When The Bottom Of Your Stomach Hurts

How Do You Relieve Abdominal Pain

Abdominal Pain Assessment Figuring Out Your Abdominal Pain Dr.Berg

Stomach pain has a wide variety of causes and treatments. Some conditions, such as gallstones or appendicitis, may require surgery. Others, such as ulcers or infections, may be eased with medicine. And sometimes you may just have to get through a bout of stomach flu or a kidney stone until it passes.

If you dont know whats causing your abdominal pain, its important to find out, especially if it doesnt go away on its own. Remember that even mild cases can be serious. However, if you have a pretty good idea that your stomachache is related to digestion, you can begin by treating yourself with:

Bowel rest. Stop eating, or only eat easy-to-digest foods like crackers or bananas.
Hydration. Drink plenty of water or a hydration formula.
Heat therapy. Try a warm water bottle or a soak in the bath.
Home remedies. Try licorice for gas, ginger for indigestion, or peppermint to help relax your intestinal muscles.

When To Contact A Medical Professional

Get medical help right away or call your local emergency number if you:

Are currently being treated for cancer
Are unable to pass stool, especially if you are also vomiting
Are vomiting blood or have blood in your stool
Have chest, neck, or shoulder pain
Have sudden, sharp abdominal pain
Have pain in, or between, your shoulder blades with nausea
Have tenderness in your belly, or your belly is rigid and hard to the touch
Are pregnant or could be pregnant
Had a recent injury to your abdomen
Have difficulty breathing

When To Call Your Doctor

History of heart problems In case of abdominal pain, particularly if the pain arises in the stomach, people with a history of heart disease should immediately go for medical help.

History of diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol History of these chronic diseases demands medical attention.

Acute pain Sudden Acute pain might indicate a more serious condition, such as a gallbladder attack or appendicitis. Both of these organs are located on your right side.

If youre experiencing symptoms like the ones below, visit the emergency room:

Chest pain, pressure or shortness of breath.
Extreme stomach pain that continues to get worse.
Stomach pain that releases to your back.
Abdominal areas that feels hard or tender to the touch.
Vomiting or coughing up blood.
Blood in stools .
Symbols of extreme dehydration Severe dehydration occur due to stomach flu.
Lesser urine output or darker colour urine which defines that you are losing more liquid than you are taking in are the signs of dehydration
Feeling woozy upon standing up and a rapid heart rate is also tell-tale signs of dehydration. If you are incapable to preserve fluids down for at least ten minutes, you may need to visit the ED to receive intravenous fluids.

What Is The Outlook

Again this depends entirely on the cause of the pain. Some conditions settle very quickly on their own , or with the help of antibiotics . Others can be cured with surgery, such as torsion of the testis. Some are long-term conditions, for which there is no cure, although there are treatments, such as those used for people who have Crohns disease. Your doctor should be able to give you an idea of the outlook once a diagnosis has become clear.

Signs Your Abdominal Pain May Be Serious

Stomach Pain Locations Chart for the NCLEX

Itâs quite common to get a little stomach ache after eating a big meal or taking a tumble around in a roller-coaster. But there are times where these abdominal pains are highly painful. Our stomach can tell us a lot about our health. Many underlying medical conditions can cause pain to our stomachs. Therefore, certain abdominal pains should not be ignored.

Jenny Hills, Nutritionist and Medical Writer Health

Any kind of acute or chronic pain in the left side of your chest or the left side of the abdomen can be a cause for concern. The left side of your upper body contains many vital organs like your heart, left lung, spleen, pancreas, part of your liver and stomach. Infection, disease, or blocked arteries can cause pain ranging from mild discomfort to sharp, stabbing pains in the left side of your body.

Pain on the left side of your body isnt always cardiac-related or connected with an organ. Sometimes, stress or anxiety attacks can be a cause of the pain that may feel like you are having a heart attack. But you should never ignore any kind of pain in your chest or abdomen as it can be a sign of a serious condition.

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Lower Left Abdominal Pain

Pain in the lower left abdomen is commonly no cause for concern, but one shouldnt ignore it. Some signs of pain in the lower left abdomen maybe not be very strong and gentle, such as gas pain or constipation. It can also be more serious, as in the case of an infection, diverticulitis, endometriosis etc. To understand the cause of abdominal pain for better treatment, it is necessary to determine what kind of pain youre suffering.

Type of pains can help in determining the possible cause. Moderate pain can be from common causes like gas, constipation, menstruation pains etc. Similarly, severe pain can be from infections, kidney stones or any underlying diseases which needs urgent medical care.

In rare events, pain on the left side of the abdomen can also be a sign of a heart attack. Although, there are accompanied by other symptoms like chest pain that spreads to the stomach, nausea, tingling in the arms etc.

