What Questions Should I Ask My Healthcare Provider About Muscle Spasms
- Do you recommend that I see a physical therapist, sleep specialist, massage therapist or other specialist?
- Do you think that my muscle spasms are a symptom of a disease?
- Can you show me the best exercises I can do to stretch my muscles?
- How can I help my child when they have a muscle spasm?
- Can you show me the best massage techniques I can use to help with my muscle spasms?
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How Is The Cause Of Abdominal Pain Diagnosed
Abdominal pain is one of the most common symptoms seen by GPs .
They may suggest you have some blood tests or other diagnostic procedures done, especially if you have had the symptoms for some time.
Tests and procedures that may help in diagnosing the cause of abdominal pain include:
Other procedures that may be suggested, depending on your gender, include:
- pregnancy test and/or pelvic ultrasound
- ultrasound of the scrotum
What To Do When You Get Stomach Cramps
If you ever experience stomach cramps or stomach pain, its important to treat it as soon as possible. There are a few things you can do to try to treat stomach cramps, including taking certain over-the-counter medications, such as Tums or Pepto-Bismol. However, some stomach cramps are the result of underlying medical conditions, such as gastritis or gastroenteritis. In these cases, a doctor may prescribe an over-the-counter medication that is specifically designed to treat the symptoms.
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How To Stop Period Cramps
Dealing with cramps every month can be as frustrating as it is painful. Luckily, there are a many remedies that might help you relieve period cramps. Its important to remember that these techniques wont always work, especially for chronic conditions, but they can offer relief for mild to moderate period pain.
Stomach Pain Around The Belly Button
Stomach pain around or near a child’s belly button is usually nothing to worry about. It’s one of the most common stomach pain complaints among kids.
“Children often rub their bellies when they hurt and complain about general pain around the belly button,” says Dr. Mehta. “This type of stomach pain is typically caused by stress or eating something that didn’t quite agree with them.”
If your child is complaining about stomach pain near the belly button, you can:
- Encourage them to lay down and rest
- Check to see if they need to poop
- Offer a glass of water
- Try distracting them by reading a book together or playing a quiet game
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When Should I Take My Child To The Doctor For Stomach Pain
Stomach pain in children is usually nothing to worry about. But, if your child experiences any of the following symptoms, schedule an appointment with your child’s pediatrician to determine the cause of your child’s pain:
- Constipation that is becoming frequent
- Recurrent stomach pain with no clear cause
- Unexplained weight loss
- Looks or acts sick
- Pain that is waking your child up from sleep or is starting to affect their daily lives
Are There Foods That Reduce Stomach Pain
Anxiety-related stomach pain is not usually the result of your diet , so there arent necessarily any dietary changes that can help reduce stomach pain.
That said, those with panic attacks are more prone to experiencing more severe stomach discomfort, even when no anxiety is present. In other words, when you have panic attacks, its possible to have stomach pain even without a panic attack.
Also, those with anxiety attacks and severe anxiety are prone to whats known as over-sensitization. That means that they are more likely to notice and feel smaller, normal changes in the body, and these can trigger an anxiety attack. So if your diet does contain foods that cause you gas, stomach discomfort, or mild indigestion, it may be best to avoid them because the slight amount of discomfort could feel worse than it should and may trigger a panic attack.
Thats why healthy eating is important in those that get stomach pain with anxiety. Make sure youre getting:
- Water/Hydration
- Whole-Grain Carbohydrates
Also, if you suffer from stress-induced hyperacidity, then it is recommended that you consume dairy products and non-spicy foods. In moderate amounts, over-the-counter antacids may be needed as well.
In addition, if possible, try to avoid eating until youre too full. Those with severe anxiety sometimes interpret the full feeling as pain, and this could trigger a panic attack and further pain.
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What Can I Give My Child For Stomach Pain
Stomach pain usually resolves itself after your child:
- Recovers from a stomach virus
There’s no specific treatment for an upset stomach, but you can help relieve your child’s symptoms. Trusted home remedies for stomach pain in kids include:
- Offering plenty of clear liquids to keep your child hydrated
- Offering ibuprofen or acetaminophen to relieve pain
- Using a heating pad to ease cramps and pain
- Offering a bland diet, like crackers and soups
- Giving your child stool softeners, like MiraLAX® to ease constipation
- Mixing a probiotic in your child’s water, which may help stop diarrhea
Switch Up Your Sleeping Position
Anecdotal reports say that the fetal position is the best sleeping position for menstrual cramps. This could be because the position doesnt place weight on your abdomen or lower back which is where period pain is typically felt.
There isnt any research into how your sleeping position can affect period pain, but that doesnt mean it isnt worth giving a try.
