
• Aching pain of unknown origin. Sometimes such pain indicates the presence of tumors [2].
• Pressing pain, accompanied by nausea (sometimes vomiting), often indicates infection with helminths.
• Burning pain, especially at night, indicates an early stage of gastric ulcer.
• The diffuse nature of the pain with nausea indicates diseases of the liver and gall bladder.
• Acute cutting pain, during which it is difficult to breathe, often appears with intercostal neuralgia.

Causes of pain in the solar plexus area

The causes of pain in the solar plexus can be divided into two large groups. The first group is pain caused by damage to nerve endings. The second is pain that occurs against the background of diseases of the internal organs. Let's take a closer look at these reasons.

Pain caused by damage to nerve endings

Damage to the nerve endings of the solar plexus can be caused by several reasons.

Excessive physical activity . As a rule, these are sharp, sharp pains. Usually such pain is short-term. Once you give your body a break from sports, the pain will go away.

Injuries . There are several types of solar plexus injuries - direct blows, being hit by an object (for example, a ball) or tightening the abdominal area (for example, with a belt). Often after injuries, the victim experiences a feeling of compression in the solar plexus. In this case, the pain in the solar plexus area increases with pressure. With direct blows, the pain is usually sharp and severe.

Neuritis . This is an inflammation of nerve endings, which is also characterized by pain in the solar plexus area. In most cases, pain due to neuritis is acute [3]. Neuritis occurs both during excessive physical exertion, infections, and during surgical interventions. Painful sensations during neuritis are characterized by paroxysmal progression. During an attack, the patient lies on his side and presses his legs to his stomach. This position allows you to reduce the intensity of pain.

Intercostal neuralgia . Painful sensations with neuralgia are similar to neuritis, but in this case there is no pronounced paroxysmal course. At the same time, the nature of the pain remains acute [4].

Pain caused by diseases of internal organs

Let's consider the most common diseases of internal organs, which cause pain in the solar plexus.

Stomach diseases . Among the pathologies of the stomach, the most common causes of pain in the solar plexus area are gastritis and peptic ulcers. In rare cases, the cause lies in tumor pathologies of the stomach and esophagus.

Diseases of the duodenum . As a rule, with pathologies of the duodenum, pain in the solar plexus area is mild. This is usually a dull pain that may get worse at night.

Diseases of the pancreas . Acute and chronic pancreatitis is another cause of pain in the solar plexus area. A painful attack during pancreatitis is sharp, sudden and highly intense.

Intestinal diseases . Pain in the solar plexus can occur with intestinal infections, peritonitis, adhesions, ulcerative lesions of the intestines, helminthiasis, food poisoning, as well as with tumor lesions.

Diseases of the liver and gall bladder . Sharp or dull pain in the solar plexus often occurs against the background of liver and gallbladder diseases. These are hepatitis (viral and non-viral origin), biliary dyskinesia, cholelithiasis and other pathologies of the hepatobiliary system.

In case of pain in the solar plexus area, a consultation with a general practitioner is necessary, who, if necessary, will refer the patient to a specialist (neurologist, gastroenterologist, surgeon). If this problem bothers you frequently, then taking painkillers alone will not do the trick. It is necessary to identify the cause of pain as early as possible and begin appropriate treatment.

Symptoms

Since heaviness in the chest area can be caused by various pathologies, including malfunctions of the gastrointestinal tract, heart, and lungs, it is necessary to identify the causes before prescribing therapy. The nature of the complaints, the location of the discomfort and its intensity, as well as accompanying symptoms will help determine which disease provoked thoracolgia.

A dull pain in the chest may be accompanied by:

• Increased temperature, feverish condition.
• A cough that occurs for unknown reasons.
• Shortness of breath.
• Sweating.
• Confusion.
• Migraine.
• Weakness and fatigue.

However, a specific pathology is indicated by such signs as:

• Unbearable pain, concentrated in the middle of the sternum above the solar plexus or on the left. It radiates into the arm, subscapularis of the back or neck, which indicates a heart attack or ischemia of the heart. Therefore, you cannot postpone visiting a cardiologist.
• Angina pectoris is indicated by discomfort on the right side, which occurs as a result of physical activity, and disappears when the patient is at rest.
• Pain concentrated on the left side and radiating to the back is a sign of aortic dissection.

However, when a patient complains of thoracolgia, which is accompanied by chest discomfort that occurs during a cough or deep breath, then most likely the cause lies in diseases of the upper respiratory tract. In this situation, accompanying symptoms will be high fever, weakness, and sweating. Characteristic signs are coughing and difficulty breathing.

If thoracolgia is caused by osteochondrosis, then patients report complaints of pain in the hypochondrium. The patients' skin becomes pale, its sensitivity is impaired, and muscle tone decreases. In addition, a characteristic symptom is pain that occurs during physical activity.

Such symptoms cannot be ignored, since their appearance indicates a serious illness, and the lack of timely treatment can lead to the development of a heart attack and even death.

