What Can I Take To Make My Stomach Stop Hurting

Diagnosis Of Abdominal Pain In Adults

If examinations and tests are needed, these may include:

• a rectal exam to check for hidden blood or other problems
• if you are a man, the doctor may check your penis and scrotum
• if you are a woman, the doctor may do a pelvic exam to check for problems in your womb , fallopian tubes and ovaries, and do a pregnancy test
• a blood test to look for infection or bleeding
• other blood tests may look at enzymes in the liver, pancreas and heart to sort out which organ may be involved
• a urine test to look for a urine infection or blood
• an ECG to rule out a heart attack
• other tests, including x-ray, ultrasound or CT scan
• sometimes you may be referred to another doctor to help find the cause of the problem.
• endoscopy is an examination where a flexible tube with a light and video camera at the tip is used to examine some internal organs without the need for surgery. Different names are used depending on which organ is being looked at.

If you do have tests, the doctor will explain the results to you. Some results may take a number of days to come back and these will be sent to your local doctor.

Is Dyspepsia A Serious Condition

Most often, medicine can take care of this condition.

Sometimes dyspepsia can be the sign of a serious problemfor example, a deep stomach ulcer.

If you have dyspepsia, talk to your family doctor. This is especially important if any one of the following is true for you:

Youre over 50 years of age

How To Control Your Anxiety Upset Stomach

Stomach upset can really put a damper on your ability to live a happy life. Ideally, you’ll need to treat your anxiety to experience a calmer stomach.

Even though anxiety is causing your stomach to feel sick, many of the symptoms can be reduced with various medications. You should always consult with a doctor before taking medication and do not want to rely on medication to cure your upset stomach. However, many people have had success with basic medications that calm the stomach. Common examples include:

• Tums
• Pepto-Bismol
• Rolaids

Eating healthier can also help. Remember that your anxiety is affecting your gut, but it’s not causing the symptoms all on its own. What’s in your stomach has an effect on the severity of the symptoms as well. Eating healthier – especially on days you expect to experience anxiety – can be very helpful. Drinking water may also be useful since water is gentle on the stomach.

You may also try distracting yourself. While your upset stomach may be severe, anxiety causes a tendency to focus on the experience, which causes further anxiety and exacerbates the severity of the stomach pain. A positive distraction, like a funny TV show, can actually make a big difference in the way you experience your upset stomach.

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What Can I Drink Or Eat To Help My Burning Stomach

Dealing with gas, bloating or stomach burning is certainly not the end of the world, but it can make even the simplest tasks far less pleasant. Fortunately, over-the-counter cures and home remedies can help put out the fire once you know what’s causing it.

If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.

Tips

Bland foods, such as white bread and plain white rice, along with clear broth and caffeine-free clear sodas, can often help soothe a burning stomach.

How To Stop Burning In Stomach

Stay hydrated, and avoid foods that trigger the burning sensation you are experiencing. Moreover, you can follow the home remedies listed above to soothe the burning sensation in your stomach.

If these home remedies dont provide your relief, consider going to your gastroenterologist or stomach specialist for proper diagnosis and treatment.

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Natural Remedies For Stomach Ache

If you get stomach aches periodically, youre not alone. An upset stomach can result from all sorts of things from stress and diet to more serious matters such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Celiac Disease or colon cancer.

While there is no comparison to care from one of our board-certified gastroenterologists, many stomach aches can easily be treated at home. However, if you have persistent issues or pain, or a sudden onset of severe symptoms, medical treatment is always your best option.

8 Natural Remedies for Stomach ache

Peppermint

The menthol in peppermint leaves has been used as a natural pain reliever to aid stomach problems for centuries. Try drinking it in a tea, chewing on mint gum, or sucking on a peppermint candy.

Apple Cider Vinegar

While not delicious to taste on its own, this pantry staple can be taken by the tablespoon to neutralize an upset stomach. Try mixing it with a cup of water and a teaspoon of honey. The acids inside may help decrease starch digestion, and keep the bacteria in the gut healthy.

Ginger

Ginger has been used since ancient times to help treat stomach aches, and science proves it truly can help. Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory and can be consumed in various forms candy, capsules, or as tea but fresh ginger root is best when looking to rid stomach pain.

Chamomile Tea

Drink Water

Exercise

Apply Heat

Try the BRAT Diet

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Drink Prune Juice To Relieve Stomach Pain

Stomach pain from constipation tends to radiate from the lower part of your abdomen and sometimes features a periodic shifting or gurgling feeling accompanied by a temporary spike in pain.

