Abdominal pain can be extremely uncomfortable, but it’s not always serious. It can be caused by various reasons, ranging from harmless gas to worrisome problems like appendicitis and diverticulitis.
Knowing what type of abdominal pain you’re dealing with can help you determine whether or not you need medical care right away or if your symptoms will subside on their own within the next few hours or days. Keep reading to find out more about the many causes of abdominal pain and the treatments available to alleviate them!
The Different Types of Abdominal Pain
There are several types of abdominal pain and each one has its own causes and treatment ways. The most common types of abdominal pain include stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea, constipation and gas.
- Stomach Cramps- Stomach cramps are the most common type of abdominal pain. These can be caused by a number of different things like overeating or eating certain foods like spicy foods or caffeine.
- Bloating- Bloats is another type of abdominal pain that is caused by the buildup of gas in the stomach or intestines which can be treated with over-the-counter medication.
- Diarrhea- Diarrhea is a type of abdominal pain that occurs when there’s too much fluid in the intestines.
- Constipation- Constipation is when there’s not enough fluid in the intestine which can cause painful bowel movements due to hard stools.
- Gas- Gas is built up air inside the stomach that often comes out as burps or flatulence, but sometimes it can cause painful bloating.
When you have abdominal pain, you can treat it yourself with some simple home remedies. These remedies work only if you have mild symptoms, but if you feel like abdominal pain has increased, consider showing it to your doctor immediately.
- Start with a warm bath or a hot shower to relax your muscles, then apply ice packs to your belly area for 15 minutes every hour for the first couple of days. After that, try taking hot baths instead of cold baths, and be sure to use Epsom salts in your water.
- If that doesn’t work, try eating more fiber foods like whole grains, beans, fruits and vegetables—especially ones high in antioxidants like blueberries and blackberries—and drinking plenty of water to help flush out any toxins that may be causing the problem. There are many more natural ways to treat your abdominal way, start with these now.