It is especially dangerous to ignore the pressing pain radiating to the back, left forearm and neck, when

who experience shortness of breath, unconscious fear and anxiety appear, and blood pressure drops. These symptoms are characteristic of a heart attack. Therefore, when they appear, it is necessary to immediately call an ambulance and ensure complete rest for the patient until the doctors arrive. It is better to sit the patient on a chair or lay him on the bed, raising his head. There should be enough fresh air in the room where the patient is, so the windows should be opened. The patient should be given nitroglycerin, which he should place under the tongue and slowly dissolve. Today this drug is available both in tablets and in spray form. If you have a spray can on hand, then you need to make one injection into the sublingual area. This procedure can be repeated after 5-7 minutes if there is no relief after the first time.

An equally life-threatening condition is pulmonary artery blockage. Patients complain of increasing pain during inspiration, which goes away after taking the analgesic. A characteristic sign of thromboembolism is the absence of irradiation to other parts.

How can you strengthen your solar plexus?

Some people strive to find ways to "relax" the solar plexus, which is impossible: this organ is not a muscle, and specific exercises can only help strengthen this neural network. In this case, several methods are implemented that affect digestion through the autonomic nervous system. Patients perceive this process as relaxing because it relieves the feeling of heaviness in the stomach.

Strengthening the solar plexus involves stimulating the nervous system through meditation and yoga, including balanced breathing. Discomfort in the abdominal cavity goes away because breathing proceeds smoothly and evenly. When doing exercises, you should ensure that the exhalation phase is twice as long as the inhalation phase.

Procedure in case of pain

If discomfort occurs in the chest, you should adhere to the following algorithm of actions:

• A low intensity of pain gives the right to take the usual painkillers and antispasmodics. But do not neglect the obligation to visit a doctor (general practitioner, gastroenterologist) to find out the causes of the condition and prescribe adequate treatment. When relieving symptoms, the use of folk remedies is allowed, but experts give persistent advice not to neglect civilized methods of treatment.
• Acute, severe and sharp pain is a direct indication for urgently calling an emergency team - and until doctors arrive, it is forbidden to take independent action for treatment. And a safe remedy can act on the symptoms of the disease - but the doctor will make an incorrect diagnosis, having taken a wrong look at them. But he holds human life in his hands.

If you have problems with your health, if the pain in the solar plexus does not go away, you should consult a specialist - and strictly follow the advice of doctors: diseases that cause unpleasant symptoms are sometimes dangerous and unpredictable.

Diagnostics

As you can see, the symptoms for different diseases are quite similar. Therefore, to find out what causes thoracolgia, it is not enough to familiarize yourself with the patients’ complaints. It is necessary to carry out a thorough examination, which includes several diagnostic procedures:

• Electrocardiography and, if necessary, ECG are performed with stress.
• Chest X-ray.
• Gastroscopy allows you to examine the upper gastrointestinal tract.
• Angiography is performed to assess the condition of the coronary vessels.

In addition, patients undergo blood tests for markers of heart attack. In some cases, ultrasound of the abdominal organs, CT and MRI are performed.

Causes of pain symptoms

into the solar plexus , like a large lump of nerve endings - and pain symptoms in the plexus are automatically called the reason for contacting a specialist.

Experts call the causes of pain signals sent by the body:

Pain caused by damage to the endings that make up the plexus

Pain in the location of the solar plexus is caused by:

• Physical overload

  Sharp pain in the solar plexus, resulting from excessively intense exercise, is characterized by a burning and unbearable course. Fortunately, this pain does not mean certain pathologies - and rest is an acceptable solution to get rid of unpleasant sensations. But in a situation where the loads are continuous and the pain does not disappear, the existing problem will accelerate the appearance of acute neuritis.

• Plexus injuries

  Pressing pain in the solar plexus with an acute nature is a distinctive feature of injuries received in this area of ​​the body. Science divides the traumatic effects that cause these types of pain into:

• Strikes to the solar plexus. Traumatic situations are typical for certain sports that have traumatic effects (boxing, martial arts)

Getting a foreign object (ball) into the solar plexus. Any problems with getting into the body are possible with a variety of sports.

• Pulling the abdominal area with objects (belt)

The pain that occurs from injuries is acute and severe - and usually occurs between the navel and the sternum (lower part).

Problems related to internal organs

Pain in the solar plexus (burning or its sharp and sharp types) is sometimes caused both by irritation of the solar plexus and directly by certain digestive diseases. Diseases that cause pain in the plexus are:

• Stomach problems

  Such problems include:

  Gastritis

  Aching pain in the solar plexus is a characteristic sign of pain with gastritis, and it can be quite mild.

• Peptic ulcer

  Such problems are characterized rather by dull pain in the solar plexus , and they are dependent not only on food intake, but also on the location of the ulcer itself.

• Tumors

  The pain caused by tumors is nagging and has a pressing character. They vary in frequency, but can bother the patient all the time.