Pain in the abdomen is a common symptom that most everyone will experience from time to time. It can be caused by many different conditions, and the treatment will depend on which condition specifically is causing your discomfort.
Most of the time, abdominal pain is due to non-life-threatening conditions and will resolve itself, but if you ever experience abdominal pain that is so severe you can’t move or pain that is accompanied by other symptoms such as severe tenderness, bloody diarrhea, or fever, you should seek medical attention immediately.
Medical treatment for abdominal pain will usually focus on resolving the underlying condition. For example, your doctor might prescribe anti-inflammatory medications for conditions that are causing inflammation in the stomach, or antibiotics if your symptoms are caused by an infection. Your problem might be as simple as needing to cut out certain foods or beverages from your diet that are causing your abdominal pain. However, severe cases such as appendicitis or a hernia may require surgery.
For the above cases of persistent abdominal pain, you will need to meet with your doctor in order to first be diagnosed before receiving treatment that will helpful. However, if you are experiencing mild, temporary abdominal pain, there are some home remedies that may be helpful without receiving medical attention. Some common remedies for relief include:
- Heat: Heat can help loosen and relax muscles. For abdominal cramps, a little bit of warmth in the form of a heating pad or a hot water bottle can go a long way. To find relief, lay down with a comfortably warm hot pack for at least fifteen minutes, or as long as you need to.
- Mint: If your abdominal pain is due to indigestion, gas, or bloating, then some fresh peppermint tea might help. Mint can relax the stomach muscles, as well as improve the flow of bile, which will help you digest easier.
- Chamomile: For pain that is due to inflammation along the lining of the stomach, a cup of chamomile tea might do the trick, since it works as a natural anti-inflammatory.
- Lemon: The high acidity level in lemons helps stimulate the production of hydrochloric acid, which can help your stomach more easily break down your food if you are suffering from indigestion. If you mix lemon juice with water, you are also better hydrating yourself, which can help keep your digestive system flushed and running smoothly.
- Rice water: This is the substance that is left over after you cook rice in water. Drinking this can help relieve inflammation because it acts as a demulcent, meaning that it forms a soothing barrier over the lining of your stomach.
- Ginger: Natural chemicals such as ginerols and shogaols are found in ginger roots, which can help relax the muscles that line your intestinal track. Additionally, ginger can help with relieving nausea, which commonly accompanies stomach aches. Sipping on ginger in the form of ginger ale or ginger tea can be very effective for reliving your discomfort.
- Lime: Similarly to lemon, lime is also effective at relieving stomachaches because of the high acidity. Mixing lemon with club soda can also help because the carbonation can help relieve pressure in your stomach if it is due to indigestion or constipation.
- Fennel seeds: Fennel seeds contain anethole, which is an oil that can stimulate digestive juices and tame inflammation. If your stomach pains are being caused by indigestion or inflammation, then chewing on a handful of these seeds after eating might bring some relief.
