Stomach pains are one of the hardest symptoms to diagnose. They may point to a very minor illness or to a very harmful disease. The length of a stomach pain, the severity of the stomach pain and the side effects that accompany the stomach pain are all factors that will help determine if the stomach pain is more than a harmless stomachache. A stomach pain that is minor and lasts a short time is nothing to worry about. If a stomach pain lasts a long time and it feels worse than the usual stomachache, it could be something more serious. If the symptoms include constipation, vomiting and diarrhea or abdominal pains, the problem might be serious.
Food Poisoning
Food poisoning can lead to stomach pains, and worse, vomiting and abdominal pains. Not every case of food poisoning will last the same amount of time. In some cases the food poisoning will come and go quickly, but other times it takes a long time to process and you may have stomach pains for several days. Most cases of food poisoning are not dangerous and pass in a day or two.
Amebiasis
Amebiasis is an amoeba that can do harm when it enters your body. The most common way to get amebiasis is to drink contaminated water. Sometimes an amebiasis will live in a body without doing any harm. Other times the amebiasis will do damage to your intestine. This will lead to stomach pains, abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea, a high fever and loss of appetite. A person who gets amebiasis likely lives in a poor neighborhood that doesn't have adequate sanitation.
Caroli disease
Another cause of stomach pains is Caroli disease. The Caroli disease causes the bile ducts in the liver to expand. There is only a certain amount of room for the bile ducts so when they expand it causes pain. Liver or kidney failure may also occur. The Caroli disease often results in death, however, that is because most instances of Caroli disease occur in Africa where they do not have the means to treat it. With the proper equipment, Caroli disease can be treated, especially if the infection is confined to one area.
Cryptosporidiosis
Cryptosporidiosis is another illness that is largely waterborne. Cryptosoporidiosis, also known as crypto, is a microscopic parasite that causes stomach pains and diarrhea. Crypto is the most common waterborne disease in the world and is often contracted from swimming in public places where swimmers have brought dirt into the pool and/or urinated there. Try never to swallow pool water, and in general, don't let it into your mouth.
Porphyria
Porphyria is an illness that affects the nervous system. Sometimes it passes through a gene. Other times it passes via infection. Alcohol, smoking, medication and stress make people more susceptible. Acute forms of porphyria cause stomach pains, vomitng, constipation or in serious cases paralysis. Cutaneous forms of porphyria affect only the skin.
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