Progression Of The Symptoms To Diffuse Abdominal Pain At Night
About 2-3 years later, symptoms gradually reappeared with a difference. Id be waking up in the middle of the night, with mild lower gut pain, but if I moved about and then managed to fart, Id be able to go back to sleep again. These periods of discomfort would last a month or so and then vanish for a period of time before starting up again.
Over the following ten years the frequency of episodes increased, the duration of the episodes increased, and the intensity of the pain increased. This eventually got to the point that normal life was almost impossible owing to the adjustments I had to make to my sleep-waking cycle, the consequences of insomnia and fatigue and all the secondary problems that arise from that.
Luckily I am self-employed. I know that if I were in fulltime employment, Id not be able to maintain that job and would be faced with the situation of being the guy who looks very well, but claims to be ill and unable to work and facing much incomprehension or disbelief from employers, doctors, relatives, and friends. I can imagine such a situation would only compound the problem out from being a simple medical difficulty and into a psycho-social nightmare.
But they never actually listen. It just washes over them, like every time before.
Then there is the other category of person who, knowing little of the reality of your situation, decide that they know exactly what you need to be cured and then wont go away as they take you on as their pet-project.
You May Have A Longer
If you have a stomach ulcer, you may experience more pain when your stomach is empty as well. While antacids can help with this pain, you should consult a doctor if you think you may have a stomach ulcer. Irritable bowel syndrome , on the other hand, is characterized by lower stomach pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, excessive gas, or mucus in the stool. If your stomach pain is also accompanied by any of the aforementioned symptoms, ask your doctor about IBS.
Stomach pain spans a wide umbrella and it could be a symptom of any number of issues. If your stomach pain or discomfort persists, consult your doctor, as it could be an indication that you are dealing with a serious issue such as a pancreatic disease like pancreatitis , Crohns Disease, colitis, diverticulitis, gallstones, Celiac disease, or some other kind of food allergy.
Home Care Tips To Manage Abdominal Pain
If your child experiences abdominal pain with other symptoms, it is advised to visit a healthcare practitioner to identify the cause of abdominal pain. Do not give any over-the-counter medicine to your child without talking to your doctor. However, for mild abdominal pain, you may try the following tips at home to relieve pain .
- Sip water: Keep slowly sipping water or other fluids. Warm liquids may help relieve pain.
- Avoid solid food: Avoid solid food or food that is hard to digest for the first few hours or till you see your doctor.
- Eat specific food items after vomiting: If the teen has been vomiting, then avoid consuming solid food for at least six hours. You may give your child mild food items such as rice, apple juice, or crackers. Do not give your child dairy products.
- Avoid citrus food items during indigestion: If your child is experiencing heartburn or indigestion with pain in the upper part of the abdomen, then avoid citrus, greasy, or fatty foods. You may also avoid tomato products, caffeine, and carbonated drinks.
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Dietary Changes To Reduce Bloating
Eating too many beans, cruciferous vegetables, and legumes may lead to morning bloating, particularly if you consume these foods the night before. Eating smaller meals throughout the day and avoiding eating before bedtime can also help reduce stomach bloating.
Reducing sodium has also been proven to decrease stomach bloating. A 2019 study found that bloating from a high fiber diet may be reduced by cutting down on high sodium foods.
If you suspect a food intolerance, it can be helpful to keep a food diary to share with your doctor. Dont cut out essential nutrients without discussing it with your doctor first.
What To Expect At Your Office Visit
Your provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms and medical history. Your specific symptoms, the location of pain and when it occurs will help your provider detect the cause.
LOCATION OF YOUR PAIN
- Where do you feel the pain?
- Is it all over or in one spot?
- Does the pain move into your back, groin, or down your legs?
TYPE AND INTENSITY OF YOUR PAIN
- Is the pain severe, sharp, or cramping?
- Do you have it all the time, or does it come and go?
- Does the pain wake you up at night?
HISTORY OF YOUR PAIN
- Have you had similar pain in the past? How long has each episode lasted?
- When does the pain occur? For example, after meals or during menstruation?
- What makes the pain worse? For example, eating, stress, or lying down?
- What makes the pain better? For example, drinking milk, having a bowel movement, or taking an antacid?
- What medicines are you taking?
OTHER MEDICAL HISTORY
- Have you had a recent injury?
- Are you pregnant?
