Updated on STAY HEALTHY

Abdominal pain: when to see a doctor?

Abdominal pain is very common. About 7 out of 10 people have gastrointestinal complaints each year

“Fortunately, abdominal pain is usually harmless and quickly passes on its own. Sometimes, however, we also have to help a little to alleviate the symptoms. In rarer cases, abdominal pain needs to be treated quickly,” explains Dr. Saloojee.

Abdominal cramps with flatulence

Bloatingcan causeabdominal cramps, bloating, and a bloated, hard stomach. The clothes become cramped and you feel a violent rumbling in the intestine. Irritable bowel syndromecan also cause painful flatulence.

“A bloating, gases, and rumors in the gut occur when you have more air in your stomach than usual,” explains Dr. Saloojee. But how does the air get into the stomach in the first place? Sometimes this comes from swallowing extra air when eating quickly, chewing gum or sucking candy. Sweeteners, such as those found in LIght drinks, are not tolerated by many people.

Hard-to-digest foods like lentils, fruits, or vegetables can also cause bloating, especially if you have irritable bowel syndrome, are sensitive to fiber, or have a food intolerance (e.g., lactoseintolerance). Even after therapy with antibiotics, abdominal pain, flatulence and diarrhea can occur.

When to get medical advice

Abdominal cramps and bloating usually go away within a few hours or days. Talk to a doctor if

Dull, persistent stomach pain

Prolonged abdominal pain can have many different causes, including:

When to seek medical advice

“Slight abdominal pain without other symptoms is usually not a cause for concern and should improve on its own if you pay attention to a healthy and gentle diet,” explains Dr. Saloojee. However, you should see a doctor if the pain has lasted longer than a few days or if you have other symptoms, such as:B. a general feeling of being unwell.

Sudden abdominal pain with diarrhea

Abdominal pain, usually with sudden diarrhea and/or vomiting, can have various causes:

“The usual causes of a gastrointestinal infection are eating unusual or spoiled foods and warming up leftovers. There may be severe , vomiting,feverand convulsions, which are worst in the first two days,” said Dr Saloojee.

Make sure you drinkenough fluids – drink 6-8 glasses of water slowly throughout the day. You can also add rehydration salts (electrolytes) to the water to maintain fluid balance.

When to seek medical advice

“Infections caused by gastrointestinal viruses usually subside after a few days, but an infection can also last up to 14 days,” explains Dr. Saloojee. It’s best to talk to a doctor if:

  • the diarrhea has not improved after 7 days
  • you have to go to the toilet more than 6 times a day
  • you notice blood in
  • you have been vomiting for 2 days
  • you are showing signs of dehydration.

Very severe abdominal pain

If you’re in so much pain that you can’t move, sleep, or do normal activities, you should see a doctor right away.

Severe abdominal pain can be caused by:

  • Appendicitis
  • Kidney stones
  • Gallstones
  • Gastric ulcer
  • Diverticulitis
  • Intestinal obstruction

“The pain can start suddenly or gradually get worse,” explains Dr. Saloojee. “Intense pain is a sign that something is wrong.”So talk to a doctor as soon as possible or call the emergency number 112.

Abdominal pain with constipation

If you’re constipated, the first thing to try is to eat more fruits and vegetables and drink more water. “Exercise also stimulates the intestines. Light endurance sports such as walking or cycling are sufficient,” explains Dr.Saloojee.

You can also try psyllium husk. These remain in the intestines and draw in water, making the stool looser and bulkier.

When to seek medical advice

“If you don’t have a wind blow for more than a day, you should see a doctor as it can be a sign of a bowel obstruction,” explains Dr.Saloojee. Basically, you should first try tostimulate bowel activity and tackle constipationwith natural helpers and the right diet. If nothing helps, you should see a doctor.

