What is Good for Stomach Pain? How to Relieve Stomach Pain?

Stomach pain is a common health issue that frequently presents in emergency departments and can be experienced by anyone from time to time. If the pain lasts for less than a week, it is classified as acute stomach pain; if it persists longer, it is considered chronic stomach pain. Although stomach pain can often arise from simple and temporary factors, in some cases, it may indicate serious health problems. Conditions such as peptic ulcers, gastritis, duodenitis, appendicitis, intestinal obstruction, and hernias can lead to complaints of stomach pain. The timing of the pain, its location, radiating patterns, other symptoms accompanying the stomach pain, as well as situations like diarrhea and constipation, should be evaluated. Diagnosis is made following these assessments, along with tests and imaging studies. However, a diagnosis cannot be established for a large majority of stomach pain cases. There are many methods that may help relieve stomach pain, but these methods should be used as supportive treatments after consulting with healthcare professionals. Some of these methods include applying a hot water bottle, consuming herbal teas, practicing relaxing exercises, and establishing a healthy eating routine.

What Are the Causes of Stomach Pain?

• Stomach pain is a symptom that arises due to disorders of the organs located in the abdominal area. Therefore, it can occur due to many different causes. Although the causes of stomach pain may vary from person to person, some fundamental causes can be mentioned as follows:
• The most common cause of acute stomach pain is appendicitis. Often, loss of appetite accompanies stomach pain caused by this condition.
• In the case of peptic ulcers, the patient may experience a stabbing pain in the area just below the chest and immediately above the stomach.
• With gastroenteritis, cramp-like abdominal pain may develop, accompanied by abnormal intestinal movements before diarrhea attacks.
• The abdominal pain symptom associated with cholecystitis often begins after a heavy meal and radiates to the back.
• Abdominal pain caused by pancreatitis radiates to the lower back, and patients try to bend forward to reduce the pain.
• Familial Mediterranean fever, an autosomal inherited disease, may cause abdominal pain and fever lasting 3-4 days.
• Acute intestinal ischemia, resulting from a sudden decrease or cut in blood flow to the intestines, can lead to abdominal pain.
• Ectopic pregnancy is among the causes of sudden abdominal pain.
• In individuals with pelvic inflammatory disease, bilateral abdominal pain can occur, especially on the right side, which may be confused with appendicitis.
• Urinary tract infections are conditions accompanied by abdominal pain symptoms.
• Severe abdominal pain may occur due to stones and calcium deposits in the kidneys and urinary tract. Nausea and vomiting are typically accompanying symptoms of abdominal pain.
• Diarrhea and constipation are common causes of abdominal pain.
• In women, the most frequent causes of abdominal pain are menstruation, ovarian cysts, and childbirth.
• Acute diverticulitis, common in elderly patients, is characterized by nausea, vomiting, and lower abdominal pain near the groin.
• Abdominal pain can occur in cases of viral hepatitis and liver infections.
• Metabolic causes include Addison's crisis, diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperlipidemia, and hyperparathyroidism.
• Hematological disorders, such as acute leukemia, sickle cell anemia crises, and hemolytic anemia, frequently present with abdominal pain.
• Lead toxicity, sudden withdrawal from narcotic drugs, insect bites, and osteomyelitis can also be counted among the causes.
• Patients with immunodeficiency, those receiving chemotherapy for cancer, and individuals taking immunosuppressive medications may experience abdominal pain.
• Depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and a history of sexual harassment can contribute to abdominal pain.
• A diet rich in lactose, fructose, and sorbitol may lead to the progression of irritable bowel syndrome, resulting in abdominal pain.

What Are the Symptoms of Stomach Pain?

Stomach pain can indicate a simple discomfort or point to a serious condition. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate the symptoms of stomach pain carefully. If one or more symptoms persist for an extended period, medical advice should be sought. These symptoms can be listed as follows:

Stomach pain can manifest in many different forms. It may be concentrated in a specific area or radiate elsewhere. Pain types include aching, stabbing, cramping, and pressure sensations.
Stomach pain is often accompanied by symptoms of nausea and vomiting. Particularly, abdominal pain related to gastrointestinal diseases develops with these symptoms.
Diarrhea and constipation can herald stomach pain due to digestive system disorders.
High fever may develop due to infections and inflammation.
Among the symptoms that require immediate medical attention is the presence of blood in urine or stool.
Swelling and discomfort in the abdominal area can also be considered symptoms.

