The causes of abdominal pain are many. If it’s mild, we can treat it from home.
Stomach ache is a common ailment, with several different causes.
Normally, when we refer to stomach pain, we are not sure that the pain is caused by this organ. This pain can be caused by different ailments that affect different parts of our abdomen , so it is best to refer to this pain as abdominal pain if we do not know its cause.
Even so, moderate stomach pain can be treated initially from the comfort of our home, using home remedies that we can find in our pantry .
In this article we will talk about possible causes of stomach pain, how we can relieve it with home remedies and what symptoms warrant a visit to the doctor.
Causes of stomach pain
Abdominal pain can be caused by a long list of ailments of greater or lesser severity, which makes it difficult for us to know its exact cause. In those cases where the pain is unbearable or long lasting, the best option is to go to the doctor directly .
Moderate or mild stomach pain can have different common causes, such as:
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1. Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection in our intestine. It causes abdominal pain and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, fever, and chills . In this case, dehydration is usually the main problem to avoid.
Luckily, this type of ailment usually improves without the need for medical intervention and we can alleviate its symptoms from home.
2. Constipation
Constipation is a common symptom that can cause stomach pain, as well as a feeling of bloating or never having completely emptied our intestines. If our stools are very hard and we pass less than three times a week , it is very likely that we are suffering from an episode of constipation.
3. Food intolerances
Food intolerances can be specific, if we know the food that causes them (as would be the case of gluten or lactose intolerance), which makes them avoidable in general, simply by not consuming the food that causes the disorder.
There is also the possibility of non-specific intolerances , which are caused by poor assimilation and accumulation of certain components of the food or medication that we are consuming. Non-specific intolerances occur due to a large number of factors, such as the state of the food, our state of health, the accompanying elements, the method of preparation…
Non-specific food intolerances can cause us a temporary stomach ache, which we can also relieve through home remedies .
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4. Gases
Most of the gases that we generate during digestion are released through the mouth, but sometimes the amount generated is higher than usual. This causes us stomach pain and flatulence, with an unpleasant feeling of swelling or heaviness. Food is a key element in the amount of gases we generate.
Foods richer in fiber, such as legumes or cereals, can increase gas production . They are also related to the consumption of carbonated drinks, artificial sweeteners such as xylitol, or certain eating habits such as eating too quickly, talking while eating, chewing gum or using straws.
If the stomach pain we experience is more severe and/or constant, it could be due to more serious conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, or peptic ulcers.
Home remedies to relieve stomach pain
In addition to avoiding overeating and excessive alcohol or tobacco use, these home remedies are a good way to relieve or even cure mild to moderate stomach pain .
1. A glass of digestive liqueur
Multiple cultures have the custom of accompanying meals with a small dose of digestive liquor, which in addition to having a good taste, can relieve stomach pain. In Spain, vermouth or orujo are typical , but there is a wide variety of liqueurs that can help us alleviate poor digestion, such as cognac or limoncello .
2. Ginger
Ginger is a root commonly used in the Asian culinary tradition. Science has proven various positive properties of ginger, such as its ability to help fight infections or control inflammatory processes. To relieve moderate stomach pain, a drink with ginger can be the key.
3. Chamomile
Chamomile is a traditional European medicinal herb, whose benefits have also been proven by science . Its ability to soothe abdominal pain of different origins makes chamomile tea an effective option and within the reach of all pockets to treat stomach pain.
4. Peppermint
Neither mint nor spearmint, but rather a cross between these two plants, peppermint is known as “peppermint” in English-speaking countries. The tea from this plant relieves gas and relaxes the abdominal muscles, helping us with stomach pain and its causes.
In addition, benefits of consuming this plant have been observed for the relief of headaches and menstrual pain. And on the rebound, it tastes good and improves your breath. What more can you ask of a remedy?
5. Diet
Not a diet to lose weight, but a type of diet with foods that are easy to consume and that do not cause an overexertion of our digestive system, which is already altered. When we suffer from stomach pain, it is recommended to consume foods such as toasted bread, white rice, bananas and applesauce for at least one day.
This type of diet will also relieve diarrhea and nausea, in addition to reducing stomach pain and gas .
6. Heat
Also useful for menstrual pain or even headaches, heat can be a very good option to relieve the discomfort of abdominal pain. We can use electric blankets or hot water bottles (made of a resistant material to avoid accidents) to relieve our pain momentarily .
7. Drink water
Dehydration can worsen the symptoms of stomach pain, as well as being a serious problem if we have diarrhea. It is best to drink water constantly, slowly and in small amounts and spread throughout the day . In this way we will be able to relieve stomach pain and avoid dehydration if we are at risk of suffering from it.
In addition, hydration makes it easier to evacuate easily, which is also useful if we are suffering from constipation.
warning symptoms
In closing, we must say that these home remedies work best if the cause of the pain is relatively harmless.
There are symptoms that accompany stomach pain that are indicative of more serious illnesses that require medical attention, so we list them below so that you know how to detect them and go to your medical specialist as soon as possible :
- Excessive urination or difficulty urinating
- extreme and sudden pain
- Blood in stool, black stool
- Inability to keep food or liquids down without vomiting
- Vomiting blood or blackish vomit
- yellowish skin
Bibliographic references
- Sherman R. Abdominal Pain. In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, eds. Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd edition. Boston: Butterworths; 1990. Chapter 86.
- van Tilburg, MA, Chitkara, DK, Palsson, OS, Levy, RL, & Whitehead, WE (2009). Parental worries and beliefs about abdominal pain. Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition, 48(3), 311–317.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.
