Abdominal Pain: Effective Treatments for Relieving Gut Ache

Common Causes of Abdominal Pain

You might have felt a tummy ache after eating a heavy, greasy meal, consuming overly spicy foods, dealing with abdominal infections or diarrhoea, or when feeling bloated with gas.

Your gut is called the second brain, and for good reason. Any discomfort in your tummy should not be ignored; it is your body’s way of telling you that there’s something that needs your attention.

Did you know that an imbalance in your gut can also impact your brain? This fascinating connection happens through the gut-brain axis – a complex network connecting your digestive system and brain. Read more about it here.

Let us look at some common causes of abdominal pain.

1. Digestive Issues

Digestion-related problems that lead to abdominal pain are:

a) Indigestion (Dyspepsia):

• Indigestion can stem from overeating, consuming spicy foods, introducing new ingredients in your diet, or even stress.

b) Gas and Bloating:

• When gas builds up, the trapped air puts pressure on the walls of the intestines, causing a feeling of fullness and pain.

c) Constipation:

• Difficulty in passing stools can cause your abdomen to become distended. When you strain to pass stools, it puts added stress on the abdomen, increasing abdominal discomfort and pain.

2. Gastrointestinal Disorders

Apart from the common digestive issues and gas, more serious disorders of the gut can also lead to abdominal pain. Here are a few of them:

a) Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS):

• IBS may lead to mixed symptoms of diarrhoea and constipation and makes your gut very sensitive, leading to pain and discomfort.

b) Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD):

• GERD is caused by the backflow of the stomach contents into the oesophagus, causing heartburn, chest pain, nausea and belching.

3. Food Intolerances and Allergies

Intolerance to certain foods like dairy, gluten, and so on, as well as allergies to certain foods, can cause abdominal pain along with other symptoms affecting the gut, such as bloating, gas, and cramps.

According to PubMed, abdominal pain is one of the immediate symptoms of gastrointestinal hypersensitivity.

4. Infections

Bacterial or viral infections of the gut, known as the stomach flu or gastroenteritis, can cause inflammation, leading to cramps, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can also result in pain in lower abdominal pain.

5. Serious Conditions

More serious conditions which cause gut aches and require immediate medical care include:

a) Appendicitis:

• Inflammation of the appendix causes pain that starts in the middle of the abdomen, around your belly button and shifts to the lower right side of your abdomen.

b) Gallstones:

• Hardened bile forms stone-like structures in your gallbladder, a small organ situated beneath the liver. It may cause a sharp pain (biliary colic) in the right upper abdomen, just below the ribs.

c) Peptic Ulcers:

• Sores can form in the stomach and duodenum (first part of the small intestine) for many reasons, such as infections or medications. They cause burning pain in the upper abdomen, between your chest and belly button.

Home Remedies for Gut Ache Relief

Wondering if you can soothe a gut ache naturally at home? Here are some expert-recommended tips for you to try out:

1. Adjust Your Diet

• If your digestion isn’t feeling quite right, try bland foods like well-cooked rice, bananas, and applesauce. These easy-to-digest options can ease the strain on your digestive system and help in faster healing.
• Avoid foods that may cause irritation, such as spicy, oily, and acidic foods.

2. Herbal Remedies

• Certain herbs, when brewed to make herbal teas or added to your meals, can help soothe your gut and enhance digestion.
• Ginger is known for its carminative effect and ability to reduce intestinal cramping, dyspepsia, flatulence, and bloating. Chewing on fresh ginger or drinking ginger tea can help reduce abdominal pain and discomfort.
• Peppermint can reduce abdominal pain and other gut-related conditions like IBS. 

3. Stay Hydrated

• Drink plenty of water to support digestion and prevent dehydration if you suffer from diarrhoea.
• Drink herbal teas like fennel, coriander, or chamomile to soothe and support your gut and help it heal faster.

4. Warm Compress

• A heating pad or warm towel placed over the abdomen can relax the abdominal muscles and reduce cramps.
• Heat causes your blood vessels to dilate, which allows more blood flow to your gut and accelerates recovery.

5. Gentle Exercise

• Simple and easy exercises like walking, yoga, or stretching can stimulate digestion and aid in the passage of stools and gas, relieving constipation and gas-related pain.
• Ayurveda explains that a person should walk 100 steps after dinner to stimulate the Agni (digestive strength) and aid in better digestion.

