How to Get Rid of Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain is a symptom of a variety of ailments: a stomach virus, menstrual cramping, indigestion, dyspepsia or food intolerances 1. MedlinePlus reports that abdominal pain is typically not serious, and is often treatable with self-care methods 1. However, if pain persists for more than a day, is severe or accompanied by other symptoms, such as chest, neck or shoulder pain, call a doctor or seek medical treatment.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Avoid foods that may irritate the stomach and produce more pain, such as spicy or fried foods, tomato products, alcohol or citrus fruits.
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Wait several hours and then experiment with bland foods like rice or crackers and sip water and ginger tea. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine reports that ginger is a common ingredient in commercial products for abdominal discomfort and is used in Asian medicine to treat stomachaches, nausea and diarrhea 2.
Treat abdominal pain caused by excessive gas with an over-the-counter product containing simethicone, a medicine that brings gas bubbles together in the stomach and intestines for easier passing 1. The Mayo Clinic's website suggests taking the medicine after meals and at bedtime.
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Sit upright, particularly after meals. This helps reduce abdominal pain associated with dyspepsia, a condition that affects about one in four people and causes intermittent pain or discomfort in the middle part of the stomach, according to FamilyDoctor.org 14.
Focus on relaxing and practice techniques such as deep breathing, meditation or yoga to get rid of menstrual cramping- and stress-related abdominal pain 1. A counselor or therapist may also offer methods that can help manage and even prevent recurring abdominal pain, according to the Mayo Clinic 1.
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References
- MedlinePlus: Abdominal Pain
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Ginger
- MayoClinic.com: Simethicone (oral route) Proper Use
- FamilyDoctor.org: Dyspepsia: What It Is and What to Do About It
- Patterson JW, Dominique E. Acute Abdomen. [Updated 2019 Nov 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459328/
- Schachter H. Indigestion and Heartburn. In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, editors. Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd edition. Boston: Butterworths; 1990. Chapter 83. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK409/
- Sherman R. Abdominal Pain. In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, editors. Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd edition. Boston: Butterworths; 1990. Chapter 86. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK412/
- Patterson JW, Dominique E. Acute Abdomen. [Updated 2019 Nov 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-.
- Schachter H. Indigestion and Heartburn. In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, editors. Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd edition. Boston: Butterworths; 1990. Chapter 83.
- Sherman R. Abdominal Pain. In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, editors. Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd edition. Boston: Butterworths; 1990. Chapter 86.
- Shi XZ, Lin YM, Hegde S. Novel Insights Into the Mechanisms of Abdominal Pain in Obstructive Bowel Disorders. Front Integr Neurosci. 2018;12:23. Published 2018 Jun 8. doi:10.3389/fnint.2018.00023
- Velissaris D, Karanikolas M, Pantzaris N, et al. Acute Abdominal Pain Assessment in the Emergency Department: The Experience of a Greek University Hospital. J Clin Med Res. 2017;9(12):987–993. doi:10.14740/jocmr3206w
- Macaluso CR, Mcnamara RM. Evaluation and management of acute abdominal pain in the emergency department. Int J Gen Med. 2012;5:789-97. doi:10.2147/IJGM.S25936
- Heading RC. Prevalence of upper gastrointestinal symptoms in the general population: a systematic review. Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl. 1999;231:3–8.
- Lyon C, Clark DC. Diagnosis of acute abdominal pain in older patients. Am Fam Physician. 2006;74(9):1537–1544.
- Morino M, Pellegrino L, Castagna E, Farinella E, Mao P. Acute nonspecific abdominal pain: A randomized, controlled trial comparing early laparoscopy versus clinical observation. Ann Surg. 2006;244(6):881–888. doi:10.1097/01.sla.0000246886.80424.ad
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A health-care professional for more than 10 years, Rica Lewis has obtained numerous certifications in the industry. In 2006 she began channeling her knowledge into health-related articles for print and online publications. Her work has appeared in "Metroparent Magazine," "Anew Heart Healthcare Magazine" and community newspapers. Lewis earned a diploma from LongRidge Writers Institute.