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When To See A Healthcare Provider
In the majority of cases, pain in the stomach is nothing to worry about and will often resolve on its own.
However, if you have severe stomach pain that wakes you from sleep, you should speak with your healthcare provider.
You should also call 911 or seek immediate medical help if you have morning stomach pain and you also experience any of the following:
- Are in treatment for cancer
- Have pain in the chest, neck, or shoulders
- Can’t pass stools and are vomiting
- Have blood in your stool
- Are vomiting blood
- Are pregnant or might be pregnant
- Have had recent trauma to the abdomen through an injury
You should also contact your healthcare provider if you have stomach pain and:
- You have diarrhea that lasts longer than five days
- Your pain in your stomach lasts a week or more
- You have bloating that continues for more than two days
- You have pain that doesn’t improve in 24 to 48 hours or it becomes worse or more frequent
- You have a burning feeling when urinating
- You urinate frequently
- You have a fever over 100°F for adults or 100.4°F for children
- You have lost your appetite
- You have unintentional weight loss
About Stomach Pain Or Ache
Stomach pain in children is very often caused by wind and indigestion, neither of which is serious.
A sore tummy might also be a sign of infections like food poisoning, gastroenteritis, pneumonia or urinary tract infections.
Anxiety or stress can cause butterflies in the tummy.
Severe stomach pain might be caused by more serious illnesses like appendicitis or intussusception, which is when part of the intestine slides into or over itself.
Tummy pain that keeps coming back might be associated with constipation, food intolerances or inflammation in the gut.
In adolescent girls, stomach pain can be caused by reproductive issues, including period pain, a twisted ovary and ectopic pregnancy.
Sometimes stomach pain is functional abdominal pain. This means that the stomach is very sensitive, even to the normal movement of food through the digestive system.
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Symptoms Related To Stomach Pain
The symptoms that come with stomach pain depend on whats causing the stomach pain.
For example, if the stomach pain comes with symptoms like loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, the problem could be gastroenteritis or food poisoning.
Stomach cramps and general stomach pain might be associated with food intolerance, excess wind, indigestion and bloating.
Tummy pain that doesnt go away could be constipation or a urinary tract infection. Children with a urinary tract infection might also have pain when doing a wee and be doing more wees than normal. They might also have a fever, be vomiting and feel irritable.
Tummy pain might also be associated with pneumonia or other respiratory infections. In this case, your child will probably also have a fever, cough and possibly a sore throat.
A sore tummy is more likely to be a sign of something serious if it wakes your child up, or if the pain is in a specific area of the abdomen, away from your childs belly button. For example, in appendicitis, the pain is usually sharp, and the pain often starts in the middle then moves to the lower right section of the abdomen. Your child might also have fever, loss of appetite and vomiting.
With all types of stomach pain, theres a risk that your child will become dehydrated. You should watch for signs of dehydration, including sunken eyes, less urination than usual, lethargy and weight loss.
Stomach Pain After Drinking Water At Night
Some people complain about stomach pain when they drink water at night too. This is not as common as people who experience such a symptom in the morning, but still a possibility. There are multiple reasons why a sip of water when you wake up during the night can cause stomach pain. This is often due to the fact that you have an empty stomach at the time.
If you have something to eat just before going to bed, then the problem may rather lie with the overloading of the stomach. Carefully consider when you are eating and drinking before getting into bed. This helps you identify the possible reason for aches in the stomach in this particular scenario.
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Upper Abdominal Pain Between The Ribcage
If you develop an aching or stabbing pain or pressure in the upper abdominal area just under the ribs, this may indicate a heart-related problem. Physicians say this pain is often accompanied by shortness of breath and is concerning if the pain persists. People often assume this type of pain is indigestion, and while that may be the case, anyone with risk factors such as diabetes or hypertension should see a doctor as soon as possible.
If you do struggle with acid reflux, it may be time to talk to a gastroenterologist. They can help you manage your symptoms through medications, lifestyle changes and diet.
Stomach Ache After Drinking Cold Water
During summer, a tall glass of chilled water might seem like a great idea. However, experts usually recommend that you switch to warm water instead. This advice is especially true if you are drinking water after a workout.
Since you generate a lot of body heat when you exercise, drinking chilled water immediately after might shock your digestive tract. Coldwater will also require your body to warm it up before any absorption can take place. This shock can cause your stomach to hurt.
