What To Take For Upper Stomach Pain

Sharp Jabbing Pain In The Upper Right Abdomen

Possible explanation: gallstones

What is it: The gallbladder stores some of the bile that is used in digestion it combines with digestive juices from the liver and pancreas to break down the partially digested food that has left the stomach and entered the small intestine. The most frequent cause of gallstones is when the liver excretes excess cholesterol that excess cholesterol can collect in the gallbladder and harden into gallstones. The gallbladder sits next to the liver, and it is in this location in the upper right abdomen that sharp pain can be felt when the body attempts to pass the gallstones through the narrow biliary duct.

Treatment: Some people have gallstones without any symptoms at all, but when pain begins, the condition needs to be treated soon. Depending on the severity of the condition, treatments range from oral medication to dissolve the stones to surgery to remove the gallbladder.

When Stomach Pain Is An Emergency

Stomach pain can sometimes be caused by a life-threatening condition. Some examples are:

• Bowel obstruction, which is when food or waste blocks the intestine
• Bowel perforation, which is a hole in the intestine that leaks food material

These emergencies usually cause pain that feels extreme. Your stomach pain may be urgent if:

• You are pregnant
• Your pain started within a week of abdominal surgery
• Your pain started after a procedure in your stomach area, such as an endoscopy
• You have ever had surgery on your digestive tract, such as gastric bypass, a colostomy, or a bowel resection
• Your pain started shortly after an abdominal trauma
• Your abdomen is bruised or rapidly expanding

Even if you don’t have these symptoms, get help if you feel unusually severe pain.

Sometimes stomach pain is mild at first but gets worse after a few hours. You may also develop other symptoms. Get help right away if you have any of these symptoms along with stomach pain:

• Extremely hard abdomen
• Inability to have a bowel movement, along with vomiting
• Pain in neck, shoulder, or between shoulder blades
• Vision changes

If you have these symptoms, call for an ambulance or have someone drive you to the emergency room. You should not “wait and see” or take medicine for the pain. Get help right away.

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

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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:

You’re over 50 years of age

How Is Abdominal Pain Diagnosed

The cause of abdominal pain is diagnosed based on your symptom history, a physical examination, and testing, if needed. Your doctor is likely to ask you questions about the characteristics of your pain, and whether you have any underlying physical or mental health conditions that could be contributing to your abdominal pain.

Questions from your doctor may address the following aspects of your abdominal pain:

• Where its located
• Whether its dull, stabbing, burning, or cramping
• Whether it comes and goes
• When you experience or notice it most
• Whether it radiates outward to other areas of your body
• How long youve had it
• Whether any activities or actions seem to make it worse or better

Your doctor may also ask about your overall health history, any recent injuries, and whether you might be pregnant.

• Blood, urine, or stool tests
• X-ray of the abdomen
• Computerized tomography scan of the abdomen
• Barium enema
• Endoscopic procedures
• Electrocardiogram

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Vague Upper Abdominal Pain Associated With Nausea And Belching

Sometimes stomach pain is hard to identify or comes with multiple symptoms. Vague pain in the upper and mid-abdominal area that is linked to nausea, burping, or belching could be signs of a heart attack, particularly in older patients. Physicians say tests like an ECG or cardiac markers can be lifesaving. They also warn that vomiting with back or jaw pain and shortness of breath can also be a sign of a life-threatening emergency.

Treatment For Right Upper Quadrant Pain

The cause of your pain will determine the kind of treatment you get.

Your doctor will do different tests to determine the cause. This might include a physical examination where they feel and tap your abdomen. This is called palpating.

They will feel your abdomen for masses, if you involuntarily contract your muscles during touch, if the muscles stay tight even when theyâre not being touched, or if you flinch with pain. They will also look for how sensitive you are to touch. If you have these signs, you might have peritonitis.

Your doctor might also do other tests, including:

• Computed tomography scan
• Blood test
• Urine tests

These tests can help look for inflammation and swelling in your organs. Urine tests will help identify kidney stones or infections.

Your doctor will treat you depending on what these tests show. You might receive:

• Antibiotics for infections

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What Is The Medical Treatment For Causes Of Abdominal Pain In Adults

The patient’s treatment will depend on what the doctor thinks is causing the abdominal pain.

