See Your Doctor As Soon As Possible If:
- your pain is no better after 2 hours of home care
- your abdomen is very painful
- your pain gets worse over time, or becomes sharper or stronger in one particular place
- your abdomen feels bloated or sticks out more than usual
- you cant stop vomiting
- you havent had a bowel motion or passed wind for 3 days
- youve lost your appetite
- there is blood in your vomit, urine or bowel motion, or vaginal bleeding that isnt a period.
You also need to see your doctor if you have other symptoms along with the pain such as fever or dizziness especially if those symptoms get worse over time or new symptoms develop.
Call Healthline if you are unsure what you should do.
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.
When To Talk To Your Doctor About An Upset Stomach
An upset stomach typically goes away on its own within 48 hours. Sometimes stomach pain indicates a more serious health problem, however. Know when to speak to a healthcare professional for stomach pain.
- Speak to a medical professional if your symptoms do not go away after a day or two.
- If you have other symptoms such as fever, severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or blood in vomit or stool, make an appointment with your doctor.
- Talk to your doctor if you cant keep liquids or foods down, and you notice signs of dehydration.
- Pay attention if you notice a pattern, or you have recurring stomach pain. Maybe you have stomach pain after you eat dairy, or you get an upset stomach after eating pasta with red sauce. Maybe you regularly have an upset stomach but havent noticed a pattern. Discuss your symptoms with your doctor.
Theres no threshold for contacting your primary care provider. If you are worried or uncertain about your symptoms, call your doctors office.
Also Check: How Much Is Sculpsure For The Stomach
Ways To Stop Digestive Discomfort After A Supersized Meal
Overindulgence can be a pain in your stomach. Skip the bellyache after your next big feed with these quick fixes.
Overeating.
Most of us have done it at some point, even with the best of intentions not to.
Sometimes that holiday meal is so delicious we cant stop, or the dessert table is too tempting to ignore.
You feel bloated now, but dont despair: Overdoing it once in a while isnt going to ruin your health, though it can wreak havoc on your digestive system.
How To Handle Your Upset Stomach
An upset stomach does not require medical attention in most cases. Pain or discomfort from an upset stomach is typically acute and will go away on its own, or with home treatment. However, its important to realize that many different things can cause an upset stomach or stomach pain. Be aware of these causes, find out how to treat an upset stomach, and learn when to speak to a medical professional.
Also Check: What Causes Stomach Pain Every Time You Eat
Home Remedies For Abdominal Pain
Getting an accurate medical diagnosis is the first and safest step to relieve abdominal pain, because a doctor or other healthcare provider can perform an exam and order tests to rule out serious causes. However, if you have generalized abdominal pain and suspect it is due to minor gastrointestinal issues, consider these home remedies:
- Baking soda for heartburn
- Ginger to aid digestion and reduce nausea
- Heated compress on your belly for cramp-like pain
- Liquid diet of broth and watered-down, non-caffeinated sports drinks
- Lying reclined on your left side, which can help you pass gas
- Modifying your diet to exclude problem foods, such as dairy products, beans, broccoli, and potential allergens
- Blackstrap molasses for constipation
- Tylenol for pain or fever
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:
Don’t Miss: Does Kidney Failure Cause Stomach Pain
Five Ways To Quit Smoking
Tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke are responsible for more than 480,000 deaths each year in the United States, according to the American Lung Association.
Most people are aware of the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the U.S.
Quitting smoking is not a single event that happens on one day it is a journey. By quitting, you will improve your health and the quality and duration of your life, as well as the lives of those around you.
To quit smoking, you not only need to alter your behavior and cope with the withdrawal symptoms experienced from cutting out nicotine, but you also need to find other ways to manage your moods.
With the right game plan, you can break free from nicotine addiction and kick the habit for good. Here are five ways to tackle smoking cessation.
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.
Don’t Miss: How To Lessen Stomach Fat
What Is A Bloated Stomach
A bloated stomach is first and foremost a feeling of tightness, pressure or fullness in your belly. It may or may not be accompanied by a visibly distended abdomen. The feeling can range from mildly uncomfortable to intensely painful. It usually goes away after a while, but for some people, its a recurring problem. Digestive issues and hormone fluctuations can cause cyclical bloating. If your bloated stomach doesnt go away, you should seek medical care to determine the cause.
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.
Also Check: Why Is My Stomach Protruding
Drink Warm Lemon Water To Relieve Stomach Pain
Since pregnant women should avoid fennel, they can try warm lemon water instead. The high acidity of the lemon will trigger extra production of your stomachs hydrochloric acid to further break down food and keep things moving smoothly.
- Squeeze the juice from one-half of a lemon into one cup of warm water.
- Mix well and drink while warm.
How Long Does A Bloated Stomach Last
If your bloating is due to something you ate or drank or to hormone fluctuations, it should begin to ease within a few hours to days. If you are constipated, it wont go down until you start pooping. Water, exercise and herbal teas can help encourage all of these things along. If it doesnt go away or gets worse, seek medical attention.
Recommended Reading: Why Would My Stomach Be Bloated And Hard
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.
Related Conditions Of Abdominal Pain
Some of the most common conditions associated with abdominal pain include the following:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome This condition is characterized by symptoms like diarrhea, constipation, and bloating.
Constipation If you arent having regular bowel movements, you may feel bloated and full and experience sharp gas pains in your abdomen.
Peptic Ulcer When a sore develops in the lining of your stomach or upper small intestine, you may experience a burning sensation similar to hunger pangs, along with nausea, vomiting, or heartburn.
