In women, it can be associated with menstruation, miscarriage, or reproductive complications. This pain comes and goes, and may go away on its own without treatment. Colicky pain is a symptom of more severe conditions, such as gallstones or kidney stones. This pain occurs suddenly, and may feel like a severe muscle spasm. Mild abdominal pain may go away without treatment. However, in some cases, abdominal pain may warrant a trip to the doctor.
Call if your abdominal pain is severe and associated with trauma from an accident or injury or pressure or pain in your chest. The cause of abdominal pain can be diagnosed through a series of tests. Before ordering tests, your doctor will do a physical examination. This includes gently pressing on various areas of your abdomen to check for tenderness and swelling. This information, combined with the severity of the pain and its location within the abdomen, will help your doctor determine which tests to order.
Imaging tests, such as MRI scans , ultrasounds , and X-rays , are used to view organs, tissues, and other structures in the abdomen in detail. These tests can help diagnose tumors, fractures, ruptures, and inflammation. Blood, urine, and stool samples may also be collected to look for evidence of bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. Not all forms of abdominal pain are preventable.
However, you can minimize the risk of developing abdominal pain by doing the following:. Lying down too soon after eating may cause heartburn and abdominal pain. Fluids — you may have fluids given into a vein to correct fluid loss and rest your bowel. Medicines — for example, you may be given something to stop you vomiting.
Fasting — your doctor may ask you not to eat or drink anything until the cause of your pain is known. 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. Give feedback about this page. Was this page helpful? If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission.
Everyone experiences an upset stomach and indigestion, or dyspepsia, from time to time after eating or drinking. The condition is usually no cause for concern, and it is often possible to treat the symptoms using home remedies.
Common symptoms of an upset stomach and indigestion include:. This article looks at 21 of the most popular home remedies for an upset stomach and indigestion. We also explain when to see a doctor. The body needs water to digest and absorb nutrients from foods and beverages efficiently. Being dehydrated makes digestion more difficult and less effective, which increases the likelihood of an upset stomach.
Around 20 percent of this will come from food, with the rest coming from beverages. For most people, a good figure to aim for is approximately 8 or more cups of water a day.
Younger children require slightly less water than adults. For those with digestive issues, it is imperative to stay hydrated. Vomiting and diarrhea can lead to dehydration very quickly so people with these symptoms should keep drinking water. When the body is horizontal, the acid in the stomach is more likely to travel backward and move upward, which can cause heartburn.
People with an upset stomach should avoid lying down or going to bed for at least a few hours until it passes. Someone who needs to lie down should prop up their head, neck, and upper chest with pillows, ideally at a degree angle.
Ginger is a common natural remedy for an upset stomach and indigestion. Ginger contains chemicals called gingerols and shogaols that can help speed up stomach contractions. This may move foods that are causing indigestion through the stomach more quickly. People with an upset stomach could try adding ginger to their food or drinking it as a tea. Some all-natural ginger ales may also contain enough ginger to settle an upset stomach. Ginger tea is widely available to buy in supermarkets and online.
In addition to sweetening the breath, the menthol in mint may help with the following:. Researchers have found that mint is a traditional treatment for indigestion, gas, and diarrhea in Iran, Pakistan, and India. Raw and cooked mint leaves are both suitable for consumption. Traditionally, people often boil mint leaves with cardamom to make a tea.
It is also possible to powder or juice mint leaves and mix them with other teas, beverages, or foods. Mint leaves are widely available in health stores and online. Sucking on mint candies might be another way to help reduce the pain and discomfort of heartburn. Heat may relax tense muscles and ease indigestion, so taking a warm bath may help to ease the symptoms of an upset stomach. It could also be beneficial to apply a heated bag or pad to the stomach for 20 minutes or until it goes cool.
Heating bags are available to purcahse online. Do you have it all the time, or does it come and go? Does the pain wake you up at night? 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? Are you pregnant? What other symptoms do you have? Tests that may be done include: Barium enema Blood, urine, and stool tests CT scan Colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy tube through the rectum into the colon ECG electrocardiogram or heart tracing Ultrasound of the abdomen Upper endoscopy tube through the mouth into the esophagus, stomach and upper small intestine Upper GI gastrointestinal and small bowel series X-rays of the abdomen.
Alternative Names. Patient Instructions. Gallstones - discharge. Anatomical landmarks adult - front view Abdominal organs Abdominal quadrants Appendicitis Kidney function. Abdominal Pain Read more.
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