Why do I get pins and needles in my stomach? 12 Possible Causes

A review of the possible causes of that annoying or painful sensation of the pins and needles in the belly.

The prickling in the belly is a painful sensation in the abdominal region often caused by an abusive food intake or bad health habits, such as not exercising enough or having a high intake of fats and carbohydrates.

These types of habits can lead to problems in the digestive tract, giving as main symptoms constipation and diarrhea, which are closely related to abdominal pain. They can also be due to several serious medical conditions.

Below we will try to answer the question that many people ask themselves regarding their digestion: why do I get pins and needles in my tummy? Let's look at the possible causes and what to do in each case.

Why do I get pins and needles in the belly? 12 explanations and causes

It usually happens that we notice the stomach that bothers us, giving us the sensation of that something from inside is pricking us. This discomfort can be of varying severity and, as a general rule, is related to having eaten too much, especially foods rich in fats, carbohydrates, lactose or any substance that is difficult for our body to digest.

In principle, a healthy diet containing a healthy amount of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and vitamins, as is the case of the Mediterranean diet, should not give us any intestinal problems. However, each person's body is different and, sometimes, even if you eat healthy food, you may feel a prickly feeling in your stomach.

In these cases it will be necessary to to see a doctor, especially a gastroenterologist.The patient will be able to study whether this is due to organic, digestive, intestinal dysfunctions or inflammation.

Below we will see the main causes behind flatulence in the stomach, what types of treatments exist for each of them and some recommendations.

1. Intestinal gas

Gas is produced in the stomach and intestine, due to the fermentation of foods rich in carbohydrates and lactose. Among the main foods that produce flatulence are legumes such as chickpeas and lentils, vegetables such as cabbage and cauliflower, and beverages that are rich in carbohydrates and lactose. and cauliflower and carbonated beverages.

In certain cases intestinal gas is associated with health problems such as lactose intolerance, hypochlorhydria, irritable bowel syndrome and intestinal parasites.

If gas is produced in excess and cannot be released, it can cause symptoms such as a flat belly, burning in the throat, chest pains and constant belching. Although they do not usually involve serious damage to health, it is true that abdominal pangs can cause anxiety.

The treatment for gas is usually to eat calmly, making sure to chew your food well to make it easier for the digestive tract, as well as drinking plenty of water.

2. Constipation

Constipation occurs when stools are passed too infrequently or harden, making it take a lot of effort to defecate. The stool accumulates along with intestinal gas, causing discomfort and discomfort.causing discomfort in the lower abdomen.

Among the factors behind constipation are not drinking enough water, consuming too little fiber and not doing enough physical activity.

Treatment for constipation usually involves changing eating habits by incorporating more fiber-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables, drinking more fluids and leading a healthier lifestyle.

One should try to maintain regular bowel movement schedules, since holding in the urge to defecate can cause constipation.The constipation is a problem that can worsen the consistency of the excrement, in addition to provoking a progressive loss of the reflex to evacuate.

If constipation occurs very frequently and bowel habits are not regular, professional help should be sought to find out what medical condition may be behind it. In the treatment, laxative medications may be indicated to facilitate the expulsion of stool.

3. Urinary tract infection

A urinary tract infection occurs when the urinary tract becomes contaminated by pathogens, mainly bacteria such as Escherichia colia y Staphylococcus saprophyticus as well as fungi of the genus Candida sp.

Women are more susceptible to this infection because the urethra is shorter, making it easier for microorganisms to reach the area and generate the pathology.

The most frequent symptoms of urinary tract infection are prickling in the abdomen especially when urinating, burning and, if the infection has affected the kidneys, pain in the lower back.

Diagnosis should be made by a urologist, gynecologist or general practitioner by studying the patient's blood and urine. Treatment for this medical condition focuses on relieving pain and eliminating pathogens in the urinary tract using antibiotics..

4. Food poisoning

Food poisoning occurs when spoiled food or liquids containing some type of pathogen are consumed. This pathogen, which can be a living being such as a bacterium or virus, or a substance such as a toxicant, attacks the organism directly, causing damage to it.directly attacks the organism causing damage to it.

In general, the most common symptoms that occur in food poisoning, in addition to the punctures in the stomach, are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, body pain, gas and fever.

5. Menstrual cramps

Menstrual cramps are caused by spasms of the uterus during menstruation, causing pain in the abdomen.. During ovulation, eggs are released to be fertilized by sperm and it is during this process that you may feel some prickling in the lower abdomen.

If these menstrual cramps last more than 72 hours and are very intense, you should go to the gynecologist to see if it is a serious disease, such as endometriosis.

6. Ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy is a rare type of gestation, which occurs when the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tubes.

