Abdominal Pain: Many Causes, Many Cures

 

"I have a stomachache"  is a catchall complaint we’ve all used to describe pain throughout the midsection. Your mission is to pinpoint the true cause of the trouble so you can treat your pain effectively.  

 

Dining on spicy foods, succumbing to a viral infection or over indulging in food or drink can cause gastritis, an inflammation of the  lining of then stomach, which is  located in the upper part of the mid section just below the rib cage. Gastritis is a true “ stomachache ” and is often accompanied  by nausea and vomiting. Going without food for four to six hours, then eating only bland foods such as toast and crackers and  sipping ginger ale or another clear liquid for four to six hours often provides relief. 

 

A third source of stomach distress is constipation ( going  three more days without  a bowel movement ), which can cause  bouts of cramping, gas , bloating and pain in the lower abdomen. Possible culprits include inadequate fiber and  fluid intake or insufficient exercise . A big  bowl of bran cereal should be your first pain prescription if that doesn’t  work, then reach for a liquid laxative. If your constipation persists, consult your physician. You might ask her about starting a regular weight- bearing exercise routine and  a fiber- rich diet , both of which will help get your digestive system  back on track.  

 

Menstrual cramps are a uniquely  feminine brand of tummy trouble . Caused by hormonelike chemicals called prostaglandin that are released in the body  during menstruation, normal period pain is  easy to pinpoint ( because it coincides with your cycle ). It’s also simple to  treat with nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory drugs 

 

If your pain is disabling or accompanied by other symptoms   such as bleeding between periods, heavier than normal bleeding  or pain during intercourse, something serious could be the culprit.  Pain associated  with endometriosis ( a condition that results when pieces of the uterine lining break away and  implant in the lower abdomen ) or fibroid tumors ( nonmalignant growths in the uterus ) is often confused with “normal “ menstrual pain –but it’s far from normal. While both conditions can be treated with drugs or surgery, they must be caught early; If left untreated, these conditions can cause dire problems such as infertility.  

 

If  you experience any of the symptoms above, or any of the follwoing symptoms , see your doctor immediately.  

 

• Pain or cramps after meals, which can signal a hiatal hernia

• Pain  that is sharp, severe or localized  a symptom of appendicitis

• Chromic cramps , which could point to irritable bowel syndrome or other serious digestive disorders

• Pain that is accompanied by a fever, Vomiting or other severe symptoms

• Discomfort accompanied by extreme bloating, which could signal  the presence of a growth,  such as a tumor