Although period cramps are very common, severe pain isnt normal. Youll want to make an appointment to see a doctor if you:
- have period cramps so painful that you cant go about your daily activities
- started having severe menstrual cramps at or after age 25
Extreme pain before or during your period can be a sign of a more serious health condition that needs treatment, such as:
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How To Stop Stomach Cramps & Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis refers to stomach inflammation brought on by a virus, bacterial invasion or an allergy 1. With this inflammation comes the risk of mild to severe stomach cramps that leave you doubled over and reaching for relief. Accompanied by nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, treating this condition properly may stop these symptoms from getting worse. Always consult your physician if cramping worsens despite treatment, or if it interferes with your daily activities.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Avoid consuming solid food or liquids for up to two hours to allow your stomach to settle and cramping to subside. MayoClinic.com notes that you may resume fluid intake of clear liquids only, such as water or sports drinks, after two hours. Avoid caffeinated drinks and acidic fruit juices.
Eat only soft foods such as gelatin, incorporating crackers and dry toast as your discomfort subsides, suggests KidsHealth.org. Foods containing milk may worsen cramps, so steer clear of puddings and ice cream. Resume your normal eating habits once your cramping and nausea are completely gone.
Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory to ease stomach cramping. Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen decrease swelling and pain.
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Dietary Stomach Cramps Causes
Causes of stomach cramps may be related to your eating habits, especially if you change them suddenly.
- Overeating: If you overeat, your stomach will be forced to stretch to accommodate a higher volume of food.
- Spicy or oily foods: Eating new or rich dishes that your digestive system isn’t used to can cause stomach discomfort.
- Dairy products: Some people’s bodies are not able to break down dairy products like milk, yogurt, or ice cream.
- Gluten: This is a type of protein found in grains like wheat and barley that should be avoided by people with Celiac Disease.
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What Are Stomach Cramps
Stomach cramps are cyclical tightening of the muscles of the gut that cause pain. It is a nonspecific symptom that refers to the pain present anywhere in the abdominal area. Organs in the abdomen include the stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, gallbladder and pancreas, and any disorder in these organs may cause pain. Most stomach cramps are not serious and heal with home remedies. However, cramps that last for a long time need a consultation with a physician.
Charlie Horse In Stomach
Charlie horse in stomach, have you ever heard of this term. Now, you might be wondering what is this horse and that too in the stomach. Charlie horse is a term used colloquially to describe any form of muscle spasm. Spasm is the sudden involuntary contraction of a muscle.
Charlie horse or muscle spasm can occur anywhere in our body, including the arms, legs, abdomen, etc. But, if they occur in the stomach or abdomen, they are called Charlie horse in stomach.
In most of the people, having Charlie horse in stomach is not harmful at all, and it can be treated with simple home remedies and Tips. But, in some people, it can indicate a serious underlying disorder especially if the muscle spasms are severe and continuous, and this might need medical attention.
Contents
Charlie horse in stomach Causes:
Charlie horse in stomach can be caused due to spasm of the muscles over the abdomen, or due to spasm of the smooth muscles of the stomach or intestines. Now, let us try to explore the causes of Charlie horse in stomach or stomach muscle spasms or cramps or stomach spasms.
Impaired blood circulation:
All the body parts require an adequate supply of blood to function normally. If there is any impairment or reduction in the supply of blood to the abdominal muscles or to the inner organs like stomach or intestine due to any cause, it can lead to sudden muscle cramps or spasm or Charlie horse in stomach.
Dehydration:
Gastroparesis:
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Urgent Advice: Speak To Your Gp As Soon As Possible If:
- you have severe abdominal pain, especially if it’s concentrated in one area
- the pain starts suddenly or unexpectedly
If your GP is closed, phone 111.
Serious causes of sudden severe abdominal pain include:
- appendicitis the swelling of the appendix means your appendix will need to be removed
- a bleeding or perforated stomach ulcer
- acute cholecystitis inflammation of the gallbladder, which may need to be removed
- kidney stones small stones may be passed out in your urine, but larger stones may block the kidney tubes, and you’ll need to go to hospital to have them broken up
- diverticulitis inflammation of the small pouches in the bowel that sometimes requires treatment with antibiotics in hospital
If your GP suspects you have one of these conditions, they may refer you to hospital immediately.
Sudden and severe pain in your abdomen can also sometimes be caused by an infection of the stomach and bowel . It may also be caused by a pulled muscle in your abdomen or by an injury.
How Can I Feel Better
Most bellyaches don’t have a serious cause. They can happen for many different reasons, but most are easy to treat.
If stress or anxiety seem to be behind the pain, the doctor may recommend that you talk to a counselor or therapist. They help people figure out what’s behind their stress and give advice on how to fix problems or handle them better.
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When Should I See My Doctor
In some cases, you should seek urgent medical attention or consult a doctor if you have abdominal pain.
If you have a sudden, severe, incapacitating pain in your abdomen, go immediately to your nearest emergency department or call triple zero and ask for an ambulance.
