About abdominal pain
Abdominal pain is pain felt anywhere from below your ribs to your pelvis. It is also known as tummy pain or stomach pain. The abdomen houses many organs, including your stomach, liver, pancreas, small and large bowel, and reproductive organs. There are also major blood vessels in the abdomen.
Serious causes of abdominal pain include appendicitis and pregnancy problems. However, most abdominal pain is harmless and goes away without surgery.
Most people only need relief from their symptoms. Sometimes, abdominal pain can stop and the cause will never be known, or the cause may becomes more obvious with time.
Symptoms of abdominal pain in adults
The type of pain can vary greatly. When abdominal pain occurs, it can:
- be sharp, dull, stabbing, cramp-like, twisting or fit many other descriptions
- be brief, come and go in waves, or it can be constant
- make you throw up (vomit)
- make you want to stay still or make you so restless that you pace around trying to find ‘just the right position’
- vary from a minor problem to one needing urgent surgery.
Causes of abdominal pain in adults
There are many reasons why you may have pain in your abdomen. People often worry about appendicitis, gallstones, ulcers, infections and pregnancy problems. Doctors also worry about these, as well as many other conditions.
Abdominal pain may not come from the abdomen. Some surprising causes include heart attacks and pneumonia, conditions in the pelvis or groin, some skin rashes like shingles, and problems with stomach muscles like a strain. The pain may occur along with problems in passing urine or with bowel motions, or period problems.
With so many organs and structures in the abdomen, it can be hard for a doctor to be absolutely sure about the cause of your problem.
The doctor will ask you several questions and then examine you carefully. The doctor may perform no further tests. The cause of your pain is not severe. Another scenario may be that the doctor cannot find a cause, but the pain improves within hours or days. The doctor will assess whether the pain requires surgery or admission to the hospital.
Stomach Pain Treatment
There are numerous causes of stomach pain, and the appropriate treatment will be determined by the underlying cause. If a health condition is the cause of your discomfort, it’s crucial to consult your doctor for guidance. For short-term stomach pain not linked to a persistent medical condition, you can consider over-the-counter (OTC) medications and home remedies. However, for persistent stomach pain or more serious conditions such as appendicitis, professional medical treatment is essential for your well-being.
When Is Stomach Pain an Emergency?
You should seek emergency medical attention if:
- The pain is in your lower right belly, the area is tender to the touch, and you also have a fever or are vomiting. These may be signs of appendicitis.
- You’re vomiting blood.
- You’re having a hard time breathing.
- You’re pregnant and have belly pain or vaginal bleeding.
Over-The-Counter Stomach Pain Medication
Some medicines you can buy at the drugstore can provide temporary relief of your symptoms:
- For gas pain, medicine with the ingredient simethicone can help eliminate it.
- For heartburn, try an antacid or acid reducer.
- For constipation, a mild stool softener or laxative may help get things moving again.
- For other types of pain, acetaminophen might be helpful. But stay away from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) like aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. They can irritate your stomach.
OTC medicines are not suitable for everyone. For example, children should not take medications for adults without the advice of their pediatrician. Other OTC medicines may interact with prescription medications you take or cause problems if you have certain health conditions. Always ask your doctor if you’re unsure about a particular OTC medicine.
Prescription Medications for Belly Pain
Some types of stomach pain may require stronger medication from your doctor. For example:
Steroids. These can help reduce pain caused by chronic (ongoing) conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Proton pump inhibitors. These can help with conditions caused by stomach acid, like ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux.
Antibiotics. Your doctor might prescribe these if your pain is related to a bacterial infection.
Stomach Pain Home Remedies
For short-term relief of stomach pain at home, you can:
- Place a heating pad on your belly.
- Drink licorice for gas or ginger tea for indigestion.
- Drink plenty of clear fluids to stay hydrated.
- Eat easy-to-digest foods like crackers and bananas.
- Eat several smaller meals instead of three big ones.
- Stay away from spicy, fried, and sugary foods and caffeine.
Best home remedies for menstrual stomach cramps
If your belly pain is related to your period, you can:
- Place a heating pad on your belly.
- Do some light activities like walking or yoga.
- Limit fatty foods, sugar, and caffeine.
- Gently massage your lower belly.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Get plenty of rest.
When to see a doctor about abdominal pain
Go straight to your doctor or the emergency department of the nearest hospital if you have any of the following:
- severe pain
- pain lasting for several hours
- pain or vaginal bleeding if you are pregnant
- pain in your scrotum if you are a male
- pain and vomiting or shortness of breath
- pain and vomiting blood
- blood in your bowel motions or urine
- pain that spreads to your chest, neck or shoulder
- fever and sweats
- become pale and clammy
- unable to pass urine
- unable to move your bowels or pass gas
- any other concerns.
