How To Relieve Stomach Pain Due To Constipation

Take Probiotics And Prebiotics

Prebiotics are parts of foods that can’t be digested. For example, fruit and vegetable skins. Probiotics are live bacteria created during the fermentation process in foods like yogurt.

Probiotics are supposed to live in your intestines, but our environment, unhealthy lifestyles, and antibiotics all reduce their amount. They’re essential for our digestion and help relieve symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhea. You can either buy probiotics and take them in the dosage recommended by your doctor or eat more fermented foods like Kombucha.

When Is It Time To See A Doctor About Constipation

Many people get spooked if they can’t go to the bathroom for a few days, but it’s not a medical emergency, says Robynne Chutkan, M.D., a gastroenterologist in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and author of Gutbliss: A 10-Day Plan to Ban Bloat, Flush Toxins, and Dump Your Digestive Baggage.

However, if it’s been a week since your last bowel movementand you’ve tried at-home treatments to no availthat’s a good time to call your doc to schedule an in-office visit, says Chutkan,

Other than how frequentlyer, how infrequentlyyou’re on the toilet, more serious symptoms you should look out for include: changes in stool texture, blood in stool, hemorrhoids, weight loss, decreased appetite, or nausea and vomiting.

In those cases, a doctor’s number-one concern about your number-twos is colorectal cancer. So theyll want to rule it out before figuring out any other causes of constipation.

In rare cases, your constipation could also be a form of digestive obstruction, where there is an actual blockage in your system, says Latorre. Patients will usually look very sick with nausea, vomiting, abdominal distention, and pain. They key difference is that they are also unable to pass gas, she explains. If you’re experiencing any of those symptoms, get to a doctor ASAP.

Stomach Pain And Constipation Due To Mucus Drainage

Stomach pain and constipation combination is absolutely horrible! Not being able torelieve yourself is the worse feeling of all. Ive been there and so has my 6-year old son ughno fun atall!

My 6-year-old would say, Mommy my stomach hurts and would often strainto go to the bathroom. I felt so bad to see him in pain. Having a debilitating pain from not being able to pass bowels made me feel terrible aswell.

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How Is Constipation Treated

Self-care

Most cases of mild to moderate constipation can be managed by you at home. Self-care starts by taking an inventory of what you eat and drink and then making changes.

Some recommendations to help relieve your constipation include:

• Drink two to four extra glasses of water a day. Avoid caffeine-containing drinks and alcohol, which can cause dehydration.
• Add fruits, vegetables whole grains and other high-fiber foods to your diet. Eat fewer high-fat foods, like meat, eggs and cheese.
• Eat prunes and/or bran cereal.
• Keep a food diary and single out foods that constipate you.
• Get moving, exercise.
• Check how you sit on the toilet. Raising your feet, leaning back or squatting may make having a bowel movement easier.
• Add an over-the-counter supplemental fiber to your diet .
• If needed, take a very mild over-the-counter stool softener or laxative . Mineral oil enemas, like Fleet®, and stimulant laxatives, like bisacodyl or senna , are other options. There are many laxative choices. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for help in making a choice. Do not use laxatives for more than two weeks without calling your doctor. Overuse of laxatives can worsen your symptoms.
• Do not read, use your phone or other devices while trying to move your bowels.

Medication/supplement review

Prescription medications

Surgery

What Should I Expect When I Talk To My Doctor About My Constipation

Talking to your doctor or anyone about your bowel movements is not the most pleasant of topics. Know that your doctor is there for you. Doctors are trained health professionals who have discussed just about every health topic you can think of with their patients.

Your doctor will first ask you questions about your medical history, bowel movements, and your lifestyle and routines.

Medical history

• What are your current and past diseases/health conditions?
• Have you lost or gained any weight recently?
• Have you had any previous digestive tract surgeries?
• What medications and supplements do you take for other disorders and for the relief of constipation?
• Does anyone in your family have constipation or diseases of the digestive tract or a history of colon cancer?
• Have you had a colonoscopy?

Bowel movement history

• How often do you have a bowel movement?
• What do your stools look like?
• Have you noticed any blood or red streaks in your stool?
• Have you ever seen blood in the toilet bowl or on the toilet paper after you wipe?

Lifestyle habits and routines

• What food and beverages do you eat and drink?
• What is your exercise routine?

Your doctor will also perform a physical exam, which includes a check of your vital signs . He or she will use a stethoscope to listen to the sounds in your abdomen. Your abdomen will also be touched to check for pain, tenderness, swelling, and lumps.

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Getting Rid Of Constipation Forever

I used to suffer daily with some sort of stomach pain or discomfort, until I realized that constipation was behind it.

So, I developed a daily regimen to stave off constipation and its undesirable symptoms.

Magnesium, the silver bullet

A daily dose of magnesium along with exercise and a balanced diet to implement can go a long way to eliminate digestive problems, and the stomach pain that can accompany it.

For a magnesium supplement, I prefer using a sea mineral supplement.

Its magnesium has many health benefits. It also contains valuable trace minerals.