Abdominal pain

Pain or pulling in the abdomen or lower abdomen can have a variety of causes. Problems with the genitals or urinary tract are usually behind the symptoms. Menstrual pain is one of the most common types of abdominal pain in women. But there are also other causes, such as:

  • Uterine fibroids or cysts
  • Endometriosis
  • an ectopic pregnancy
  • an inflammation of the abdomen or pelvis

Other possible causes are:

When to seek medical advice

Talk to a doctor if the pain doesn’t go away or you have symptoms like burning when urinating, unusual discharge , painful sex , or heavy menstrual bleeding .

Stomach pain with heartburn

Heartburn, indigestion, or acid reflux can cause upper abdominal pain, acid regurgitation, burning pain behind the breastbone, and a sour taste in the mouth. Acid reflux is the reflux of acidic stomach contents into the esophagus. It can also feel like a pressure in the chest or abdomen that gets better with burping.

“Heartburn is often caused by overeating, diet, alcohol, or stress,” explains Dr. Saloojee. This is where over-the-counter medications can help. You should also avoid things that trigger symptoms.

For example, it can be a good idea to eat smaller meals and avoid eating late in the evening or lying down after eating.

When to seek medical advice

“In itself, heartburn from time to time is normal. However, if it occurs frequently and you are accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, abdominal swelling, or weight loss, see a doctor,” says Dr.Saloojee.

Abdominal pain during pregnancy

“Tummy pain or cramps can be normal during pregnancy. If they’re mild and go away on their own, they’re likely due to constipation, gas, indigestion, or ligament pain,” explains Dr. Saloojee.

Talk to your midwife or doctor right away if:

  • painful cramps that come and go (you may go into labor)
  • the pain persists or gets worse
  • have pain when urinating or back pain
  • you have an unusual discharge or vaginal bleeding.

What helps with stomach pain?

You don’t have to put up with a stomach ache. Most of these ailments can be easily treated with home remedies. Here’s what you can do:

  • Avoid foods that can trigger indigestion.
  • heat, e.g.B. with a hot water bottle or a cherry stone pillow. Best for 15 minutes.
  • If you need a painkiller, you’d better take paracetamol. Ibuprofen can irritate the stomach and make symptoms worse.
  • Take a relaxing warm bath.
  • A gentle abdominal massage in slow, circular movements
  • Light exercise like walking, stretching or yoga
  • Drink water throughout the day
  • smaller meals
  • Peppermint or chamomile tea
  • Over-the-counter medications: Proton pump inhibitors (eg, pantoprazole for heartburn, laxatives for constipation, or buscopan (hyoscine butyl bromide) and mebeverine for cramps and gas
  • Bland diets (avoiding spicy, raw or fatty foods, onions, garlic, alcohol, caffeine and fizzy drinks, foods with artificial sweeteners) can help with many stomach problems.

If you have frequent stomach pains, you should keep a food and Symptom diaryto narrow down the causes. What could be causing your symptoms?

When should abdominal pain be taken seriously?

Stomach pain is not always harmless.

If you have the following symptoms, you should have a doctor examine you as a precaution to clarify the cause of the pain:

  • with very severe pain
  • in case of very sudden pain
  • if your stomach hurts when you touch it
  • with a hard and bloated stomach
  • blood in the vomit (may look like coffee grounds)
  • with bloody or black stools, if the stool is sticky and smells unusual
  • if you can’t urinate
  • if you don’t have a bowel movement and can’t let go of winches
  • if you have chest pain or difficulty breathing
  • if you havediabetesand vomit
  • if youfaint/have a circulatory collapse

The doctor will ask you about your symptoms and possibly arrange a stool or blood test to make an accurate diagnosis and find the right treatment for you.

Darrick Robles

I was born with the vocation of being a doctor. I have worked in public health centers in California and Washington, ​​in social projects in low-income countries, and in pioneering private centers in integrative medicine. Currently, I am the founder and medical director of the social enterprise Med-Healths, in which I combine my medical care work with giving conferences on health and well-being in business and social environments.