Some Abdominal Pain Relief Options For Consideration

By Larry Thompson


Abdominal discomfort is without a doubt one of the common reasons patients make a trip to the hospital. The symptom has a wide range of causes with the patterns of presentation in relation to factors such as frequency, the site affected and the severity also varies. It is for this reason that no single treatment exists for all the forms of the symptom. When looking for abdominal pain relief, there are a number of things that you need to consider.

There a number of home remedies that have been tried with varying rates of success. A heating pad placed on the affected area for a few minutes may help in cases of mild symptoms. Peppermint tea (or chamomile) often helps relieve comfort resulting from constipation. This should also be accompanied by the intake of plenty of clear fluids. Other self-help measures include the intake of smaller frequent meals as opposed to large ones as well as proper chewing.

When one consumes food that is stale or that which has been improperly prepared, they are at a risk of suffering from a stomach upset. Diarrhea and vomiting usually follow. This is what is termed as food poisoning. The good news is that such symptoms are self-limiting. It is, however, important to maintain an optimal hydration status by taking as much water and other fluids as possible. Over the counter pain relievers may be used.

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 have unique forms of abdominal pain affecting their internal reproductive organs. Although the organs are mainly in the pelvic region, symptoms associated with diseases in this area may also affect the abdomen. A common problem is the severe discomfort that comes at the time of the menstrual flow. The cause is the contraction of the uterus as it expels blood. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs are preferred. Opioids may be needed in some cases.

Very severe pelvic and loin pain during the menstrual flow warrants a gynecological consult. There could be more serious conditions that require surgical intervention. Possibilities include conditions such as endometriosis and chronic infections. The doctor will carry out a number of investigations including radiological imaging studies, urine tests and at times blood tests. The definitive management of your symptoms will be determined by the findings.

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.

Chronic pain is a symptom of a serious condition in most cases. There is a need to seek the services of a doctor so that a comprehensive evaluation can be undertaken. Other potentially danger signs include bloody diarrhea, vomiting and fever. Delays in seeking professional help may lead to progression of the condition which may in turn result in unfavorable outcomes later on.




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