Can constipation cause stomach pain? Yes. Its just another good reason to do something to remedy that constipation problem.

Constipation In Adults Prevention

• Develop regular bowel habits. Set aside time before or after breakfast to use the toilet.
• Do not ignore the desire to defecate. Answer nature’s call to empty your bowel as soon as possible.
• Eat a well-balanced diet that includes wheat grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Recent evidence suggests that increasing dietary fiber intake may help some people with hard stools, but is not necessarily of benefit in every person with constipation.
• Drink plenty of water and fruit juice.
• Exercise regularly. Walking is especially important.
• Avoid intake of medications that may cause constipation. Discuss the medications and OTC products you current take with your doctor or pharmacist.
• The use of laxatives can make a constipation problem worse in the long-term and should be avoided.

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Brain Or Spinal Injuries And Disorders

The spinal cord and brain control a personâs ability to pass stool. Injuries or conditions that damage the brain and spinal cord can affect this ability.

For example, a person may no longer experience the sensation that lets them know when they need to have a bowel movement, or they may lose voluntary control over defecation.

Damage to the brain and spinal cord can result from:

• traumatic injury

Know When To See A Doctor

Sometimes simple changes are not enough. If yourconstipation doesnt respond to treatments or changes in your diet, and if itlasts for weeks or months, Dr. Zutshi recommends getting yourself checked outto exclude more serious medical causes.

Its especially important to see a professional if you haveother symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, cramping or spasms.

Chronic constipation can be a sign of conditions such as:

• Hyperthyroidism
• Celiac disease
• Irritable bowel syndrome

Opioid-induced constipation is its own entity and shouldalso be treated by a physician, Dr. Zutshi says.

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Are You Having Stomach Pain Similar To Mine

I wasnt quite sure where it was stemming fromsince I was a pretty, healthy eater and exercised. I of course indulged at times but nonetheless, a good, conscientous eater.

To ease my stomach pain andto eradicate my constipation, I began to take

• fiber pills,
• probiotics,
• gas-x

and anything that I thought would help me but to no avail, they would help for a little while but then stop. I would have awful stomach gasespecially in the mornings before even eating anything.

My stomach pain would come and go but starting coming moreoften and anything that I ate caused my stomach to hurt. I would also have pressure in my rectal area, which gave me the urge to go but I couldn’t or if tried just tiny little balls would emerge. I still felt bloated with so much pain. Oh my frustration!

Causes Of Acute Stomach Pain

• Eating Too Much. Eating too much can cause an upset stomach and mild stomach pain.
• Hunger Pains. Younger children may complain of stomach pain when they are hungry.
• GI Virus . A GI virus can cause stomach cramps as well as vomiting and/or diarrhea.
• Food Poisoning. This causes sudden vomiting and/or diarrhea within hours after eating the bad food. It is caused by toxins from germs growing in foods left out too long. Most often, symptoms go away in less than 24 hours. It often can be treated at home without the need for medical care.
• Constipation. The need to pass a stool may cause cramps in the lower abdomen.
• Strep Throat. A strep throat infection causes 10% of new onset stomach pain with fever.
• Bladder Infection. Bladder infections usually present with painful urination, urgency and bad smelling urine. Sometimes the only symptom is pain in the lower abdomen.
• Appendicitis . Suspect appendicitis if pain is low on the right side and walks bent over. Other signs are the child won’t hop and wants to lie still.
• Intussusception . Sudden attacks of severe pain that switch back and forth with periods of calm. Caused by one segment of bowel telescoping into a lower piece of bowel. Peak age is 6 months to 2 years.

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Apply A Warm Compress To Stomach

Oftentimes, stomach pain may also cause due to stress and muscle strains. Warming up the area near the stomach can help relax your muscles and reduces any tightness or cramps. Place a hot-water bottle or electric heating blanket or a heated wheat bag on your abdomen for 15-20 minutes to get relief from stomach pain.

Constipation Produces The Following Symptomswhich Can Cause Stomach Pain

Cramps

This cause of stomach pain that is annoying and irritating. These aren’t usually too much trouble unless:

• A fever is present
• Cramping lasts more than 24 hours

Stomach cramps usually come from constipation, gas, indigestion, and bloating.

Nausea

This results from backed up stool in the colon.

This backed up stool causes problems with the whole gastrointestinal tract. The regular function of moving food into the digestion processes is slowed down, which can result in nausea.

The following can also cause nausea:

• Distension of the colon
• A bowel obstruction

A full feeling

When constipated, have you experienced a bloated, distended stomach? Then in a few hours perhaps it gets worse, as your stomach starts feeling even tighter and starts to hurt.

This tight sensation makes you feel heavy and full. Sometimes you might skip a meal because you feel so full and by skipping a meal can cause a hunger headache and dehydration.

Intestinal blockages

This can cause severe stomach pain. Constipation can cause intestinal blockages at any point in the colon.

These can block the intestinal track from passing waste material, fluids or gas along the digestion pathway, producing sharp stomach pains.

