Stomach Pain Treatment
There are many causes of stomach pain, and treatment will depend on what's causing yours. If a health condition is the reason for your discomfort, ask your doctor what you should do. For short-term stomach pain not related to an ongoing medical condition, you can try over-the-counter (OTC) medications and home remedies. For ongoing stomach pain or more serious conditions like appendicitis, you will need professional medical treatment.
When Is Stomach Pain an Emergency?
You should seek emergency medical attention if:
- The pain is in your lower right belly, the area is tender to the touch, and you also have a fever or are vomiting. These may be signs of appendicitis.
- You're vomiting blood.
- You're having a hard time breathing.
- You're pregnant and have belly pain or vaginal bleeding .
Over-The-Counter Stomach Pain Medication
Some medicines you can buy at the drugstore can provide temporary relief of your symptoms:
- For gas pain, medicine that has the ingredient simethicone can help get rid of it.
- For heartburn, try an antacid or acid reducer.
- For constipation, a mild stool softener or laxative may help get things moving again.
- For other types of pain, acetaminophen might be helpful. But stay away from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) like aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. They can irritate your stomach.
OTC medicines are not right for everyone. For example, children should not take medications for adults without the advice of your pediatrician. Other OTC medicines may interact with prescription medications you take, or cause problems if you have certain health conditions. Always ask your doctor if you're unsure about a particular OTC medicine.
Prescription Medications for Belly Pain
Some types of stomach pain may require stronger medication you get from your doctor. For example:
Steroids. These can help reduce pain caused by chronic (ongoing) conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Proton pump inhibitors. These can help with conditions caused by stomach acid, like ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux.
Antibiotics. Your doctor might prescribe these if your pain is related to a bacterial infection.
Stomach Pain Home Remedies
For short-term relief of stomach pain at home, you can:
- Place a heating pad on your belly.
- Drink licorice for gas or ginger tea for indigestion.
- Drink plenty of clear fluids to stay hydrated.
- Eat easy-to-digest foods like crackers and bananas.
- Eat several smaller meals instead of three big ones.
- Stay away from spicy, fried, and sugary foods and caffeine.
Best home remedies for menstrual stomach cramps
If your belly pain is related to your period, you can:
- Place a heating pad on your belly.
- Do some light activity like walking or yoga.
- Limit fatty foods, sugar, and caffeine.
- Gently massage your lower belly.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Get plenty of rest.
How to Prevent Stomach Pain
You can't always prevent stomach pain, but you can reduce your chances with these tips:
Eat mindfully. Slow down and chew your food thoroughly. This helps improve digestion.
Eat smaller meals. Eating a lot of food at once overloads your digestive system.
Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to prevent constipation and ease menstrual cramps.
Eat fiber. Include plenty of fiber in your diet to prevent constipation.
Avoid food triggers. Pay attention to foods that bring on your pain, and limit or avoid them.
Stay active. Moving your body every day promotes good digestion.
Talk to your doctor. If you get stomach pain often, your doctor can help you figure out the cause and a treatment.
When to See a Doctor for Stomach Pain
It's time to get medical help if:
- You have severe belly pain or the pain lasts several days.
- You have nausea and a fever and can't keep food down for several days.
- You have bloody stools.
- It hurts to pee.
- You have blood in your urine .
- You cannot pass stools, especially if you're also vomiting.
- You had an injury to your belly in the days before the pain started.
- You have heartburn that doesn't get better with OTC medicine or lasts longer than 2 weeks.
Takeaways
Everyone gets stomach pain from time to time. In most cases, it will go away on its own. You can ease the pain with OTC medicines and home remedies. Some cases of stomach pain that are severe or long-lasting will need medical treatment.
Stomach Pain Treatment FAQs
What causes stomach pain?
Many things can cause stomach pain, from something you ate to stress to a long-term health condition.
How can you relieve stomach pain?
For short-term relief of stomach pain caused by indigestion or menstrual cramps, you can take OTC medicines and try home remedies. For more severe or longer-lasting pain, you should seek medical treatment.
What can you eat for stomach pain?
For pain related to indigestion, avoid your triggers, such as acidic or spicy foods. Give your digestive system a rest by eating easy-to-digest foods until your pain goes away.