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How Is Indigestion Diagnosed
A healthcare provider will review your medical history, symptoms and lifestyle. Try to explain your indigestion in as much detail as possible. Note the type of discomfort and where you feel it. Also tell your healthcare provider when you experience indigestion. For example, does it occur after a meal or on an empty stomach? Is it worse in the morning or at night? Do certain foods make it worse?
Your healthcare provider will do a physical exam. Theyll check your belly for swelling or tenderness. They may use a stethoscope to check your stomach for growling or gurgling.
Other diagnostic tests may include:
- Blood tests, to assess your liver, kidney and thyroid function.
- Breath test, to check for H pylori.
- Imaging exams, to check for blockages or other problems in the intestines. Imaging exams may include X-ray,CT scan or upper endoscopy.
- Stool test, to check poop for H. pylori or other bacterial infections.
Why Is Your Stomach Upset Every Morning
Waking up with an upset stomach in the morning isn’t the greatest way to start your day. Nearly everyone has experienced an upset stomach from time to time, whether it’s due to indigestion, illness, or just something that you’ve consumed the night before doesn’t agree with you the next day. However, for some people, waking up with an upset stomach is something they have to deal with on a daily basis. For those who have this problem each and every day, they need to know what is causing their symptoms.
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Causes Of Abdominal Pain In Teenagers
Abdominal pain can be caused by a variety of conditions. Minor causes can include food poisoning, constipation, acid reflux, food allergies , irritable bowel syndrome, and stomach flu. The severe causes of pain can include the following .
Causes Of Acute Stomach Pain
- Eating Too Much. Eating too much can cause an upset stomach and mild stomach pain.
- Hunger Pains. Younger children may complain of stomach pain when they are hungry.
- GI Virus . A GI virus can cause stomach cramps as well as vomiting and/or diarrhea.
- Food Poisoning. This causes sudden vomiting and/or diarrhea within hours after eating the bad food. It is caused by toxins from germs growing in foods left out too long. Most often, symptoms go away in less than 24 hours. It often can be treated at home without the need for medical care.
- Constipation. The need to pass a stool may cause cramps in the lower abdomen.
- Strep Throat. A strep throat infection causes 10% of new onset stomach pain with fever.
- Bladder Infection. Bladder infections usually present with painful urination, urgency and bad smelling urine. Sometimes the only symptom is pain in the lower abdomen.
- Appendicitis . Suspect appendicitis if pain is low on the right side and walks bent over. Other signs are the child wonât hop and wants to lie still.
- Intussusception . Sudden attacks of severe pain that switch back and forth with periods of calm. Caused by one segment of bowel telescoping into a lower piece of bowel. Peak age is 6 months to 2 years.
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Common Causes Of Stomach Pain
Harmless abdominal pain usually subsides or goes away within two hours.
- Gas: Formed in the stomach and intestines as your body breaks down food, this can cause general stomach pain and cramps. This often can be indicated by belching or flatulence.
- Bloating: Related to gas, this occurs when excessive gas builds up in your digestive tract. Your stomach will usually 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 nauseous, you may experience cramping and pain in your rectum.
- Indigestion: You typically experience this as an upset stomach, burning, or belly pain after eating.
- Stomach flu: Your stomach may hurt before each episode of vomiting or diarrhea.
Signs That Trouble At School Is Causing Stress
All kids experience stress. But kids who learn and think differently face challenges that can add to that stress level. They may not have the words to describe what theyre feeling or to ask for help.
Common signs that school challenges are causing stress include trouble concentrating, angry outbursts, and avoiding school on test days.
Its also important to talk about the snowball effect. Staying home might seem like a good idea in the short term, but help your child understand why missing school today can make it harder to catch up tomorrow.
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What Is Stomach Pain
One of the worst feelings is to wake up in the middle of the night with a pain in your stomach. Not only does it affect your body, it interrupts your sleep, depriving you of the rest and energy you need to take on the challenges and opportunities of the next day.
Research has shown that individuals with sleep abnormalities are at greater risk of all-cause mortality and serious adverse health and economic consequences.
Stomach pain is common and almost everyone will experience some form of it during their lives. Understanding the pain symptoms you are experiencing can help you identify what is causing them, which can lead to finding an effective remedy to relieve and, ultimately, prevent stomach pain from coming back.
While pain in the stomach can occur anytime, being woken up by stomach pain is not common. If this happens to you, it should be considered serious and you should seek medical attention.
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