The patient may be given IV fluids. The doctor may ask the patient not to eat or drink anything until the cause of the pain is known. This is done to avoid worsening certain medical conditions or to prepare the patient in case they need to have surgery.

The patient may be given pain medication.

• For pain caused by bowel spasm, they may be given a shot in the hip, arm, or leg.
• If the patient is not throwing up, they may receive a drink that has antacid in it or pain medication.
• Although the patient’s pain may not go away completely, they have the right to be comfortable and should ask for pain medicine until they are made comfortable.

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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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.

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.

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What Does It Mean If You Have A Pain In Your Right Side

Common causes of right-sided abdominal pain include: Liver disease, liver cancer, or liver infection. These conditions can cause pain in the right side of your upper abdomen. Upper-right abdominal pain is usually dull and chronic.

Best Upper Stomach Pain Relief Tips For Gastritis And Peptic Ulcer Disease

• Avoid trigger foods such as Fatty foods, spicy foods, fried foods, acidic foods as tomatoes, caffeine, and Citrus fruits. Learn More.
• Use acid-neutralizing drug :Antiacids work instantly to relieve upper stomach pain from gastritis and peptic ulcer. Take them if the pain is severe, or take them premeal.

  However, You cannot use them for long periods due to side effects as diarrhea, kidney stone formation, and others. Learn more.

  Common Antacids that are available OTC:

• Aluminum hydroxide gel
• Calcium carbonate
• Magnesium hydroxide
• Gaviscon, Gelusil, Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids.
• Pepto-Bismol.
• Use H2 blocker:such as Famotidine . Famotidine acts by decreasing stomach acid secretion and relieving the pain. Thus, it is an effective drug for gastritis upper stomach pain.
• Use a PPI :Proton pump inhibitors are the most potent stomach acid inhibitors. They are the most potent pain upper stomach pain reliever. In addition, PPIs can heal stomach ulcers when you take them properly.Ask your doctor about the optimum dose and duration that fits your condition.

  They are available over-the-counter. However, Your doctor is the one who can determine the best dosing and frequency. Long-term use of PPIs can cause more harm than good. Dont over-use any medications without permission from your doctor.

  Examples of Common PPIs to relieve upper stomach pain from gastritis:

• Omeprazole .

• Quit smoking and alocholo.

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When To Call Your Healthcare Provider

Some kinds of stomach pain need immediate attention. With others, you can call or visit your healthcare provider. It can be hard to know what you should do. Listen to your body and trust your instincts if you’re not sure.

If you have any of these symptoms along with stomach pain, call your healthcare provider within a day or two:

• Excessive vaginal bleeding or blood clots
• Vaginal bleeding that lasts for longer than usual

You should also call your healthcare provider if you have stomach pain while you are being treated for cancer.

What Is The Initial Workup And Treatment Of Dyspepsia

An upper endoscopy is indicated if dyspepsia occurs in patients older than 55 years of age or if any of the following alarm features are present:

• Evidence of bleeding from the GI tract
• Anemia
• Unintended weight loss
• Trouble or pain with swallowing
• Persistent vomiting
• Having a relative with stomach cancer
• Previous personal history of esophageal or stomach cancer
• Previous personal history of stomach ulcer
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Unusual mass in the stomach

“If the patient is 55 years or younger, and no alarm features are present, a doctor may consider either testing and treating for a stomach bacteria, called H. pylori, or consider one to two months of treatment with an acid-blocking medication,” explains Dr. Dryer. “If neither of these treatments help, an upper endoscopy might be a reasonable next step.”

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Signs And Symptoms Of Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain may take several different forms. In addition to how severe it is, abdominal pain can be described in the following ways:

Generalized Pain This refers to pain felt in more than half of your abdominal area, and is typical of stomach viruses, indigestion, or gas as the cause of your pain.

Localized Pain This refers to pain felt in just one area of your abdomen, and is typical of a problem with an organ like your stomach, appendix, or gallbladder as the cause of your pain.

