How To Get Rid Of Upper Abdominal Pain
One common health problem that affects people of all ages is abdominal pain. The pain can be caused by many conditions. However, the main causes include an infection, abnormal growth, inflammation, obstruction and intestinal disorders.
The abdomen is divided into four quadrants: right upper quadrant, left upper quadrant, right lower quadrant and left lower quadrant. It is very important to know the exact location of the pain. This helps narrow down possible causes.
In fact, there can be different causes behind abdominal pain in different areas. For instance, pain in the upper abdomen may relate to the liver, right kidney, portions of the colon, spleen, pancreas or stomach.
Upper left abdominal pain can be due to an enlarged spleen, fecal impaction , injury, kidney infection, heart attack or cancer. On the other hand, upper right abdominal pain can be due to hepatitis, injury, pneumonia or appendicitis.
Upper abdominal pain can be dull, intermittent or sharp, depending upon the cause. If the pain is intense and chronic, immediate medical attention is needed.
Once the cause is known, treatment becomes easier. For mild upper abdominal pain, you can get relief from simple home remedies and lifestyle changes.
Here are the top 10 ways to treat upper abdominal pain.
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Ginger Tea As A Stomach Pain Remedy
The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of ginger neutralize excess acids that cause stomach pain.
Drinking ginger tea may help to stimulate proper digestion by promoting the production of digestive juices while fighting harmful free radicals that cause disease.
Drink two to three cups of ginger tea daily.
- Cut one medium-sized ginger root into thin slices.
- Add the ginger to one cup of boiling water and boil for three minutes.
- Lower heat and simmer for five minutes.
- Strain and add honey for flavor.
Stay Upright To Make Farting Easier And Quicker
Interestingly, staying in the upright position may make it easier to fart when you need to.
Although many people find that lying down helps to ease abdominal discomfort, staying upright may help to make yourself break wind easier. For example, a report published in the journal Gut reported that the upright position helps ease symptoms of flatulence and propel gas from your gut easier. Being upright, rather than lying on your back, also helps to get relief from bloating and gut distention.8
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Should You Treat Your Stomach Pain At Home
Most of the time, stomach cramps arent a big deal. You can treat them at home without consulting your doctor first.
However, you should call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms:
- Pain that doesnt get better in a few hours.
- Pain that is very intense.
- Dizziness.
- Vomiting that persists longer than a day or two.
- Bloody or black, tar-like bowel movements.
If youre not having any of these symptoms, try these home remedies for upset stomach, and youll be feeling better in no time.
What Is Upper Stomach Pain
Upper stomach pain is a common ailment among adults and children. Your intestines, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder are all found in your upper stomach. Because of this, the list of potential causes of upper stomach pain is long. Indigestion, heartburn, gas, or a common stomach virus can cause pain in your upper stomach.
Causes for upper stomach pain range from benign to life-threatening, so it is important to consult with a doctor if you are experiencing stomach pain. The ailment can cause severe discomfort, but there are several steps you can take to alleviate upper stomach pain.
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Abdominal Massage To Get Rid Of Gas On Command
An abdominal massage can help you fart on command and quickly get rid of trapped gas when you need to.
Having belly cramps because of trapped wind in your abdomen can be very painful and uncomfortable. Doctors from the National Health Service say that an abdominal massage can help to relieve flatus and ease abdominal cramping that it causes.6
According to the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, regular abdominal massages can help to improve gastrointestinal symptoms. The massage techniques help to relax abdominal muscles and get rid of bloating and can be used to prevent symptoms related to IBS.7
How to give yourself an abdominal massage to fart easier:
To massage your belly so that you can fart easier and free yourself from trapped gas in your intestines, this is what you should do:
After completing the abdominal massage, you should find it easier to break wind and relieve discomfort from your belly.
Using Hot Water Bottles To Relieve Stomachache
Hot compresses can help soothe stomach pain. The word hot is used loosely here, since the desired level of heat will depend on both the level of pain and personal preference.
Fill the bottle or similar object with warm or hot water, place a cloth between it and your skin, and find a comfortable place to lie down.
- Place the hot water bottle, or a cloth soaked in hot water, on stomach for a five- to 10-minute treatment throughout the day.
- Take a warm shower or bath twice a day for 15- to 20-minute intervals.
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Take A Break From Feasting
When you’ve stuffed yourself to the point of stomach discomfort, it is time to take a break from eating and drinking for at least a few hours. This gives your stomach a chance to empty. The amount of time needed to completely empty your stomach significantly increases if you have eaten a large amount of high-fat foods.
