There is no doubt that abdominal discomfort is one of the commonest reasons as to why patients visit the hospital. The pattern of presentation greatly varies in terms of affected areas, the frequency and the duration of pain. Because of this variation, there is no single form of treatment that can be used for all the forms of the symptom. We will explore a number of effective options for abdominal pain relief.
The occasional mild pain may be managed with some home remedies. A simple heating pad placed on the affected region for a few minutes is usually good enough. Other interventions that have also been shown to be beneficial include the use of chamomile and peppermint tea. The tea is particularly helpful in cases where constipation is the main underlying issue. Ensure that you chew your food adequately to minimize the incidences of discomfort.
The history of the symptoms will usually help in determining the cause of symptoms and by extension, the effective form of treatment that can be used. For example, an individual that experiences a stomach upset shortly after consuming a stale meal is most likely suffering from food poisoning. This symptom is, on most occasions associated with vomiting and diarrhea. Apart from the risk of dehydration, there is no cause for alarm. Taking plenty of clear fluids and over the counter analgesic agents usually works.
Pain that is intermittent associated with hunger pangs or coming immediately after meals favors a diagnosis of peptic ulcers. The pain will on most occasions radiate to the sternal area of the chest as the stomach acids reflux back into the esophagus. If you have experienced such a symptom, you need to be evaluated further by having a stool test. As a temporary intervention, however, some over the counter antacids may be tried.
Women may experience abdominal discomfort related to their reproductive system. While these are most dominant in the pelvic region, they may also radiate to the lower abdominal region. During the menstrual cycle, a significant number of women experience this symptom. The cause of the discomfort is the uterine contraction. Over the counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often good enough. Stronger drugs such as opioids may be required for select cases.
Very severe discomfort affecting the lower abdominal region or the loins requires an evaluation by a general doctor or a gynecologist. Such may be experienced when one is suffering from chronic infections such as pelvic inflammatory disease. This requires the inclusion of antimicrobial agents in addition to analgesics. Another possibility is a condition termed endometriosis.
The period of pregnancy is a time that should be handled with a lot of caution. Abdominal discomfort is a common complaint. The most cause for this is a urinary tract infection which can be easily treated with antibiotics. There should be worry when the discomfort is accompanied by vaginal bleeding as this may be an indicator of an impending abortion.
The bottom line is to know when to seek professional help. If the discomfort fails to respond to the common medications or if it is recurrent, there is a need to have a proper diagnosis. Watch out for danger signs such as severe vomiting, prolonged diarrhea and fevers. All these tend to suggest a more serious issue and require urgent intervention.
The occasional mild pain may be managed with some home remedies. A simple heating pad placed on the affected region for a few minutes is usually good enough. Other interventions that have also been shown to be beneficial include the use of chamomile and peppermint tea. The tea is particularly helpful in cases where constipation is the main underlying issue. Ensure that you chew your food adequately to minimize the incidences of discomfort.
The history of the symptoms will usually help in determining the cause of symptoms and by extension, the effective form of treatment that can be used. For example, an individual that experiences a stomach upset shortly after consuming a stale meal is most likely suffering from food poisoning. This symptom is, on most occasions associated with vomiting and diarrhea. Apart from the risk of dehydration, there is no cause for alarm. Taking plenty of clear fluids and over the counter analgesic agents usually works.
Pain that is intermittent associated with hunger pangs or coming immediately after meals favors a diagnosis of peptic ulcers. The pain will on most occasions radiate to the sternal area of the chest as the stomach acids reflux back into the esophagus. If you have experienced such a symptom, you need to be evaluated further by having a stool test. As a temporary intervention, however, some over the counter antacids may be tried.
Women may experience abdominal discomfort related to their reproductive system. While these are most dominant in the pelvic region, they may also radiate to the lower abdominal region. During the menstrual cycle, a significant number of women experience this symptom. The cause of the discomfort is the uterine contraction. Over the counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often good enough. Stronger drugs such as opioids may be required for select cases.
Very severe discomfort affecting the lower abdominal region or the loins requires an evaluation by a general doctor or a gynecologist. Such may be experienced when one is suffering from chronic infections such as pelvic inflammatory disease. This requires the inclusion of antimicrobial agents in addition to analgesics. Another possibility is a condition termed endometriosis.
The period of pregnancy is a time that should be handled with a lot of caution. Abdominal discomfort is a common complaint. The most cause for this is a urinary tract infection which can be easily treated with antibiotics. There should be worry when the discomfort is accompanied by vaginal bleeding as this may be an indicator of an impending abortion.
The bottom line is to know when to seek professional help. If the discomfort fails to respond to the common medications or if it is recurrent, there is a need to have a proper diagnosis. Watch out for danger signs such as severe vomiting, prolonged diarrhea and fevers. All these tend to suggest a more serious issue and require urgent intervention.
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