Pancreatitis Inflammation of your pancreas may cause sharp, severe pain in the upper middle area of your abdomen, along with nausea, vomiting, or fever. This condition can be either acute or chronic.
Diverticulitis
Recommended Reading: What Can I Do To Get Rid Of Stomach Fat
How To Correct Mechanical Abdomen Issues
Structural Care
Suffering from digestive issues can be both painful and frustrating. Often, people will turn to medication in an attempt to find relief. However, drugs only mask the symptoms and do not address the underlying cause of the problem. If you are looking for a more holistic approach to treatment, you may want to consider seeing a Chiropractor or Osteopath.
These practitioners are trained to improve spinal column alignment, reducing pressure on nerves, joints, and muscles. This, in turn, can restore normal function to the digestive system. These practitioners use two standard techniques: manipulation and mobilization . In addition, your treatment plan may also include massage therapy and other therapeutic approaches such as non-surgical spinal decompression. By addressing the root cause of the problem, you may find lasting relief from your digestive issues.
Check Your Sitting Posture
The following is a list of tips for reducing stomach discomfort when seated. It comes from my experience as an orthopedic doctor and ergonomic adviser who has helped people with similar problems worldwide!
Get Your Seat Angle Right
When sitting, make sure your hips are higher than your knees. Suppose there is insufficient blood flow from pooling to the rest of our body due to less pressure on them . In that case, adverse health effects like increased abdominal fat storage and lower extremities becoming inflamed and swollen!
Keep Moving
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 whos 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 .
Recommended Reading: How To Get Rid Of Dark Stomach Hair
What Can Cause Abdominal Pain
Because the abdomen is home to various organs, a wide variety of problems can cause pain. The discomfort can also originate from neighboring areas, such as the chest and pelvis.
The location, pattern, and duration of the pain are valuable in determining the potential cause. Common causes for abdominal pain include:
- Gastric issues
How To Get Rid Of A Stomach Ache After Eating
Have you ever eaten so much that your stomach aches? Or, maybe youâve eaten something specific that causes tummy troubles. Weâve all been there. For the most part, your stomach hurting after overeating is pretty normal and will pass with time. But, if you need to get rid of an upset stomach that just wonât be calmed, weâve got you covered.
Also Check: What Type Of Bed Is Best For Stomach Sleepers
Fennel Seeds To Relieve Stomachache
The phrase volatile oil is not normally associated with relieving stomach pain, but thats just what anethole, found in fennel seeds, can do. Anethole will stimulate the production of digestive juices, which, if you have indigestion, can be just the thing to provide natural pain relief for inflammation of the stomach.
Pregnant women, however, should not use fennel seeds.
- Chew on one-half to one teaspoon of fennel seeds after each meal.
- Or, add one teaspoon of crushed fennel seeds to one cup of boiled water. Steep for eight to 10 minutes before straining tea. Add a dab of honey for taste. Drink tea after each meal.
Can Stomachaches Be Prevented
Not all belly pain can be prevented. But to help avoid common types of stomachaches:
- Wash your hands before eating or preparing food, and after using the bathroom.
- Don’t overeat, and try not to eat right before going to sleep.
- Drink plenty of water and eat fiber-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables, to keep food moving through your digestive system.
- Avoid foods that have passed their expiration date or or weren’t stored properly.
- If you have a food allergy or intolerance, avoid eating foods that make you sick. If you have a food allergy, always carry two epinephrine auto-injectors, and know when you should use them.
You May Like: How Long Does It Take To Lose Your Stomach
Stomach Pain In Children
Stomach pains are common in children. Causes include indigestion, stress, or more serious cases like appendicitis. Stomach pain of three hours or less is usually not serious. With a fever of 100.4F, or other symptoms such as diarrhea that could lead to dehydration, call your healthcare provider right away.
When Should I Call The Doctor
Sometimes, what seems like one problem food poisoning, for example can turn out to be something more serious, like appendicitis.
- the pain is very strong
- you’re vomiting a lot
- you already have another health condition
- the pain gets worse over time, doesn’t go away, or wakes you up from sleep
Also let the doctor know if you:
- have a fever
- have pain when you pee
- have trouble pooping or peeing
- have blood in your poop or pee
- think the belly pain is from an injury
- might be pregnant
You May Like: What Is Good For Acid In Your Stomach
How To Reduce Stomach Pains
If you love carbonated drinks, consider the following tips to help avoid the discomfort:
- Skip the straw. Mechanically, people inadvertentlyswallow a certain amount of air when they sip through straws,says Dr. Cohn. Therefore, sipping carbonated beverages through straws cancertainly make gas pains worse.
- Slow down.Drink slowly , he says.Small studies have shown that special training in diaphragmatic breathingtechniques can reduce symptoms.
- Take gas meds.Anti-foaming agents such as Gas-X or probiotics have been shown to provide some relief in certainpatients as well, says Dr. Cohn.
However, if youre looking to get rid of stomach pains associated with carbonation, the only real way is to minimize your intake.
There is no cure for excess gas intake apart from behavioral changes whether that be cutting down on carbonated beverages or avoiding straws, says Dr. Cohn. But if you notice increased gas or stomach pains after decreasing your intake, it may be time to see a doctor.
Weight loss, abdominal pain, trouble swallowing, heartburn and regurgitation are typically indications for further diagnostic testing, says Dr. Cohn.
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:
- Diverticulitis
- Inflammatory bowel disease
Read Also: What Foods Soothe The Stomach
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