What Are the Types of Stomach Pain?

Stomach pain is a short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic) discomfort that nearly everyone experiences at certain times in their life. These pains can arise from many different causes and symptoms. Based on these differences, abdominal pains can fundamentally be categorized into three main types: visceral pain, somatic parietal pain, and referred pain. The details of these pain types are as follows:

Visceral Pain
This type of pain arises from the stimulation of visceral receptors by various stimuli. It is generally felt in the midline of the abdominal area, in the epigastrium just below the chest, in the periumbilical area around the navel, or in the lower abdomen, where the exact location of the pain may be difficult to determine. The reason for the inability to precisely analyze the pain region is due to the low number of visceral nerve endings. Accompanying symptoms of visceral abdominal pain may include sweating, restlessness, pallor, nausea, and vomiting. Individuals experiencing visceral pain are often in a constant state of movement in an attempt to alleviate the pain. Visceral pain can be further divided into three different groups:

• Tension-type pain: This type of pain develops due to peristaltic movements and is also known as colicky pain. It is a deep pain whose exact localization is not easily determined. Patients tend to move continuously to relieve the pain. Conditions like constipation, gastroenteritis, and acute pancreatitis can be included in this pain group.
• Inflammatory pain: Like tension-type pain, this is also a deep pain that cannot be precisely localized. It usually arises from inflammations occurring in the peritoneum (the internal lining of the abdomen). Unlike tension-type pain, patients with inflammatory pain tend to lie still.
• Ischemic pain: Although this type of pain is the least common, it is the most serious. It presents as sudden, severe, and progressively persistent pain. Unlike other abdominal pains, it does not improve with pain relief medications.

Somatic Parietal Pain
This type of pain arises due to the stimulation and irritation of the peritoneum that lines the inner surface of the abdomen. It is felt suddenly and sharply following stimulation. It is more intense and can be located more precisely than visceral pain. When asked, patients can often indicate the exact location of the pain. They prefer to remain still due to the belief that movement will intensify the pain. Examples of somatic parietal pain can include the pains experienced in conditions like cholecystitis and appendicitis.

Referred Pain
Referred pain is defined as pain felt at a location distant from the affected organ. Referred pain can be felt in the skin or deeper tissues, but its location is usually easily identifiable. It arises when visceral stimulation becomes more intense.

What Helps Relieve Stomach Pain?

When evaluating stomach pain, the most important points are to take an effective medical history for early and accurate diagnosis and to perform a physical examination. During the treatment phase, it is essential for gastroenterologists to work simultaneously with psychiatry and pain clinics in a multidisciplinary approach.

The cause of abdominal pain is diagnosed using a complete blood count, stool analysis, various imaging tests, liver function tests, TSH measurements, computed tomography, and gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures. Based on the diagnosis, the most suitable treatment methods are determined by specialized physicians.

In cases of abdominal pain, many non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin types of medications used indiscriminately do not provide relief from pain. Narcotic medications, on the other hand, can cause abdominal pain with chronic use. However, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can be beneficial in relieving abdominal pain.

What Home Remedies Can Be Applied for Stomach Pain?

There are many methods and applications that may help with stomach pain. However, these methods and applications can vary from person to person, depending on the cause and severity of the pain. Home remedies for abdominal pain include:

• Resting in a stress-free environment
• Taking a warm shower, using a warm towel, and applying a hot water bottle
• Consuming relaxing herbal teas like peppermint, fennel, and linden
• Engaging in gentle exercises, such as walking and yoga
• Drinking plenty of water
• Establishing a balanced and healthy eating routine

When Should You See a Doctor for Stomach Pain?

Although stomach pain may appear to be a simple symptom, it can be a sign of a serious health issue. Therefore, in some cases, urgent medical intervention and specialist consultation are required. Situations that necessitate seeing a doctor for abdominal pain include:

• Severe and sudden onset of abdominal pain
• Accompanying symptoms such as high fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or blood in stool and urine
• Suspected conditions like gallbladder disease or appendicitis
• Experiencing severe abdominal pain during pregnancy
• Weight loss accompanying chronic abdominal pain
• Frequent and prolonged abdominal pain, which requires immediate consultation with a healthcare facility.

Abdominal pain can be a health issue that negatively impacts a person's daily life, work performance, and academic success, depending on its severity or frequency. Therefore, it should not be ignored. If you are complaining of frequently recurring abdominal pain, you should consult a healthcare facility to speak with specialized physicians.