It’s best to also eschew smoking and chewing gum to avoid swallowing air, further distending your already bloated stomach. When you feel up to eating again, try sticking to light low-fat fare, such a small bowl of clear soup and a cup of tea or coffee.
Go Back To Bed To Restore Circadian Rhythm
One of the most restorative remedies you can try when hungover is simply to get more sleep. In fact, delayed cognitive function during a hangover is likely linked to the poor sleep associated with alcohol use, according to Harvard Health. In fact, a study published in December 2018 in the journal Addiction found that a hangover may impair sustained attention and negatively impact everyday tasks like driving.
The National Sleep Foundation notes that alcohol disrupts your circadian rhythm and prevents REM sleep its unlikely youll fall into a deep, restful sleep after drinking more than a glass of wine or two. Poor sleep, according to Harvard, is linked to anxiety, irritability, and depressed mood, and alcohol, as a depressant, exacerbates these effects.
Its been shown that youre unable to achieve the usual REM sleep cycle when drinking alcohol, so even if youre getting a couple hours of sleep, youre probably not getting good sleep, says Malamet.
The best way to feel better sooner? Hydrate and hit the snooze button.
Additional reporting by Brianna Majsiak.
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Home Remedies For Stomach Pain
Disclaimer: Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***.
Stabbing, throbbing, pulsing, or burning abdominal pains may be the sign of either minor or serious health conditions.
In most cases, relief can be found with all-natural home remedies for stomach pain.
The powerful yet nontoxic properties of many common kitchen products may help to alleviate the pain and other symptoms caused by gas, constipation, irritating foods, indigestion, food allergies, or viral infections.
Identifying the cause is the first step in knowing how to get relief from stomach pain.
In this article:
Do 5 Minutes Of Breath Work To Focus The Body On Digestion
Especially if you were stressed when eating, or if you experience chronic stress, that can take a toll on digestion.
The body has two states: fight or flight or rest and digest. If youre experiencing a stressor, such as from work, the body is in fight or flight mode to address the stress, not rest and digest to focus on digesting food. This makes digestion particularly difficult, which can often result in a stomachache.
To reset the body for digestion, taking a few deep breaths can help to recenter it and shift its focus to digesting your food. At the onset of a stomachache , take 3-5 really deep breaths in and out to help reduce the stomachache.
Watch this video to learn some deep breathing exercises :
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Consider A Digestive Aid
You might consider an over-the-counter digestive aid if your discomfort persists despite trying other measures. Chewing a couple of antacid tablets can help, especially if you are experiencing heartburn as well as stomach discomfort.
Products containing bismuth subsalicylate claim to relieve a variety of digestive symptoms that might plague you after eating too much, including indigestion, heartburn and stomach upset. Anti-gas products that contain simethicone are particularly helpful if you are suffering with a lot of gas and belching along with your stomach discomfort.
When Should An Adult Seek Medical Care For Abdominal Pain
- Abdominal pain that lasts more than six hours or continues to worsen
- Severe abdominal pain
- Pain that worsens when a person tries to move around
- Pain that starts all over, but settles into one area, especially the right lower abdomen
- Pain that awakens a person up at night
- Pain with vaginal bleeding or pregnancy, even if a female only thinks she might be pregnant
- Pain accompanied by a fever over 101 F
- Pain along with an inability to urinate, move the bowels, or pass gas
- Any other pain that feels different from a simple stomach ache
- Any other pain that alarms a person, or concerns them in any way
If the person has any of the following, or cannot reach their doctor, go to a hospital emergency department:
- Very severe pain
- Pain so bad the affected person passes out or almost passes out
- Pain so bad the affected person cannot move
- Pain and vomiting blood, or any vomiting that lasts more than six hours
- Pain and no bowel movement for more than three days
- Pain the person thinks might be in their chest, but they aren’t sure
- Pain that seems to come from the person’s testicles
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How To Get Rid Of A Hangover Stomach Ache
The morning after a big night of drinking can be unpleasant. If you have a hangover and associated stomach ache from too much alcohol, getting rid of the stomach issues may be your first priority.
Your bodys response to over-consumption of alcohol could be intense, but you can take steps to minimize the discomfort.
What Can I Do To Prevent Excessive Farting
You can prevent excessive farting throughout the day by making changes to your eating habits, diet and looking after your digestive health. Here are some tips that doctors from the American College of Gastroenterology provide:18
- Eat slower to prevent swallowing too much air that can cause farting.
- Reduce your intake of beans, cabbage, cauliflower, and carbonated drinks.
- Choose wholegrain rice over wheat, potatoes, and other starchy foods.
- Consume fewer dairy products .