When constipation is your cause, consider a glass of prune juice or another type of laxative. If effective, you can expect to experience sudden relief.

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Pectin Supplements Can Prevent Diarrhea And Dysbiosis

When a stomach bug or foodborne illness causes diarrhea, pectin supplements can help speed up recovery.

Pectin is a type of plant fiber found in high quantities in apples and citrus fruits. Its often isolated from these fruits and sold as its own food product or supplement .

Pectin is not digested by humans, so it stays within the intestinal tract where its very effective at firming stools and preventing diarrhea .

In fact, one study found that 82% of sick children taking daily pectin supplements recovered from their diarrhea within 4 days, compared to only 23% of children not taking pectin supplements .

Pectin also relieves stomach upset by promoting the growth of good bacteria in the digestive tract.

Sometimes, people develop uncomfortable symptoms of gas, bloating or abdominal pain due to an imbalance of bacteria in their intestines.

This can happen for a variety of reasons, but is especially common after gut infections, after taking antibiotics or during periods of high stress (

49 ).

While pectin supplements are effective at relieving diarrhea and promoting a healthy balance of gut bacteria, its unknown whether natural foods rich in pectin would have the same benefits. More research is needed.

Summary

Pectin, a type of plant fiber found in apples and citrus fruits, may help shorten the duration of diarrhea and promote healthy gut bacteria when taken as a supplement.

Avoiding Smoking And Drinking Alcohol

Smoking and alcohol indigestion and other gastrointestinal conditions, such as gastrointestinal reflux disease .

Pros and cons

Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol intake improves peoples quality of life and reduces the risk of certain health conditions, such as cancer.

However, avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol can be difficult, and people may require extra support.

Learn more about quitting smoking and drinking:

• greasy foods

Pros and cons

Avoiding difficult-to-digest foods may help ease the stomach and reduce discomfort and pain. Additionally, more easily digestible foods such as fruit and vegetables may help promote a healthy, balanced diet.

However, avoiding richer or heavily preserved foods may be more difficult for people who do not have the time to source fresher food or those who live in a food desert.

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Pain Thats Not Going Away

Any chronic stomach discomfort that is, persistent or recurrent pain that lasts three months or longer warrants a visit to a doctor or nutritionist, said Liz McMahon, a Philadelphia-based registered dietitian. This sort of discomfort includes symptoms like ongoing diarrhea, constipation, pain after eating, feeling full after just a few bites of food, bloating and gas.

These conditions could be caused by anything from irritable bowel syndrome or lactose intolerance to something more severe like gastroparesis, a condition where the stomach doesnt empty properly, she said.

Its important to see a GI doctor to rule out anything more serious like inflammatory bowel disease or celiac disease, as well as just to get a proper diagnosis, McMahon said. Once we know what the issue is, then the registered dietitian can provide the right diet recommendations.

What To Do When Its More Than An Upset Stomach

If you continue to experience stomach discomfort more times than not, you notice your body responds poorly to certain foods, or you suddenly get very sick after eating, itâs a good idea to see a doctor. You could have a food intolerance or have contracted a foodborne illness. When it comes to your stomach, itâs better to be safe than sorry.

The more you know about your body and how it reacts to food, the better you can avoid any digestive discomfort. But, life happens, and itâs impossible to protect your stomach from everything. Whenever an upset stomach happens, you can trust Pepto Bismol to help provide relief.

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Common Causes Of Stomach Pain

Harmless abdominal pain usually subsides or goes away within two hours. Some of the common causes for stomach pain are from:

• Gas: Formed in the stomach and intestines as your body breaks down food, gas can cause general stomach pain and cramps. This often can be indicated by belching or flatulence.
• Bloating: Related to gas, bloating occurs when excess gas builds up in your digestive tract. Your stomach usually will feel full, and you may experience cramps.
• Constipation: This occurs when you are having difficulty making bowel movements. If you are having two or fewer bowel movements a week, constipation is the likely cause. In addition to feeling bloated and uncomfortable, you may experience cramping and pain in your rectum.
• Indigestion: This is typically experienced as an upset stomach, burning, or belly pain after eating.
• Stomach flu: Your stomach may hurt before each episode of vomiting or diarrhea.

When To See A Healthcare Provider

If your stomachache is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, you should see your healthcare provider:

• Nausea and vomiting for several days
• Bloody stools
• Significant abdominal tenderness
• Pain persists for several days
• Signs of dehydration

Any of the aforementioned symptoms signal something may be wrong, such as an infection or illness, that requires medical attention.

