Abdominal pain, which is also often called as ‘Stomach ache, Tummy ache, Belly ache, etc’, spares no one! Sometime or the other, we have all experienced the agony of abdominal pain! Calling it stomach ache is actually a misnomer, because the abdomen, which extends from below your chest to your groin, contains many other important organs, as shown in the picture above. Pain in the abdomen can come from any one of them, and in rare cases, may originate from non-abdominal organs too, such as the chest or pelvic region organs!

The type and nature of pain is very critical to correct diagnosis of the condition. Abdominal pain can be mild or severe. It may be continuous or may come and go. It can be short-lived (acute) or occur over weeks and months (chronic). Severe pain doesn’t always mean a serious problem. Nor does mild pain mean a problem is not serious. When you visit your Doctor, try to give him clear details of the type of pain you are experiencing. There are different ways to describe pain in your abdomen:

• Generalized pain: This means that you feel it in more than half of your belly. This type of pain is more typical for a stomach virus, indigestion, or gas. If the pain becomes more severe, it may be caused by a blockage of the intestines
• Localized pain: This is pain found in only one area of your belly. It is more likely to be a sign of a problem in an organ, such as the appendix, gallbladder, or stomach
• Cramp-like pain: This type of pain is not serious most of the time. It is likely to be due to gas and bloating, and is often followed by diarrhoea
• Colicky pain: This type of pain comes in waves. It very often starts and ends suddenly, and is often severe. Kidney stones and gallstones are common causes of this type of belly pain

Abdominal pain has many potential causes. Many causes, such as gas pains, constipation, food allergy or a pulled muscle, aren’t serious, while other conditions like ulcers, appendicitis, kidney stone, bowel blockade, etc are very serious and require timely medical attention. At times, abdominal pain can occur due to issues with organs beyond the abdomen such as ectopic pregnancy, urinary tract infection, etc.

The key is to know when you need to get immediate medical care. Call your doctor right away if you have abdominal pain so severe that you can’t move without causing more pain, or you can’t sit still or find a comfortable position. Also, seek immediate medical help if pain is accompanied by other worrisome signs and symptoms, such as fever, bloody diarrhea or severe tenderness in your abdomen.

Some of the home care steps to ease mild abdominal pain include sipping water or other clear fluids. Avoiding solid food for the first few hours. Use of antacids for heartburn and indigestion. Use of electrolyte solution if you have lost plenty of fluid. Avoid pain killers and seek medical help.

Staying healthy is your responsibility. Despite all your hectic schedule and busy lifestyle, you need to take the time out for regular exercise. It is not only important for your abs and biceps, but equally important for the proper functioning of all the internal muscles too, including all the muscles of the abdomen. So do not miss out on your daily dose of exercise or yoga. Also pay attention to what you eat. Choose the right foods and the right quantity. Include fruits and vegetables daily in your meals. Cut out the fast food, spicy and oily food, alcohol, smoking, stress and other triggers of abdominal pain. Relax and enjoy the comfortable feeling of a happy abdomen.

0