Abdominal Pain: Causes, Treatment, and When to See a Doctor

 Abdominal pain is a common symptom that can be caused by a variety of factors. The pain can be chronic or acute and may involve organs in the digestive system, urinary system, or female reproductive system

1

.

Causes of Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain can be caused by many different conditions, ranging from minor issues such as gas and indigestion to more serious medical emergencies such as appendicitis, an abdominal aortic aneurysm, or cancer

2

3

. Other causes of abdominal pain include constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, food allergies, lactose intolerance, food poisoning, and a stomach virus

1

2

.

When to See a Doctor

If your abdominal pain worries you or lasts more than a few days, make an appointment with your doctor

4

. Seek emergency medical care if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• The pain is in your lower right abdomen and tender to the touch, and you also have fever or are vomiting. These may be signs of appendicitis.
• You're vomiting blood.
• You have a hard time breathing.
• You're pregnant and have belly pain or vaginal bleeding
  5
  .

Treatment for Abdominal Pain

The treatment for abdominal pain depends on the underlying cause. For gas pain, medicine that has the ingredient simethicone (Mylanta, Gas-X) can help get rid of it. For heartburn from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), try an antacid or acid reducer (Pepcid AC, Zantac 75). For constipation, a mild stool softener or laxative may help get things moving again. For cramping from diarrhea, medicines that have loperamide (Imodium) or bismuth subsalicylate (Kaopectate or Pepto-Bismol) might make you feel better. For other types of pain, acetaminophen (Aspirin Free Anacin, Liquiprin, Panadol, Tylenol) might be helpful. However, stay away from non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Midol, Motrin), or naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve) for abdominal pain, since these medications can irritate the stomach

5

.

Home Remedies for Abdominal Pain

Several home remedies can help resolve stomach and abdominal pain, such as drinking water and avoiding spicy foods. If these do not help, over-the-counter and prescription medications are available

6

.Remember, abdominal pain can be caused by many different conditions, and it's important to see a doctor if you experience severe or persistent pain.