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How Do You Get Rid Of A Stomach Ache In 5 Minutes
Over the counter medical treatment
- For gas-related pain, OTC medication like Mylanta, Gas-X can help get rid of gas and bloating.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease can cause stomach ache and burning sensation , an antacid or acid reducer like Pepcid AC or Zantac 75 can help.
- For constipation, a mild OTC stool softener or laxative can help relieve constipation in most cases.
- Abdominal cramps can occur due to diarrhea. Medicines like Pepto-Bismol, which contain loperamide or bismuth subsalicylate, can help reduce diarrhea and cramps.
- Pain relievers, such as Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, can help reduce the abdominal pain and the pain of cramps caused due to several conditions. It may be combined with anti-cramping medications.
Lifestyle and home remedies:
Anti-inflammatory foods:
Eating foods that have anti-inflammatory properties can reduce abdominal pain. These foods include blueberries, squash, cherries, capsicum, tomatoes, cold-water fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, beans, green leafy vegetables, and almonds. These foods also improve overall body health. It’s advised to incorporate these foods in the diet throughout the year, instead of just during the periods. Sugary food, fried and fatty foods, white bread or pasta, alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco can increase cramps.
Herbs to reduce cramps:
Heat therapy:
Eating practices:
Use A Heating Pad Or Hot Water Bottle
Heat is a simple but effective remedy for stomach pain.
If youre wondering how to get rid of cramps fast, try this tip first.
Grab an electric blanket, heating pad, or hot water bottle. You want something thats very warm, but not so hot it will burn you.
Get comfortable and place your heating pad over the part of your stomach that hurts.
It might take 10-15 minutes to start feeling the soothing effects of the heat.
Dont have a heating pad? You can easily make one with some dry rice and a pair of socks.
Find a pair of socks that dont contain any synthetic material, and pour a cup or two of dry rice into one.
Tie a knot in the top and microwave it for a minute or two. Reheat your makeshift heating pad whenever it starts to cool down.
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Our FIR mats have so many more benefits than regular heating pads
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Treatments For An Upset Stomach
Drink plenty of liquids, but do so in small amounts water is a good choice. Sports drinks and coconut water help replenish electrolytes, which can help if you experience vomiting. Try clear, carbonated, and caffeine-free beverages such as tonic water, club soda, or ginger ale. Teas containing peppermint, chamomile, or ginger may help settle an upset stomach.
Eat bland foods such as bananas, rice, applesauce, and white bread. Soup, broth, or bullion are good options if you do not have an appetite, or if you have trouble keeping solid food down. Avoid dairy and whole grains, as well as rich, spicy, greasy, and fatty foods.
Other things that can help treat an upset stomach:
- Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and caffeinated beverages.
- Over-the-counter antacids can help relieve an upset stomach.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing, especially pants.
- Sit upright and avoid lying down or bending over at the waist.
Stomach Pain And Long
Because of the extra acid in your stomach and the changes to the way your body processes nutrients, the stomach pain from anxiety can be a problem if left untreated. Ulcers are just one example. Some people experience heartburn from anxiety, and others eat less often, giving their body fewer nutrients.
The stomach pain from anxiety and stress is rarely dangerous, but it is still important to treat it, because the effects on your long-term health when it is left untreated may be harder to manage.
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How To Relieve Stomach Pain Symptoms
There isnt necessarily a cure for the stomach pain symptoms themselves. When your body is under stress, your stomach tends to hurt based on the acids in your stomach and the foods youve already eaten. If you have stomach pain as a result of an anxiety attack, you may need to wait it out.
Water can help a little, however. So consider sipping cool water. Antacids may also be beneficial in some cases, but if you have stomach pain often, you may not want to depend on antacid treatments.
SUMMARY:
Stomach pain from anxiety can be caused by several stress-related issues, including abdominal tension, digestion issues, and irritable bowel. Although the stomach pain may be caused by anxiety, the acids in the stomach are still very real. There are ways to treat both your stomach discomfort and anxiety.
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Wide Range Of Symptoms
One of the more surprising issues with some types of anxiety disorder is the way that they change sensations in our body. For example, for many, feeling full is a nice feeling. However, it can lead to a variety of natural body sensations, including:
- Feeling lightheaded
- Slight stomach discomfort
- Fatigue
In those without anxiety, these are natural. In people suffering from some degree of anxiety, those sensations feel much more pronounced and can trigger a full-blown panic attack.
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What Causes Upper Stomach Pain
Potential causes of upper stomach pain include:
- Obstruction of the bowel
- Stomach virus
While the ailment has many causes, the nature of your discomfort gradual or sudden, aching or sharp can indicate to your doctor what is causing your upper stomach pain. Depending on your diagnosis, your doctor will prescribe an appropriate treatment.