What Can You Take For Stomach Cramps

Where Is The Pain

Doctors and other health professionals will first ask you where you feel the pain. Pain above the umbilicus but below the ribcage on the right may be gallstone pain. Gallstone pain may spread to the right shoulder or the back.

Pain from kidney stones is felt in the right side or left side, more in the back than the front of the abdomen, and tends to radiate downwards into the groin on the same side.

Pain in the very centre of the abdomen is more likely to be coming from the intestines, however in males, testicular pain is also felt in the centre of the abdomen.

Stomach Cramps With Bloating

Stomach cramps with bloating are often caused by trapped wind, or constipation. This is a very common problem that can be embarrassing, but is easily dealt with. Your pharmacist will be able to recommend a product, which can be bought over the counter to treat the problem. If problems persist, you should see your GP.

Home Remedies For Stomach Cramps

There are several home remedies that are readily available in the kitchen. They are:

• Potato juice: Have potato juice pre-meal thrice a day to cure your problem of stomach gas
• Charcoal: Having a charcoal tablet before and after your meals which will greatly help in reducing the issues of acidity and gas
• Turmeric: Have turmeric mixed with milk everyday to get the desired results
• Ginger: Ginger is good for treating gastric problem as well as indigestion
• Baking soda: It works as an effective antacid and gives instant relief when you have it mixed with water on an empty stomach
• Apple cider vinegar

Don’t Miss: Does Depression Cause Stomach Issues

Sudden Stomach Cramps With Diarrhoea

If your stomach cramps have started recently and you also have diarrhoea, the cause may be a tummy bug . This means you have a viral or bacterial infection of the stomach and bowel. It should get better without treatment after a few days.

Gastroenteritis may be caused by:

• coming into close contact with someone whoâs infected
• eating contaminated food

If you have repeated bouts of stomach cramps and diarrhoea, you may have a long-term condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome .

Taking Care Of Yourself At Home

Most abdominal pain goes away without special treatment. Be guided by your doctor, but there are some things you can do to help ease the pain, including:

• Place a hot water bottle or heated wheat bag on your abdomen.
• Soak in a warm bath. Take care not to scald yourself.
• Drink plenty of clear fluids such as water.
• Reduce your intake of coffee, tea and alcohol as these can make the pain worse.
• When you are allowed to eat again, start with clear liquids, then progress to bland foods such as crackers, rice, bananas or toast. Your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Try over-the-counter antacids, to help reduce some types of pain.
• Take mild painkillers such as paracetamol. Please check the packet for the right dose. Avoid aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs unless advised to take them by a doctor. These drugs can make some types of abdominal pain worse.

Read Also: Do Stomach Ulcers Cause Headaches

Symptoms Of Stomach Cramps

The symptoms of stomach cramps usually depend on the underlying conditions and causes of stomach cramps. Common symptoms of stomach cramps are nausea and vomiting, painful urination, constipation and muscular pain throughout the body. The symptoms of stomach cramps are often related to eating food and pain is felt during or after eating. Sudden crampy stomach pain is sometimes felt after eating particular food items and may also be related to intolerance.

Also Check: How Much Is Stomach Tuck

What Does Abdominal Pain Location Tell You

Location is an important clue to your abdominal pain, though its not the only factor. It may indicate which organs are involved. For example, pain in the upper right quadrant may indicate a problem with your liver or gallbladder.

However, your healthcare provider will also want to know more about what your pain feels like, how often you feel it, and how severe it is. This will give them additional clues about what kind of condition you may have.

Don’t Miss: What Can You Eat To Lose Stomach Fat

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.

How To Relax When You Have Cramps In Stomach

Cramps are uncomfortable spasms that cause extreme pain in your stomach. It is very common to have cramps in the stomach, especially after a meal. However, this is just a normal reaction to food. As you digest, the food is mixed with bile that goes through your stomach and causes cramps. Over the years, your body may also be unable to cope with the bile and other digestive acids. This can cause cramps to worsen. When this happens, it is normal to feel more discomfort and to experience muscle spasms. There are many factors that can cause these symptoms, including the timing of meals, recent meals, what you eat, your levels of stress and other medications. All of these things can cause you to experience cramps in your stomach. In addition to medications, your diet can also have an impact on your body.

Recommended Reading: What To Feed Puppy With Sensitive Stomach

How To Get Rid Of Stomach Cramps At Home

Learn how to treat stomach cramps at home with these 12 home remedies for abdominal pain. Get rid of abdominal cramps in no time!

