Types of abdominal pain
While common stomach pain is a benign and completely reversible condition (sometimes even spontaneously), its pathological variant reflects more serious disorders, such as to even endanger the patient's own life. Precisely because of this diversity, it is necessary to clarify and know how to distinguish moderate stomach pain from morbid one, recognizing which are the spy symptoms that require immediate medical intervention.
Clearly, a single episode of stomach ache, as well as an abdominal pain that recurs punctually during the menstrual flow, should not be too frightening: in such circumstances, in fact, the stomach ache tends to ease gradually, in a short period, through simple dietary-behavioral precautions.
On the other hand, a stomach ache that is acute or concentrated in a specific point of the abdomen can be a clear alarm signal about the malfunction of the intestine or other abdominal organs.
- But how should you intervene in the presence of stomach ache?
The table shows some remedies or tricks useful to speed up the healing of the different forms of stomach pain (common and pathological).
Common stomach ache
COMMON STOMACHACHE
- Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Antibiotics are recommended for bacterial infections, while antivirals are recommended for viral gastroenteritis
- Supporting antibiotic therapy with a probiotic is a useful remedy for strengthening the immune system
- It is recommended to drink plenty of water - possibly associated with mineral salts - to avoid dehydration
- Apply a hot water bag to the abdomen
- Immerse yourself in warm water
- If necessary, supplement the diet with a supplementation of vitamins and minerals (especially calcium, magnesium, potassium)
- Drink hot liquids (broth, milk, decaffeinated tea, soups)
- Prepare herbal teas formulated with chamomile, lemon balm, yarrow, potentilla or other drugs with an antispastic and relaxing action, useful for relieving stomach ache dependent on menstruation
- Do not go to bed immediately after a meal
- Take a walk
- Take digestive herbal teas
- If necessary, take antacids
- Eating properly is the only useful remedy to relieve stomach ache due to prolonged fasting; the reintroduction of food must however be gradual
- To facilitate the removal of stomach ache, herbal teas with an antispastic and relaxing action are recommended
- Remove all lactose-containing foods from the diet
- Following a gluten-free diet is the only remedy to prevent stomach ache and all other symptoms related to celiac disease.
- Gently massage the baby's tummy
- Avoid feeding the newborn with cow's milk when the stomach ache depends on a "lactose intolerance or a" milk protein allergy (in this case, use hypoallergenic formulas of protein hydrolysates)
- Rock the baby and try to reassure him
- Singing a melody and turning on the stereo can calm the baby's crying
- Stress stomach ache is treatable by removing the tensions and anxieties that daily cause distress and agitation. Some remedies particularly suitable for the treatment of stomach ache from stress are sports activities, yoga and pilates courses
Pathological abdominal pain
Pathological abdominal pain is more difficult to combat, given that a more serious and important disease arises at the base. The table shows the most used therapeutic strategies for the treatment of the underlying disease, which are consequently useful for warding off stomach ache.
PATHOLOGICAL STOMACH PAIN
- The only remedy to cure appendicitis abdominal pain is the surgical removal of the appendix. After the operation, the abdominal pain disappears completely.
- Only some forms of bellyache from appendicitis (mild) can be cured through dietary corrections (the right amount of water and fiber) and pharmacological (laxatives for the regularization of the alvus).
- Drinking a lot of water helps to dilute the mineral salts present in the urine: such an attitude favors the spontaneous elimination of smaller stones and, with them, also the symptoms (including stomach ache). "water) is contraindicated in cases of medium and large stones
- Cook food with a little salt
- Prefer low-mineral or minimally mineralized waters to limit the intake of sodium and salts
- Immersing yourself in a tub of very hot (almost boiling) water is an effective remedy to relieve the spastic contraction of smooth muscles, hence the stomach ache, which characterizes colic.
- Cholecystitis stomach ache must be treated with the hospitalization of the patient
- The abdominal pain is such as to require hospitalization
- It is possible to treat the underlying pathology and symptoms (stomach ache in particular) by means of a specific drug treatment: antibiotics and painkillers are the most suitable drugs
- Surgical therapy is indicated in severe diverticulitis (excision of the intestinal area affected by diverticulitis)
- Do not drink alcohol, coffee, tea, fizzy drinks
- If necessary, take plant extracts that stimulate intestinal function (laxatives)
- Eat a healthy and balanced diet, with a balanced intake of fiber
- Targeted antibiotic therapy is usually sufficient to completely eradicate the infection and, with it, all other symptoms (stomach ache, pain and burning when urinating, etc.)
- Support antibiotic treatment with probiotic therapy, aimed at strengthening the immune defenses
- Drink lots of fluids
- Take diuretic-spasmolytic herbal teas to relieve stomach pain
- The pathological abdominal pain that characterizes inflammatory bowel disease is vague and generalized. Currently, there is no standard and universal treatment. NSAIDs, corticosteroids and immunosuppressants are the most suitable drugs to relieve symptoms
- To remove the stomach ache related to intestinal obstruction it is necessary to hospitalize the patient, who will then be adequately hydrated to correct dehydration.
- Application of the catheter to promote urine drainage
- Antibiotic cure
- If necessary, he intervenes with surgery
- Hospitalization is often necessary to relieve abdominal pain caused by pancreatitis
- Fasting for a short time (useful remedy for "inflaming" the pancreas)
- Do not take alcohol
- Intravenous hydration of the patient
- Administration of painkillers and corticosteroids to relieve and relieve pain
- Surgical intervention
- Administration of antibiotics
- Anticholinergic / antispasmodic drugs to reduce gastric secretion and intestinal motility also responsible for abdominal pain
- Tricyclic antidepressants, to combat stomach pain by acting on the mood
- Prokinetics (eg psyllium): drugs indicated to relieve stomach ache dependent on constipation
- Follow a "healthy and balanced diet, providing the right amount of fiber
- Drink at least two liters of water a day
- The only solution to cure the tumor - and with it also the stomach ache and all the other characteristic symptoms - is chemo-radiotherapy, possibly supported by a surgical removal of the tumor mass and surrounding tissue portions.
Pathological stomach pain should be considered a request for help sent by the body: clearly, in such circumstances, the main purpose of the intervention is to cure the problem that arises at the root, minimizing the risk of complications. underlying pathology will cause, consequently, the removal of the stomach ache.
Other articles on "Belly Pain - What To Do"
- Pathological Belly Pain
- Bellyache