As the pregnancy progresses there may be several symptoms in addition to pain in the lower abdomen, such as abnormal vaginal bleeding and mild cramping on one side of the pelvis. The pain may begin suddenly and the pricks in the belly are usually sharp and persistent twinges..

If the area around the pregnancy is ruptured and bleeding, the symptoms may worsen. This is why it is very important to see a doctor since, if not treated in time, this pregnancy can seriously damage a woman's health and even cause her death.

7. Irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome is a medical condition that affects the large intestine.. It is not known exactly what causes this syndrome, although it is related to the development of hypersensitivity in the intestine to the ingestion of different foods.

Among the symptoms that occur in this disease we have abdominal cramps, bloating, gas, changes in bowel habits and elimination of intestinal mucus from the rectum. Constipation and/or diarrhea may also occur, with some people suffering from both symptoms intermittently.

Irritable bowel syndrome is treated by changing the diet by introducing a diet properly designed by a nutritionist.. In addition, probiotic medications are prescribed to maintain the intestinal flora, antispasmodics to relieve pain, and medications such as antiflatulents to reduce bloating and gas.

In order for the patient to be able to better manage his medical problem, it is advisable to receive psychological therapy, especially to be aware of the changes that this disease implies in his life.

8. Appendicitis

The vermiform appendix is a small, supposedly vestigial organ that projects from the colon to the lower right side of the abdomen. Should it become inflamed it will result in appendicitis, a disease in which abdominal pain occurs, starting from around the navel and then moving.

The inflammation is caused by obstruction of the appendix with fecal debris.. The pain is usually diffuse at first, but can go from mild to severe, accompanied by increased temperature, vomiting, nausea and abdominal swelling.

Since it is a serious disease, as soon as symptoms manifest, urgent hospitalization is required.. If this is not done, there is a risk that the appendix will rupture and the organs of the abdomen will be contaminated with infection microorganisms. Should this happen, suppurative appendicitis would occur.

There has been research on the actual usefulness of the appendix, with studies suggesting that it may have an immune or intestinal flora maintenance function. However, the scientific consensus is that it is a vestigial organ, which is why, in the event of appendicitis, the appendix is surgically removed.

9. Pancreatitis

The pancreas is a gland located behind the stomach, in the highest part of the abdomen.in the highest part of the abdomen. When this gland becomes inflamed, pancreatitis occurs, which gives a burning sensation and pain in the upper or middle part of the stomach.

In addition to the oppressive pain, multiple episodes of vomiting are the main symptom. Other symptoms of this disease are pain on touching the abdomen, pain that worsens after eating, tachycardia, fever and abdominal pain extending to the back.

10. Diverticulitis

Diverticula are small protrusions that form in the inner lining of the digestive system. and most often appear in the lower part of the large intestine, i.e., the colon. They usually do not cause problems, but can sometimes become inflamed or infected.

When these protrusions become inflamed we speak of diverticulitis, which is more likely to occur in people over 50 years of age. Symptoms that may appear include intense abdominal pain, fever, nausea and changes in bowel habits.

Treatment usually consists of rest, dietary changes and antibiotics. However, in the most severe cases, surgical intervention may be required.

11. Endometriosis

The endometrium is the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus.. When this tissue grows outside the uterus we speak of endometriosis, which is one of the most common gynecological diseases and its symptoms include pelvic pain and, in some cases, infertility. There is no cure but there is treatment, focused on relieving pain.

12. Cholelithiasis

Cholelithiasis is a medical condition in which stones or calculi form in the gallbladder.. This organ helps in the digestion of fats and, when it becomes obstructed, symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and stabbing pain in the abdomen occur. Gallstones occur when the bile becomes overloaded with fat from the liver.

Treatment of gallstones involves surgical intervention to remove them, combined with the use of Antibiotics to prevent infections from spreading throughout the body.

Recommendations

If you feel pins and needles in your belly, you should see a doctor, preferably a gastroenterologist who will make sure that the causes of these discomforts are not due to a serious disease, such as appendicitis, pancreatitis or endometriosis. Likewise, to avoid feeling these discomforts, the following recommendations should be followed.

• Chew food slowly to facilitate digestion.
• Avoid going to sleep when feeling stomach pain. It is better to rest sitting down for a while.
• Avoid fatty or spicy foods.
• Exercise at least three times a week.
• Avoid tobacco and alcohol.
• Eat five meals a day.
• Drink at least two liters of water.

Bibliographic references:

• Fishman MB, Aronson MD (2012). Differential diagnosis of abdominal pain in adults. In: UpToDate, Basow DS (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA.
• Fishman MB, Aronson MD (2012). History and physical examination in adults with abdominal pain. In: UpToDate, Basow DS (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA.
• Manterola C, Vial M, Moraga J, Astudillo P (2011). Analgesia in patients with acute abdominal pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD005660. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005660.pub3