Stomach pains? Huge diarrhea? Uncontrollable gas? Here are 10 of the most typical stomach problems, and suggestions from the pros on how to fix ’em.
Fast Solutions How to Get Rid of Abdominal Pain
1. Stop Diarrhea
The cause: A very common cause of diarrhea is mild food poisoning. And naturally, we’ve all heard of– or seasoned direct– Montezuma’s revenge: Traveling overseas can often bring on bouts of loose bowel movements, mostly because your body has to get used to the brand-new bacteria in the food and water you’re taking in while away from home.
The quick fix: For food poisoning, there is no fix aside from the passage of time. “You need to let your body flush itself of the contaminants,” states Amit Bhan, M.D., a gastroenterologist at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.
If diarrhea strikes at a moment when going to the bathroom is either troublesome (like during a crucial meeting) or if it’s so frequent that it keeps you from sleeping, Bahn suggests knocking back some Pepto-Bismol. The pink liquid is a remedy that will attack the diarrhea-causing bacteria in your system so you can sleep and function throughout the day. If you’re taking a trip overseas, take Imodium, which works by slowing down the speed at which fluids move from your intestinal tracts.
2. Fight Farts
The cause: Though a number of us attempt to stop or simply conceal our gas, it’s in fact one sign of a healthy body. According to Michael Wolfe, M.D., chief of gastroenterology at Boston University’s School of Medicine, gas is caused by two things: eating gas-forming foods such as green veggies, fruits with peels on them, carbonated drinks, cabbage, and beans; or swallowing air. “People [take in additional air] when they drink with straws, talk with their mouths complete, or eat too quick, or when they’re nervous,” Wolfe states.
The fast fix: If you have a gas issue, take an over the counter anti-gas drug like Mylanta Gas. Beano, Wolfe states, is another great product, specifically if veggies aren’t friendly to your system. Beano works by breaking down raffinose, a sugar by-product in plants that can be a bugger for many people to absorb.
3. Alleviate Cramps
The cause: Sure, you anticipate cramps around the time of your period, but what about the month-to-month rounds of nausea, indigestion, and diarrhea?
Nancy Cossler, an obstetrician and gynecologist at University Hospital’s Case Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio, says it’s pretty regular for your whole stomach to go haywire around the time you’re menstruating.
“Hormones cause contractions of the uterine muscle, which causes cramping,” she says. “It’s entirely normal if your stomach cramps, triggering an upset stomach or diarrhea [around your period]”.
The fast fix: To reduce cramps and decrease bleeding, take an Advil or Ibuprofen 12 to 24 hours prior to you’re expecting your period, Cossler states. Then take the prescribed amount every 3 to six hours for three days.
4. Get rid of Bloating
The cause: No one likes feeling two to five pounds much heavier– particularly when it means no more fitting into skinny denims. Though frustrating, bloating is not a huge cause for alarm.
“Don’t be too concerned about [bloating],” states David C. Metz, M.D., a teacher of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. “Anything from menstruation to constipation can cause it.”
The quick fix: Try to keep away from salt, because it makes you retain water, and prevent foods that cause gas– such as beans, broccoli, and cauliflower. As long as you’ve dismissed lactose intolerance, try eating yogurt with “live and active cultures” (try to find this expression on the label), which can help control your digestive system.
5. Rid Yourself of Reflux
The cause: “This condition often hits at night, when you’re in the lying-down position,” states Minh Nguyen, M.D., of Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. Reflux happens when acid travels from the stomach to the esophagus and throat; unlike heartburn, it can give you pain in your chest, a sore throat, or bouts of coughing.
The fast fix: Nguyen advises a prescription medicine or an over-the-counter antacid like Prilosec. If you do not wish to rely on drugs, cut down on the recognized provocateurs: drinking, smoking cigarettes, and eating late at night.
6. Never ever Be Nauseated
The cause: If you’ve ruled out pregnancy, you don’t have to be stuck with an indigestion.
The quick fix: A simple cure might be awaiting you in your spice rack: Ginger root has a long history of being used effectively as a remedy for an indigestion. The factor ginger works so well for digestion has actually never ever been specifically determined, but some say it works by speeding up the pace at which food moves into the small intestine from the stomach.
“[When] I’ve consumed too much and feel nauseated, I’ll have ginger tea to relieve my stomach,” says Charlene Prather, M.D., an associate professor of gastroenterology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. It’s actually simple making– I just grate fresh ginger in water and add a little honey and it takes care of it,” she says.
7. Knock Out Heartburn
The cause: Unruly stomach acid backing up into your throat. Eating hot foods before bed is a common culprit, as are eating too much or too fast, cigarette smoking, and imbibing greatly. However often almost anything can make you feel the burn.
The fast fix: “When I have heartburn, I drink a glass of milk,” says Jeffry A. Katz, M.D., a gastroenterologist at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland. “Milk reduces the effects of the acid produced by the stomach,” he states.
8. Reduce After-Eating Pain
The cause: eating too fast or too much, or eating the incorrect thing.
The quick fix: Cut out fast food, and eat more slowly. If you’re not a junk-food addict and are still feeling pain after a meal, you could have gallbladder disease. “Women regularly than men get it, and some get gall stones for no factor,” says Francisco Marrero, M.D., a gastroenterologist at the Cleveland Clinic. See your doctor for further treatment.
9. Suppress Constipation
The cause: According to the professionals, one of the greatest stomach myths is that you have to go second 3 times a day to have healthy bowels. The truth? Everybody poops, however not with the same frequency.
Constipation is typical in women, states Irwin Grosman, M.D., gastroenterology chief at Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn. “There’s a theory that there’s a hormone difference in between males and females and [that] women take longer to digest and remove food.”
The quick fix: If you don’t go every day, do not sweat it. And if you’re experiencing other stomach symptoms of constipation, such as bloating or gas, the easiest thing you can do is increase your fiber intake. Eat more vegetables and fruits, entire grains and beans, and kick-start your day with a high-fiber cereal. Inactivity can sometimes cause constipation, too. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise daily, and keep yourself hydrated.
If all that doesn’t keep things moving, try a gentle non-prescription laxative like Metamucil.
10. Cravings Pangs
The cause: The digestive system’s natural contractions are felt more severely on an empty stomach. Without food, the stomach ends up being a sort of stomach echo chamber. Hunger pangs serve a handy function: They’re like a text message from the stomach to the brain indicating that it’s time to pursue nutrition.
The fast fix: Eat. However beware: In unusual cases an achy stomach might also indicate more than hunger. “Sometimes individuals notice a burning pain that improves when you eat,” says Mark Babyatsky, M.D., a gastroenterologist and assistant professor of medication at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. “That could be an ulcer. If it persists, see a physician. If you’ve always had it, it might be simply your hunger,” he states. Babyatsky recommends that you remain complete by eating more small meals throughout the day.
