Stomach pain - causes and treatment

Types of stomach pain

Localized pain is limited to one area of the abdomen. The most common cause of localized pain is gastric ulcer.

It can also be acute or chronic pain. Stomach pain in the form of cramping is often associated with diarrhea, constipation, bloating or flatulence - stomach pain and bloating usually occur together. Generally, cramps are caused by gas trapped in the digestive system. If you have associated diarrhea and the cramps come on suddenly, it may be gastroenteritis.

Recurrent cramping with diarrhea and/or constipation may be a long-term condition such as irritable bowel syndrome.

Causes of stomach pain

Many conditions can cause stomach pain, but the main causes are: infection, inflammation, obstruction (blockage), bowel disorder. The most common causes of stomach pain include:

• Digestive problems, including indigestion, gas and flatulence, constipation, diarrhea, food allergies, food poisoning - in most cases, the discomfort will go away in a few hours to a few days;
• inflammation caused by an irritation or infection - gastroenteritis, peptic ulcer;
• stress;
• conditions that can cause chronic stomach pain - gastric reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, food sensitivities and intolerances such as lactose intolerance;
• more serious conditions that can cause acute pain - bowel perforations, ruptures, bleeding or other problems where the pain radiates, such as appendicitis, gallstones, kidney stones, kidney infection, etc.

Keep in mind that sometimes other problems are underlying, but the pain radiates and feels like it is from the stomach - urinary tract infections, menstrual cramps or ovulation related.

Stomach pain - when is it a medical emergency?

Mild abdominal pain may go away on its own without treatment - such as abdominal pain from gas or bloating. But in some cases, abdominal pain may require a visit to the doctor. Seek emergency medical help if abdominal pain is severe and associated with trauma, if you feel pressure or pain in your chest. Also seek immediate medical attention if the pain is so severe that you cannot sit still or have to squat to reduce discomfort, or if you experience:

• blood in your stool or rectal bleeding;
• bloody vomit;
• high fever;
• persistent nausea or vomiting;
• yellowing of the skin or eyes;
• severe swelling or tenderness of the abdomen;
• difficult breathing.

In addition, make a doctor's appointment if you have any of the following symptoms:

• abdominal pain lasting more than 24 hours;
• prolonged constipation;
• vomiting;
• fever;
• loss of appetite;
• unexplained weight loss.

The cause for stomach pain can be diagnosed through a series of blood, urine and stool tests, as well as a review of symptoms and medical history. A physical examination will also be done to check for tenderness and swelling. Depending on the case different investigations may be necessary - ultrasound, colonoscopy, endoscopy etc.

Stomach pain treatment

How stomach pain is treated depends largely on the diagnosis. Sometimes medications are needed for stomach pain, sometimes home remedies can be used, but in some cases procedures and even interventions are necessary, depending on the severity.

Remedies for stomach pain

There are several folk remedies for stomach pain. Some may also help relieve stomach upset from other sources, such as irritable bowel syndrome.

Here are 5 natural remedies for stomach aches:

• Ginger - Ginger can help reduce nausea and vomiting and can be consumed as is in tea or hot water, as well as in supplement form;
• Chamomile tea - a cup of chamomile tea can help relieve stomach pain by acting as an anti-inflammatory, it relaxes the stomach muscles, which can reduce pain, cramps and spasms;
• The BRAT diet - bananas, rice, applesauce, toast - usually recommended in cases of diarrhea, to decrease the number of stools passed and relieve the problem, as they are bland foods without substances that irritate the stomach and intestines;
• Peppermint - the menthol in the leaves acts as a natural analgesic, can relieve cramps and discomfort;
• Aloe vera juice - aloe vera can help reduce the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and colitis.

Tea for stomach pain

There are many different types of digestive teas, which relieve spasms, support the digestive lining, reduce discomfort, bloating or other problems. They may contain chamomile, marigold, sorrel's tail, rosemary, rosemary, sunflower, licorice, coriander, cumin, ginger, cardamom, mint, fennel, etc., in different combinations, such as Alevia Gastric Tea, Fares Digestive Tea, Dacia Plant Perfect Digestion Tea or Yogi Tea Stomach Ease Tea.

Supplement tips for stomach upset

• Drink enough water to prevent dehydration.
• Avoid lying down immediately after meals, but also avoid strenuous physical activity after meals.
• Avoid smoking and alcohol, as these can trigger other symptoms or intensify the problem.
• Avoid foods that are difficult to digest, fatty, spicy, very acidic foods, foods to which you have allergies, sensitivities or intolerances.
• Eat several smaller meals instead of three large ones. Chew well and slowly.
• Manage stress effectively through breathing exercises, meditation or yoga.
• Adopt an active lifestyle.

Medication for stomach pain

Medications for stomach pain vary depending on other associated symptoms. Basically, medicines for digestive disorders are chosen according to the associated symptoms. For example, for pain caused by heartburn and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, antacids or acid reducers may be prescribed. For constipation that causes discomfort and pain, mild laxatives or constipation medicines will be useful.

For pain caused by gas, simethicone and other medicines for meteorism may be recommended. These also relieve pain and spasms caused by gas build-up in the bowel. Meteospasmyl is one such medicine containing simethicone and alverine citrate, indicated for gastrointestinal symptoms and relief of spasms caused by trapped gas.

For diarrhea, antidiarrheal drugs will be prescribed, and for cramps caused by diarrhea, drugs containing loperamide or bismuth subsalicylate may be useful. Other medications may be recommended, such as probiotics and prebiotics, digestive enzymes, antiemetic drugs for nausea.

Antispasmodic medicines for stomach pain

To relieve digestive spasms, antispasmodic medicines are recommended as stomach pain pills, which relieve gastrointestinal symptoms and spasms caused by various problems - colic, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome, etc. Such stomach pain pills relieve spasms of the muscles not only at the gastrointestinal, but also at the biliary or urinary level. No-Spa Forte, for example, soothes spasms and stomach pain, has a prolonged effect and is well tolerated by the body, containing drotaverine hydrochloride as its active ingredient. The same active substance is also found in Antispaspasmin Forte and Spaverin, both of which are also indicated in cases of colic of various types, pain and gastrointestinal spasms of various causes. Buscopan is another butylscopolamine bromide-based antispasmodic for stomach pain, indicated for colic-type pain.

For other types of pain, acetaminophen may be helpful. It is recommended, however, to avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen as much as possible, as they can irritate the stomach. Some chronic gastrointestinal conditions can cause long-term abdominal pain or worsening pain. If over-the-counter medicines don't help, your doctor may recommend a prescription medication. These products help by treating the root cause of abdominal pain.