Abdominal pain refers to discomfort felt anywhere between the lower part of your ribs and your pelvis. This pain can manifest in various forms, such as aching, stabbing, burning, twisting, cramping, or dull sensations.
For relief at home, consider resting, drinking plenty of water, consuming light and easily digestible foods like crackers, bananas, and yogurt, applying a hot water bottle, or sipping herbal teas.
What Are the Types of Abdominal Pain?
Upper side/lower side: Upper abdominal pain occurs above the belly button, while lower abdominal pain is felt below it.
Right side/left side: The midline of your abdomen runs from the breastbone to the belly button, dividing the area into right and left sections.
What Causes Abdominal Pain?
Abdominal pain is discomfort felt between the chest and groin, often referred to as the stomach or navel area. It can stem from a variety of conditions, and it’s crucial to recognize when to seek immediate medical attention. Sometimes, what feels like stomach pain may originate from other organs within or outside the digestive system.
The most common causes of abdominal pain include:
Abdominal Pain Due to Digestive Problems
Causes of abdominal pain after eating may include:
• Indigestion
• Gas and gas pains
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Food allergies and intolerances (adverse reactions to certain foods)
• Food poisoning
• Inflammation
Abdominal Pain Due to Infection or Irritation
Irritation or infection in your organs can lead to temporary inflammation, such as:
• Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu)
• Peptic ulcer disease
• Chronic acid reflux (GERD)
• Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Female reproductive cycle
Abdominal Pain Specific to Women
In women, pain may occur during certain periods due to the following reasons:
• Menstrual cramps
• Ovulation pain
Other Causes of Abdominal Pain
Other potential causes of abdominal pain include:
• Appendicitis
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm (swelling and weakening of the main artery in the body)
• Bowel obstruction
• Cancer of the stomach, colon, or other organs
• Gallbladder inflammation (with or without gallstones)
• Reduced blood flow to the intestines (ischemic bowel)
• Diverticulitis (inflammation and infection of the large intestine)
• Endometriosis
• Heartburn, indigestion, or gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)
• Hernia, where the intestine is compressed or twisted
• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis)
• Kidney stones
• Muscle strain
• Pancreatitis (swelling or infection of the pancreas)
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Ruptured ovarian cyst
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Ulcers
• Urinary tract infections
What Are the Causes of Writhing Abdominal Pain?
Writhing abdominal pain can result from various factors, including infection, inflammation, ulcers, perforation or rupture of organs, uncoordinated or blocked muscle contractions, or restricted blood flow to organs. Occasionally, conditions outside the abdomen can also cause such pain.
What Causes Sudden Onset Abdominal Pain?
Sudden abdominal pain can arise from less serious conditions like constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, food allergies, lactose intolerance, food poisoning, or stomach viruses. However, more severe causes include appendicitis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, bowel obstruction, cancer, and gastroesophageal reflux. A doctor’s evaluation is essential for an accurate diagnosis.
How Long Does Abdominal Pain Last?
Acute abdominal pain typically subsides within a few hours to a few days. In contrast, chronic abdominal pain, which may be intermittent or episodic, persists for at least three months and can come and go over time.
What Is Good for Stomach-Abdominal Pain?
For stomach ache:
• Applying a hot water bottle or taking a hot bath
• Drinking plenty of water and clear liquids
• Eating bland foods like crackers, rice, applesauce, bananas, and yogurt
• Sipping chamomile or mint tea
For abdominal pain:
• Consuming easy-to-digest foods like crackers or bananas
• Staying hydrated
• Using a hot water bottle or taking a warm bath
• Trying licorice root for gas, ginger for indigestion, or peppermint tea to relax intestinal muscles
Can Abdominal Pain Be Treated at Home?
Yes, home remedies for abdominal pain include resting, drinking plenty of water, eating light and easily digestible foods (such as crackers, bananas, and yogurt), applying a hot water bottle, and drinking herbal teas.
What Relieves Stomach Ache the Fastest?
Quick relief methods for stomach ache include eating bananas, crackers, potatoes, or toast, applying hot compresses, drinking lemon water, and resting.
What Is Good for Stomach Ache in Children?
Regular consumption of yogurt and kefir can help relieve constipation, bloating, and abdominal pain in children. Fiber-rich foods like figs, apricots, dates, plums, and pears are also beneficial for pain caused by constipation.
What Causes Abdominal Pain During Pregnancy and How Can It Be Relieved?
Abdominal pain during pregnancy is often harmless and caused by the stretching of ligaments as the uterus grows, also known as growth pains. Constipation is another common cause. To alleviate discomfort, try:
• Resting
• Taking a warm shower
• Drinking plenty of fluids
• Avoiding gas-inducing or constipating foods
• Performing light stretching exercises
What Are the Drinks That Are Good for Stomach Ache?
In addition to water, ginger tea, chamomile tea, mint tea, linden tea, and lemon juice can help soothe abdominal pain.
When Should You See a Doctor for Abdominal Pain?
You should consult a doctor if you experience symptoms such as:
• Pain lasting more than a few days
• Constantly recurring pain
• Fever accompanying the pain
• Bloody stools
• Severe vomiting
Which Doctor Should You See for Abdominal Pain?
Abdominal Pain (Upper Part)
- If the pain has occurred recently, consult a General Surgeon.
• If the pain has persisted for a long time and recurs frequently, see an Internal Medicine or Gastroenterology specialist.
• If gallbladder stones or inflammation are detected, a General Surgeon should be consulted.
Abdominal Pain (Lower Part)
- If diarrhea is present, visit the Infectious Diseases or Internal Medicine department.
• For urinary tract complaints, consult the Urology department.
• If there is vaginal discharge, see the Gynecology department.
• In other cases, visit the General Surgery department of a hospital.