Over-the-Counter Medications

Are home remedies not providing relief from your abdominal pain? If so, you might want to try some medications that are easily available at stores and do not require a doctor’s prescription. These medicines are considered safe for short-term use. These can offer significant relief from pain and discomfort and help you feel better.

1. For Gas and Bloating

• Any product containing Simethicone as an active ingredient helps relieve symptoms of gas, such as bloating, abdominal cramping and a sensation of fullness. The medicine helps break down gas bubbles in the gut, making it pass easily through the body without causing any discomfort.

2. For Heartburn and Indigestion

• Heartburn, regurgitation of food, and sour belching caused by acid reflux can be treated effectively using antacids. These medicines contain alkaline substances which neutralise stomach acids.
• For long-lasting relief, you can consider using H2 blockers (e.g., ranitidine) or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs, e.g., omeprazole), which work by reducing the production of stomach acid and preventing undesirable symptoms for longer.

3. For Constipation

• Constipation can result in abdominal pain due to the buildup of hard and dry waste in the intestine. If you are experiencing less frequent bowel movements or pass stools with difficulty, laxatives can help by making bowel movements easier.

Laxatives are of different types:

1. Bulk-forming laxatives contain fibres that increase the bulk of stools, making them easier to pass.
2. Stool softeners increase the water content in stools, making them less hard and easier to pass.
3. Stimulant laxatives act on the nerves and speed up bowel movements.

4. For Diarrhoea

If abdominal pain is caused by diarrhoea, antidiarrheal medications that slow down intestinal movement, such as loperamide (Imodium), can be used.

5. For Pain Relief

To manage abdominal pain, use acetaminophen (paracetamol). Avoid using NSAIDs like ibuprofen or aspirin, as these can irritate the lining of your stomach.

When to Seek Medical Attention

If your abdominal pain and discomfort are not getting better with home remedies or over-the-counter medications, it may be an indicator of a more serious underlying health issue, which may worsen and even become life-threatening if left untreated. Seek medical attention in the following situations:

• Pain lasting for more than 24 hours or getting worse, even with home remedies and over-the-counter medications.
• Sudden and severe abdominal pain.
• Presence of blood in stool, urine, or vomit.
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice).
• High fever and chills.
• Pain localised to specific areas, such as the right lower abdomen (may indicate appendicitis) or right upper abdomen (may indicate gallstones).
• Inability to pass stool, gas, or urine.

Preventing Future Gut Aches

Many treatment approaches are available to address abdominal pain, ranging from simple and effective home remedies to advanced medical interventions like surgeries.

But why undergo treatments when you can prevent abdominal pain in the first place? Enhancing and maintaining your gut health not only reduces the chances of abdominal pain but also supports your overall well-being. 

Here are some methods that can help you prevent gut-related issues:

1. Maintain a Balanced Diet

Stick to a balanced diet rich in fibre-rich foods such as whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables. Limit the intake of processed foods as they contain less fibre and nutrients.

Dietary fibres enhance gut motility and prevent constipation, support the gut microflora, and reduce gut inflammation.

2. Stay Active

Staying physically active improves your overall gut health. Exercising improves intestinal motility, stimulates digestion, and promotes faster healing. Low-intensity exercises like walking, cycling, and swimming can be beneficial in improving gut health.

3. Manage Stress

Your mind and gut are interconnected through a complex bi-directional pathway called the gut-brain axis. Practising techniques to relieve stress, such as yoga, meditation, and mindfulness, can help prevent stress-induced gut issues.

4. Monitor Food Sensitivities

If you are sensitive to certain foods, monitor them carefully. Keep a diary to identify and avoid trigger foods. Be cautious while trying out new cuisines or adding new ingredients to your diet.

5. Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated supports gut health and prevents constipation. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Keep a water bottle handy while you go outside. You can also enjoy herbal teas made from digestion-promoting herbs like ginger, fennel, coriander and so on.

Wrapping Up

The causes of abdominal pain are diverse – it can be something as minute as indigestion, gas, or food sensitivities or more serious medical conditions such as infections, inflammations or obstructions.

We have seen how important understanding the cause of abdominal pain is in choosing the right treatment. Methods like dietary changes, home remedies, and over-the-counter medications can provide relief from gut aches and discomfort.

If you notice the pain worsening or other unusual symptoms accompanying it, it may be an indicator of more serious health conditions that require immediate medical attention.

Need support and guidance to manage gut health issues? Get in touch with our experienced Ayurveda and Yoga practitioners at Nirva Health for professional and personalised treatment plans.