Diagnosing Abdominal Swelling And Bloating

Often, abdominal bloating is non-specific in location, and pain can radiate from its source to another area. Because abdominal swelling and bloating have many causes, the diagnosis often has to be speedy. This can help you get prompt treatment for certain serious causessuch as bowel obstruction or appendicitis.

The first thing your healthcare providers will do in assessing your abdominal bloating and swelling is take your medical history and perform a physical examination. You will be asked about the duration, pattern, and location of your pain, as well as any associated symptoms you are experiencing and whether anything makes it better or worse.

Your physical examination includes an assessment of whether you are in distress, your temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and breathing rate.

Your provider will examine you to determine whether you have a specific location of pain or swelling. For example, a sense of bloating in the upper abdominal area could be associated with a peptic ulcer, while swelling in the lower abdomen on one side is more likely to be associated with an ovarian cyst.

Diagnostic tests can include:

Additional tests may include minimally invasive tests. During an endoscopy, a tube is placed into the throat, and during a colonoscopy, a tube is placed in the colon so your doctor can view areas of potential disease.

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When Should You Be Concerned About Abdominal Pain

01|18|2019

Abdominal pain is common, and everyone experiences it at times. In fact, it is the most common reason people are evaluated in most emergency rooms. While most abdominal pain resolves on its own, it can represent something serious or even deadly.

So, how can one know when to be concerned? Below are some characteristics that can help a person decide when evaluation is necessary.

Pain In The Middle Of The Stomach Should Be A Concern

How to Know if Stomach Pain is Serious

While mild pain in the middle of the stomach may be treated easily, it should be observed. From inflammatory bowel disease to pancreatic disorders, there are plenty of possibilities for the mid-abdominal pain to be a warning sign of a serious issue. Knowing the anatomy of the abdomen and related organs may help you identify the cause. If the pain goes away and does not return, it may have been nothing serious. But if its a pain that reoccurs or worsens, its best to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

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Sudden And Severe Onset Stomach Pain

When mid-abdominal pain occurs suddenly especially in people with a history of peptic ulcer disease or in those who take excessive amounts of aspirin or NSAIDs it may be a sign of a perforation that could require emergency surgery. A tear could leak air and gastric content which can lead to a condition called peritonitis, and eventually, septic shock. Surgery would be required to seal the perforation.

If youre experiencing chronic stomach pain, take steps now to head off any bigger problems down the road. Your primary care provider can help get to the bottom of whats causing your issues and create a plan to help improve your gut health. Your plan may include medication, lifestyle changes, a healthier diet and stress management techniques.

7. Right or left lower abdominal pain in women

Sudden onset of right lower abdominal pain or left lower abdominal pain can indicate a ruptured ovarian cyst in a woman who is in the middle of her menstrual cycle. This kind of pain could also be a sign of ovarian torsion, which is the rotation of the ovary and part of the fallopian tube, or possibly a twisting of the ovary due to reduced blood supply. Seek treatment immediately at the nearest emergency department. Surgery to remove the ovary may be required.

Causes Of Continuous Sneezing

Sneezing can be caused due to a lot of different reasons. But the two most important reasons why people tend to sneeze continuously are allergies and flu.

Allergies One of the common symptoms of allergy is sneezing. Those who are allergic to particular things will continue to experience the symptoms of allergy even when they are pregnant. Allergies can be of various types like dust, pollen, pet dander, seasonal allergy etc. Sometimes sneezing because of allergies can also result in respiratory problems like asthma. The sneeze can be intense and result in significant pain in the lower abdomen if it happens constantly.

Cold and Flu throughout the year many people suffer from cold and flu in different seasons of the year. Cold and flu, even though can be cured easily with the help of medicines and effective diagnosis, it can cause serious coughing and sneezing. So when a person is sneezing almost all day, his or her muscles tend to get weak and therefore they will experience pain in the abdomen.

Here are the two most common reasons because of which people constantly sneeze and as a result, they face different issues including pain in the abdomen. Now let us have a look at how to treat sneezing if it is happening continuously.

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How Pelvic Pain Is Treated

Because pelvic pain has so many potential causes, its treatment is highly variable. Conditions caused by bacterial infection, such as UTIs and certain STIs, can be treated with antibiotics. Other conditions such as cancer or fibroids may be treated with medication, surgery, or both. Conditions such as appendicitis and ectopic pregnancy require emergency surgery.

Depending on the cause, chronic pelvic pain may also respond to physical therapy and pelvic floor exercises. If you have chronic pelvic pain, you may also benefit from speaking to a psychologist or psychiatrist.

What Causes Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain is frequently caused by a problem in the digestive tract . However, it can also be caused by other organs located in the abdomen, such as the kidneys. Large blood vessels, such as the aorta are also found in the abdomen and may give rise to pain. Abdominal pain can even be caused by some medicines.