You should also seek urgent medical attention if you have pain that:
- is severe and/or getting worse
- has lasted for several hours or more
- wakes you from sleep
- is spreading to your neck, chest or shoulders
- makes it difficult to swallow
Urgent medical attention is also required if you have abdominal pain accompanied by
- unexplained weight loss
- skin that appears yellow
If you are experiencing pain high up in your abdomen that is made worse by exercise it could be angina or a heart attack. If you, or someone near you is experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, call triple zero immediately and ask for an ambulance.
If you are pregnant and experiencing abdominal pain, check with your doctor or midwife. Abdominal pains are common in pregnancy, but should always be checked out.
If your abdominal pain does not match the situations above, but it is recurrent or persistent , or it started mild but is worsening, you should still consult a doctor.
Types Of Abdominal Pain
There are three types of abdominal pain that you can experience cramp-like, localized, or colicky.
Localized abdominal pain is when only one area of the abdomen is aching. This type of abdominal pain is usually caused due to issues associated with a single organ. Examples of localized abdominal pain are stomach ulcers.
Colicky abdominal pain is when you have a sharp, severe spasmodic pain which cannot be localised to one place which is waxing and waning persisting for few minutes reducing and recurring again.. This type of abdominal pain can last long if left untreated. You can experience this due to kidney stones, intestinal obstruction etc
Cramp-like abdominal pain is when you experience pain similar to cramps. Sometimes this type of pain goes away without you doing anything. Women can experience this pain due to menstruation. Other causes of this type of pain include constipation, flatulence, or diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome etc.
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How To Make Stomach Cramps To Go Away At Home
There are numerous ingredients that you can find in your own home or that you can purchase from a local store to alleviate even the most severe abdominal cramps. Just by eating certain foods, you can say goodbye to gas, running muscle cramps, nausea, bloating, ovulation pain, hurtful bowel movement, abdominal cramps during pregnancy, and more.
How?- you ask. We are more than happy to share the amazing tips and tricks with you, through these 12 home remedies for abdominal cramps. Before you run out to the pharmacy, stop and check out our recommendations below and, after you read this article, you can also take a look at our list of superfoods for improving digestion for extra support.
What Is Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain may be felt anywhere between the chest and groin region of your body. The pain may be generalized, localized, or it may feel like cramps in your belly. If you have cramping or discomfort in your stomach, it may be due to gas, bloating, or constipation. Or it might be a sign of a more serious medical condition.
Colicky pain in the abdomen region comes and goes. One moment, you may feel fine, but the next, you may experience sharp, sudden pain in your abdomen. Kidney stones and gallstones are often the cause of this type of pain.
Many conditions can cause abdominal pain. But the main causes are:
Mild abdominal pain may go away without treatment. For example, if youre experiencing abdominal pain because of gas or bloating, it may simply need to run its course.
But in some cases, abdominal pain may warrant a trip to the doctor.
You should seek immediate medical care if the pain is so severe that you cant sit still or need to curl into a ball to get comfortable, or if you have any of the following:
- unexplained weight loss
If you dont already have a gastroenterologist, the Healthline FindCare tool can help you find a physician in your area.
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Whats The Difference Between Period Cramps And Implantation Cramps
Implantation cramping may be an early sign of pregnancy. Understanding the causes and key differences between implantation cramps and period cramps will help people to recognize them. Implantation cramping is a type of pain sometimes experienced when a fertilized egg attaches itself to the lining of the uterus.
Causes Of Stomach Cramps And Diarrhea
Many causes of digestive upset will also result in stomach cramping and diarrhea. Cramps in the lower abdominal area usually feel like short, sharp pains that donât last very long. Stomach cramps may also feel as if your belly muscles are tightening.
Some of the reasons for stomach aches that also cause stomach cramping and loose stool are:
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Stomach Pain In The Upper Abdomen
If your child is complaining about pain in their upper abdomen, they may be experiencing indigestion. Telltale signs of indigestion include:
- Pain in the middle of the upper belly
“Indigestion may be the cause, if your child complains about pain in their upper belly, especially if it happens after eating certain foods,” says Dr. Mehta.
If your child has pain in the upper right side of their abdomen, this could also be a sign of gallstones. Gallstones are more common in adults than in children, but some children may be more at risk for developing gallstones including children with obesity, children with certain health conditions including sickle cell disease, and children with a family history of gallstone disease.
Stomach Cramps And Diarrhea
Diarrhea can give out several side effects such as abdominal cramps. Abdominal cramps and diarrhea, however, are only symptoms of several diseases that include food poisoning, indigestion, gastritis, difficulty in bowel release, parasitic infections, and travelers diarrhea among others. If a persons bowel movement occurs at least thrice in a day especially with stomach belching, it can be considered as diarrhea and diarrhea usually goes with stomach cramps.
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