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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 contains 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.

Change How Often You Eat

Some people get belly pain between meals, when thereâs no buffer for the acid in your stomach. If this happens, eat smaller meals or snacks spaced out through the day so your stomach isnât empty for long periods.

The opposite also can cause stomach pain. If you eat so much that you feel stuffed, your stomach is likely to hurt.

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How To Make Stomach Cramps Go Away With Plain Yogurt

Plain yogurt has been a popular home remedy for abdominal cramps for quite some time. We can understand why, as it has proven its benefits in many cases. Even more so, yogurt with bacteria helps you alleviate pain caused by indigestion.

Make sure that the yogurt you consume is plain, without any added bits of fruit or chocolate. You can either enjoy the yogurt simply, or you can make your own concoction with coriander, cardamom, and a bit of salt. No matter what method you choose, you can drink it multiple times throughout the day for relief.

Nsaid Drugs And Stomach Ulcers

A group of painkillers known as NSAIDs carries a risk of stomach ulcers. The two best-known NSAIDs are aspirin and ibuprofen.

The risk of ulcers increases if the drugs are taken in high doses, or regularly for a long time.

Stronger NSAIDs, such as those that need a prescription, are riskier for stomach ulcers than those that can be bought over-the-counter .

People should always check labels and talk to a pharmacist or a doctor about any concerns with using painkillers. They may recommend an alternative such as acetaminophen.

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Head To The Drugstore

Some people find relief with over-the-counter products, such as simethicone and activated charcoal. Of the two, simethicone is considered the better option, although experts are not quite sure how it works. Brand names for simethicone include:

• Maalox Anti-Gas
• Gas-X
• Phazyme

You should know that activated charcoal may result in constipation, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. Therefore, its use is somewhat controversial within the medical community.

In addition, if you decide to try activated charcoal, you may find that it turns your stool black. However, black stools from charcoal supplements are not something to be concerned about.

As with any OTC product, check with your doctor before use. People who are pregnant or breastfeeding should generally avoid these products.

Pain Thats Accompanied By Nausea Or Vomiting

Stomach discomfort that comes along with nausea and vomiting can happen for a number of reasons, said Elena Ivanina, a gastroenterologist at Lenox Hill Hospital. This includes intestinal or bowel obstruction, gastrointestinal infection, inflammation, kidney stones, a ruptured ovarian cyst, an ulcer or even a heart attack.

There are many other diagnoses to consider so it is important to speak with a physician if you have abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting, Ivanina said.

Of course, some cases of nausea are due to overeating and food poisoning and usually pass within a day or two.

Most people have suffered from the occasional stomach bug that lasts around 24 hours and know how that feels, Ivanina said. But its time to see a doctor if the pain is unfamiliar, getting worse, isnt going away, or is associated with symptoms like a fever or blood in the stool, she said.

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When To Contact A Clinician

Persistent or severe abdominal pain, especially if unrelieved by vomiting or passing a bowel movement

Fever greater than 101 degrees F, not relieved by acetaminophen, or any fever that lasts more than three days

Vomiting or diarrhea without any improvement for more 24 hours

Blood in vomit or stools

No urination for more than 8 hours, or painful urination

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Home Remedies For Stomach Pain May Work For You

Stomach pain is a common complaint that can range from mild stabs of pain to debilitating painful cramps.

Causes of stomach pain may be linked to an underlying health condition such as appendicitis or kidney stones, or it may be a reaction to a food product that irritates the stomach lining.

Many cases of discomfort are mild and may be alleviated by home remedies for stomach pain.

Using natural and widely available products like herbal teas and probiotic yogurt may offer fast relief without causing the additional pain sometimes triggered by the irritants in shelf medications.

Sudden and severe stomach pain may indicate a serious health condition. If it is accompanied by a fever, breathing difficulty, or bloody vomit, seek immediate medical attention.

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Why Does My Stomach Hurt

There are numerous reasons for abdominal pain. It may be related to digestion, injury, infection or disease. It may come from an organ inside, or from the muscles or skin in your abdominal wall. Or it may have spread from somewhere else nearby.

Your healthcare provider will ask you detailed questions about your pain to determine the cause. How bad it feels doesnt necessarily indicate how serious it is. Some common, transient conditions can be intense, and some life-threatening conditions may feel mild.