Causes of abdominal pain connected to the gut include:

trapped wind or indigestion
gallstones, gallbladder problems, liver problems

medicines to help manage the symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease

Some of the causes of abdominal pain are short-term , whereas others are long-term or ongoing conditions. Find more information about the underlying causes of abdominal pain here.

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Warning Signs To See A Gynecologist Concerning Your Pelvic Pain

If you cannot rule out any ‘other causes’ for dyspareunia, including emotional trauma, chronic stress, sexual position, and vaginal dryness, you may need help from a gynecologist.

Considering the wide range of problems that revolve around painful intercourse, your gynecologist will be able to seek diagnosis and treatment.

If your gynecologist does not find any issues regarding your reproductive system or pain, seek advice from a vascular doctor.

Warning signs include:

Pain is too severe to have sex
You cannot become aroused out of fear of the pain returning
The pain disrupts your daily activities
Pain is almost unbearable during your menstrual cycle
It is accompanied by other symptoms

Treating Pelvic Pain At Home

Many causes of pelvic pain are best treated under the guidance of a healthcare provider. This is why its important to see your healthcare provider if you have unresolved pelvic pain of any kind.

There are things you can also do at home to help relieve chronic pelvic pain. Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Advil can help reduce inflammation and ease pain. Heating pads can be effective at relieving pain as well.

Exercising or practicing yoga can also increase blood flow and help manage the stress and tension that could be contributing to your pain.

Is It Normal To Have Back Pain And Stomach Pain

Generally, simultaneous occurrences of stomach and back pain are relatively non-threatening and can be naturally remediated at home. However, there are some causes for concern, especially if the pain recurs often or simply does not subside. Some additional symptoms might indicate something more serious is going on.

What would cause lower abdominal pain in a male?

When men experience lower abdominal pain Lower abdominal pain in men could be due to general or male-specific conditions. Pain around the belly button may indicate early appendicitis or stomach ulcers, while pain just above the pubic bone may point to bladder or testicular issues or prostatitis.

Ovulation Pain Or Midcycle Spotting

Quickly Stop Stomach Aches/Pain Self Massage

Mittelschmerz is a German word that translates as “middle pain.” It refers to the normal discomfort sometimes felt by women during ovulation, which is at the midpoint of the menstrual cycle.

Each month, one of the two ovaries forms a follicle that holds an egg cell. The pain occurs when the follicle ruptures and releases the egg.

This is a dull, cramping sensation that may begin suddenly in only one side of the lower abdomen. In a few cases, there may be vaginal spotting. Mittelschmerz occurs about 14 days before the start of the next menstrual period.

Actual Mittelschmerz is not associated with nausea, vomiting, fever, or severe pelvic pain. These symptoms should be evaluated by a medical provider since they can indicate a more serious condition.

Diagnosis is made through patient history.

Treatment requires only over-the-counter, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve the pain. An oral contraceptive will stop the symptoms, since it also stops ovulation.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: abdominal pain , last period approximately 2 weeks ago, vaginal bleeding, bloody vaginal discharge, pelvis pain

Symptoms that always occur with ovulation pain or midcycle spotting: last period approximately 2 weeks ago

Urgency: Self-treatment

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Diet Eating Habits And Food Intolerances

Overeating can cause you to feel bloated, and some foods are much more likely to do this than others. Eating too much can cause bloating or expansion of the stomach. Swallowing air from eating too quickly or from chewing gum can also cause bloating.

Several types of foods can cause some people to have excessive gas. Fatty foods and a variety of healthy foods such as cruciferous vegetables , beans, some fruits , dairy products, alcohol, and carbonated beverages.

Abdominal bloating is a hallmark symptom of gluten intolerance, lactose intolerance, and celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder where gluten triggers an immune response that affects the small intestines.

For some people, gaining weight can lead to bloating and a sense that the stomach is always “full” or swollen. Often, weight gain causes previously comfortable clothes to feel tight on the abdomen. Being overweight or obese is also a risk factor for heartburn.

When Should I See My Healthcare Provider About My Abdominal Pain

Always see your doctor if your pain is unexplained, persistent or severe, or if you have been injured or are pregnant.

Also, see your doctor if your pain is accompanied by any of these symptoms:

Persistent fever.
Pain in any other part of your body.
Shortness of breath or symptoms that get worse with exertion.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

So many things can cause abdominal pain that its inevitable well all experience it from time to time. Common causes, such as gas and indigestion, menstrual cramps, or even food poisoning and the flu may be instantly recognizable. Other causes may be more mysterious. And sometimes stomach pain is a sign of an unsuspected or serious condition.

Your healthcare provider will always be interested in your abdominal pain, especially if its unexplained. Common causes are often easy to treat, and having your condition diagnosed can help you find relief. Even if your stomach pain is mild, make sure you see your healthcare provider if it doesnt go away, keeps coming back or gets worse.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 04/18/2022.

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