Gas build up

This can be caused by constipation. Yeast in the colon ferments the stool, and a byproduct of fermentation is gas. When this gas cant be expelled, it produces pressure and pain.

Indigestion

Bloating

Belching

The gas that is produced is expelled through the mouth.

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What Causes Gas Bloating And Belching

Most people have had excess gas, bloating, or belching. Sometimes these symptoms can cause problems or pain.

Bloating is a sensation of belly fullness. Sometimes your belly looks bigger, but not always. People with bloating do not necessarily have too much gas in their stomach, but they are often much more sensitive to stomach symptoms.

Belching is usually caused by swallowing too much air, eating or drinking too fast, drinking carbonated or caffeinated drinks, smoking, or a nervous habit.

Flatulence is the release of excess gas in the colon. It is usually related to your diet.

Most of the time, one or more of these disordersirritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, or chronic constipationare the cause of gas, bloating, and belching.

Gas, bloating, and belching are not typical symptoms of cancer or other dangerous conditions, even if you also have abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation. However, you should let your doctor know if you are losing weight, having fevers, or bleeding. These symptoms can be more serious.

Although anxiety, depression, and stressful life events do not cause these conditions, they may make the symptoms worse and harder to treat.

Duration Of Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain can be brief or long-lasting, depending on its underlying cause. It can be ongoing or recurring, coming and going at what seem like random intervals or with certain activities or behaviors.

How long your abdominal pain lasts, or whether it comes and goes, doesnt necessarily correspond to how severe the underlying condition is.

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What Is The Treatment For Ibs

There is no cure for IBS, but there are things you can do to feel better. Treatment may include:

• Changing your diet

Your doctor may give you medicine to help with symptoms:

• Fiber supplements such as psyllium to help control constipation.
• Anti-diarrheal medications, such as loperamide , to help control diarrhea.
• Antispasmodic agents such as peppermint oil or dicyclomine to slow contractions in the bowel, which may help with diarrhea and pain.
• Antidepressant medications such as a tricylcic antidepressant or a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor if symptoms include pain or depression.
• IBS medication. A medication known as Lubiprostone is approved by the FDA for women with severe IBS-C .

Take your medicine exactly as your doctor tells you to. All drugs have side effects and may affect people differently. Tell your doctor about any over-the-counter medicines you take.

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.

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Eating More Calories Than Usual

Lets face it. When youre off your schedule, sometimes the most interesting thing you can do is bake. But consuming excess calories especially those found in cookies, cakes and bread can pack on the pounds and cause your belly to bloat.

If cooking is your jam while sheltering in place, reserve high-calorie recipes for special occasions, or cut it back to one meal a week.

Counseling And Stress Relief

Many people who seek care for IBS also have anxiety, panic, or depression. Stress is also an issue for people with IBS because it can make the symptoms worse. Research shows that psychological therapy can help ease IBS symptoms. Therapies that can help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy , a short-term treatment that mixes different types of therapies and behavioral strategies. The type of CBT used to treat IBS may focus on managing life stress. Or, it may focus on changing how a person responds to anxiety about IBS symptoms.
• Dynamic psychotherapy, an intensive, short-term form of talk therapy. It may focus on in-depth discussions about the link between symptoms and emotions. The therapy may also help people identify and resolve interpersonal conflicts.
• Hypnotherapy, where people enter an altered state of consciousness. Visual suggestions are made to imagine pain going away, for example.

General stress relief is also important. Exercising regularly is a good way to relieve stress. It also helps the bowel function better and improves overall health. Meditation, yoga, and massage may also help.

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When Should I Call My Doctor

Also, make the call if:

• Constipation is a new problem for you and lifestyle changes havenât helped.
• You have blood in your stool.
• Youâre losing weight even though youâre not trying to.
• You have severe pain with bowel movements.
• Your constipation has lasted more than 2 weeks.
• The size, shape, and consistency of your stool has changed dramatically.

Your doctor may recommend some tests to find the cause of your constipation:

• Blood tests to check on hormone levels
• Tests that check the muscles in your anus
• Tests that show how waste moves through and out of your colon
• Colonoscopy to look for blockages in your colon

What Are The Potential Complications Of Constipation

In some cases, constipation can be caused by a serious condition of the gastrointestinal tract, such as bowel obstruction. It is important to contact your healthcare provider if you develop persistent constipation that lasts more than a few days.

Once the underlying cause is diagnosed, following the treatment plan outlined by your doctor can lower your risk of potential complications including:

• Peritonitis and shock from intestinal obstruction

• Rectal bleeding

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Chamomile Tea To Cure Stomach Pain

Chamomile tea is known to work as an anti-inflammatory along the digestive tract.

If your stomach pain is caused by gastritis or indigestion, a cup of chamomile can offer relief. It does this by relaxing muscles along the stomach and the esophagus, easing the contractions that push food along, and lessens any cramps or spasms you are experiencing.

• Place one teaspoon of dried chamomile in one cup of boiled water.
• Cover and allow to steep for 15 minutes.
• Strain tea and add lemon or honey for taste.
• Drink up to three cups daily