3. Abdominal Pain: Beyond the Common Ache
At some point or another, everyone has faced some form of abdominal discomfort. A twinge here, a cramp there. But with Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, this pain isn’t just fleeting; it’s constant, intense, and often confusing.
The excess stomach acid characteristic of ZES doesn’t limit its destruction to causing ulcers or diarrhea. It continuously irritates the stomach lining, leading to an inflamed digestive tract. This inflammation is the primary source of the abdominal pain in ZES.
The pain, often described as a burning sensation, is situated between the breastbone and the navel. What makes it unique is its timing. Unlike common abdominal pain which can strike anytime, ZES-associated pain often strikes when the stomach is empty, notably during the night or early mornings. (3)