Sometimes a bad case of stomach cramps can seem like the worst situation in the world for men and women alike. Whether you are suffering from indigestion, diarrhea, pregnancy aches, constipation, or menstrual cramps during your period in the early morning or at night, their resulting symptoms can cause mild to severe pain and a highly uncomfortable experience.

How Is The Cause Of The Abdominal Pain Diagnosed

Physical Examination

Physical examination will include a careful examination of the patientâs abdomen, heart, and lungs in order to pinpoint the source of the pain.

• The doctor will touch different parts of the abdomen to check for tenderness or other signs that indicate the source of the pain.
• The doctor may do a rectal exam to check for small amounts of blood in the stool or other problems, such as a mass or internal hemorrhoids.
• If the patient is a woman, the doctor may do a pelvic exam to check for problems in the uterus, Fallopian tubes, and ovaries.
• The doctor also may look at the patientâs eyes for yellow discoloration and in the mouth to be sure the patient is not dehydrated.

Laboratory Tests

Laboratory tests may or may not help to determine the cause of the abdominal pain. Combined with the information gained from the questions the patient was asked and the physical examination performed by the doctor, certain blood or urine tests may be ordered and could assist in determining the diagnosis.

Radiology Tests

Radiology studies of the patientâs abdomen can be useful, but are not always necessary or helpful.

• Occasionally, an X-ray will show air outside of the bowel, meaning that something has ruptured or perforated.
• An X-ray also can help diagnose bowel obstruction.
• Sometimes X-rays can show a kidney stone.

Ultrasound is a painless procedure useful in finding some causes of abdominal pain.

Read Also: How To Cure Stomach Ache For Kids

Conditions That Cause Severe Abdominal Pain

Appendicitis: This illness happens when the appendix, which is part of the large intestine, becomes infected and inflamed. If the appendix ruptures, it can become life-threatening. Surgery to remove the appendix, called an appendectomy, is the usual treatment.

Stomach ulcers: Crater-like sores in the lining of the stomach and small intestine. They can bleed or burst and be life-threatening if not treated. Medication to reduce your stomach acid can help treat them.

Gallstones: Hard stones, made up of cholesterol and other materials, can form in the gallbladder, which is just below the liver. They can cause inflammation of the gallbladder, which can lead to inflammation known as acute cholecystitis. Treatment for these problems includes removal of the gallbladder.

Kidney stones: Crystals of varying sizes that form in your urine can build up in your kidneys and cause severe pain. You can pass some on your own through urination, or doctors may remove them surgically.

Inflammatory bowel disease : A chronic inflammation in the digestive tract that can cause severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and rectal bleeding. Examples of IBD include Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis.

Pancreatitis: The pancreas produces insulin and glucagon the two hormones that manage how your body processes sugar and aids in digestion. Inflammation of the pancreas is called pancreatitis, which can affect its performance and cause severe stomach pain.

Gastrointestinal Stomach Cramps Causes

You may experience stomach cramps directly related to the functioning of your gastrointestinal system.

• Gas: You may feel relief from uncomfortable bloating caused by gas when it leaves your body.
• Constipation: Without regular bowel movements, you can quickly feel backed up and as if your stomach is distended or sticking out.
• Stomach ulcers: These painful sores in the lining of the stomach, also known as peptic ulcers, are often caused by bacteria.
• Functional abdominal pain: This is a common kind of pain that is not caused by a physical problem with the organs in the belly. This condition is also known as centrally mediated abdominal pain syndrome , and treatment options are mainly supportive.
• Inflammatory bowel disease: Excess inflammation in your intestines is painful and may come with joint pains or rashes and often diarrhea or bowel movements with blood.

Also Check: How To Lose Weight On Stomach And Hips

How To Take Care Of Yourself When You Have Stomach Cramps

Stomach cramps are painful contractions of the stomach muscles, and can range from mild to extremely painful. They usually occur in the morning and, if you have them, dont forget to take a painkiller with you as soon as you feel them.If you have a muscle cramp, you may be able to relieve it by relaxing the stomach muscle by lying down and pushing up with your hands on a hard surface, but you shouldnt try to force yourself to make any motions, such as doing your daily chores. Eating a salty snack may also help ease the pain. If a cramp lasts longer than an hour, contact your doctor.

Types Of Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain can feel completely different based upon the underlying issue. You may experience discomfort in your abdomen that feels sharp, dull, burning hot, crampy, or achy, among others.