Cramping This type of pain come and goes, or changes in its severity or perceived position in your abdomen. Cramping is rarely serious and is typical of gas, passing a stool, or menstruation as the cause of your pain.

Colicky Pain

Its important to call your doctor if your abdominal pain is so severe that you cant move without feeling more pain, or sit still in a comfortable position.

• Fever
• Nausea and vomiting that doesnt resolve
• Weight loss
• Abdomen very tender to touch
• Swollen abdomen

Can Abdominal Pain Be Prevented

Eating enough fibreand doing regular exercise can help prevent constipation and keep your bowels working well, which will prevent some forms of abdominal pain. It will also reduce your long-term risk of some diseases, such as diverticular disease or bowel cancer.

Drinking plain water but not carbonated or fizzy drinks will reduce the chance of pain from bloating as well as keeping your body healthy.

Following a specific diet can help reduce pain due to lactose intolerance, gallstones, irritable bowel syndrome and trapped gas, or wind.

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When To See The Doctor For Abdominal Pain

If upper abdomen pain is mild and infrequent, you may not need to see a doctor. But if pain becomes chronic, severe, or sharp, you should definitely seek out medical advice.

You should also seek medical assistance if you notice the following:

• Yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Swelling or severe tenderness of the abdomen
• Difficulty breathing
• Pain that lasts over 24 hours
• Prolonged constipation

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 6 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 Is Abdominal Pain Treated

The treatment of abdominal pain will depend on its underlying cause.

Mild abdominal pain may go away on its own within hours or days. Mild pain and related symptoms can also often be treated with medicines from the pharmacy. Your pharmacist will be able to advise you on what type of product is best suited to your situation.

You should not use aspirin or anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen, to treat abdominal pain, other than period pain. These medicines may cause or irritate a stomach or bowel problem.

If you are treating mild abdominal pain with a known cause at home:

• use a hot water bottle or warm wheat pack on your abdomen
• eat bland foods when you can start eating again, or as advised by your doctor

Specific treatments, depending on the cause of your abdominal pain, include the following:

Gas Medicines designed to break down gas bubbles, such as antacids containing simethicone, are available over the counter. Gas-reducing medicines such as charcoal products, may help with ongoing wind problems. Dietary changes may also help. An Accredited Practising Dietitian or your doctor can help with dietary advice.

Gastroenteritis This usually only lasts a few days and clears up by itself. Rehydrating by drinking plenty of clear fluids is the most important treatment.

Pain due to muscle spasms Spasms in the wall of the bowel may be eased by antispasmodic medicines. Several are available, so talk to your pharmacist or doctor about which are right for you.

What Kind Of Doctor Treats Abdominal Pain In Adults

Abdominal pain can be treated by a variety of doctors depending on the cause of the pain. It is usually best to start off with a primary care physician who can start the process of diagnosing the origin of the pain. Depending on the final diagnosis you will be treated by a primary care doctor or referred to a surgeon , gastroenterologist, or gynecologist. If the pain is severe you might end up in the emergency department where an emergency medicine physician will be the first one to take care of you.

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Problems Affecting The Bladder And The Uterus

During pregnancy, you might have problems breathing too. The reason is that the baby grows in the uterus. This can increase the pressure in the abdomen. So, this might even cause pain when breathing deeply.

If you have any conditions affecting the bladder, it can cause lower abdominal pain when breathing deeply. These conditions include inflammation, upper urinary tract infection, interstitial cystitis, etc.

What Is Upper Abdominal Pain

Upper abdominal pain is pain that is experienced in the esophagus or stomach. There are many reasons for upper abdominal pain varying in severity. For some, upper abdominal pain is temporary and a rare occasion. For others, it is a chronic experience that can disrupt their daily life. Narrowing down on your upper abdominal pain can help you get a proper diagnosis and receive the proper treatment for reducing your discomfort.

Stomach pain in general is one of the most common reasons for a person to visit their doctor. Upper abdominal pain may be a direct result of a stomach condition, or it can be a symptom of a problem in another organ in the body. Its important to pay close attention to your upper abdominal pain to understand the underlying cause. For example, you should take note of when upper abdominal pain occurs , its frequency, intensity, and any other symptoms that may accompany your upper abdominal pain.

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