Though there are many ways to characterize abdominal pain, it can be classified into two main types: neuropathic or nociceptive.

Read Also: What Can I Do To Tighten My Stomach

Don’t Miss: What To Take For Stomach Issues

What Causes Abdominal Pain In Children

Common causes of abdominal pain in children include:

• gastroenteritis
• trapped wind
• lower urinary tract problems, such as cystitis

Most abdominal pain is mild and will go away without treatment after a few days. However, your child should see a doctor if the pain is severe or doesnt go away, especially when they also have other symptoms, such as a fever. In this case, you should ensure they are monitored closely and they may need further medical assessment.

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.

You May Like: How To Manscape Your Chest And Stomach

Causes Of Stomach Pain Based On Location

• Upper right: Gallstones, cholecystitis, stomach ulcer, duodenal ulcer, hepatitis.
• Upper center: Heartburn/indigestion, hiatal hernia, epigastric hernia, stomach ulcer, duodenal ulcer, hepatitis.
• Upper left: Functional dyspepsia, stomach ulcer, gastritis, pancreatitis.
• Middle right: Kidney stones, kidney infection, inflammatory bowel disease , constipation.
• Middle center: Umbilical hernia, appendicitis, stomach ulcer, IBD, pancreatitis.
• Middle left: Kidney stones, kidney infection, IBD, constipation.
• Lower right: Appendicitis, IBD, constipation, pelvic pain.
• Lower center: Bladder infection, prostatitis, IBD, inguinal hernia, pelvic pain.
• Lower left: Constipation, diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome, IBD, pelvic pain, inguinal hernia.

When to Seek Medical Help

According to Dr. Kingsley, you should call your primary care physician if mild pain lasts more than a couple of days, or if the severe stomach pain is accompanied by other symptoms.

When to seek immediate medical attention

Get medical help immediately if:

• You have abdominal pain that is very sharp, severe, and sudden.
• You also have pain in the chest, neck, or shoulder.
• Youre vomiting blood, have bloody diarrhea, or have black, tarry stools .
• You have a high fever.
• Youre having difficulty breathing.
• You develop consistent nausea and/or vomiting.
• Your abdomen is stiff, hard, and tender to the touch.
• You cant move your bowels, especially if youre also vomiting.

When to make an appointment to see your doctor

You Got Into The Bag Of Sugar Free Candies

Sugar free candies may seem like a good idea, especially if you are trying to cut back on sugar while still getting to enjoy the sweetness they provide. However, these candies are typically sweetened with a sugar alcohols like sorbitol which is notorious for causing bloating, cramping and yes, even rampant diarrhea.

Read Also: Does Stomach Cancer Cause Back Pain

Cautions With Other Medicines

Some medicines and Buscopan can affect each other and increase the chances of you having side effects.

Do not take Buscopan at the same time as some motion sickness medicines, such as domperidone and metoclopramide.

This is because they can cancel each other out and stop each other from working. Metoclopramide and domperidone increase the movement of the gut, whereas Buscopan reduces it.

Some medicines increase the risk of side effects if you take them at the same time as Buscopan, including:

• amantadine
• quinidine or disopyramide
• some inhaled asthma medicines, including salbutamol, ipratropium and tiotropium

Do not take Buscopan together with other irritable bowel syndrome remedies, as they work in the same way. Youâre unlikely to get extra relief for your symptoms, and it may cause more side effects. Take only one IBS remedy, unless your doctor tells you to take more than one.

Pain Reliever For Stomach Cramps

If you wake up in the middle of the night with stomach cramps, this is not a usual occurrence. These cramps are caused by indigestion and most likely due to eating too much food or something else. It is important to note that there is no specific cure for stomach cramps. You should consult your doctor in case they persist. Some simple ways to relieve stomach cramps include drinking a glass of water or eating some ice cubes. Stomach cramps can also be caused by heartburn or indigestion. If you get stomach cramps frequently or cant sleep because of them, then you need to consult your doctor. He or she will tell you what to do to help get relief.

Don’t Miss: How To Treat High Acid In Stomach

Who Is Eligible For The Treatment

If you are noticing the following symptoms during stomach cramps then you need to take proper medical treatment for it.

• Acute pain in your abdominal area lasting for more than 1 day.
• When you are suffering from pelvic inflammatory disease.
• Pain accompanied by diarrhea or constipation.
• Chronic pain in the upper right side of the abdominal area.

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.

Recommended Reading: Why Is My Stomach Hurting When I Eat