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Illness

What’s up with that stomach ache?

September 05, 2017

stomach ache

What’s up with that stomach ache?

It’s all too easy to blame that stomach ache on bad take out from last night. Or, possibly, that ominous rumbling in your stomach is the result of eating too much ice cream. Like so many of us, you might think that most stomach issues are because of eating the wrong things or getting too stressed at work.

When your stomach hurts, you feel miserable and can make everyone around you feel miserable. Keeping a few helpful things in mind will allow you to get through your abdominal pain with little fuss. You should always consider a few important things before relying completely on home remedies.

What causes this awful stomach pain, anyway?

Stomach pain and abdominal pain, unfortunately, have many causes. Likely suspects are indigestion, stomach viruses, or constipation. Women sometimes have abdominal pain at “that time of the month.” Food poisoning is also a possibility, making theories about “bad take out” more plausible. More serious causes might include gallstones, hernias, or even appendicitis.

Finding the culprit

In order to pinpoint the problem, your doctor will need to obtain your medical history and perform a thorough physical exam. Additionally, a doctor in an urgent care facility may choose to order an X-ray, some blood tests, or, depending on the location of the pain, imaging, such as an ultrasound or a CT scan.

Treatment options

If the doctor determines that your discomfort is the result of a simple case of indigestion, an over the counter medicine like milk of magnesia should clear you right up. However, if your issue is more chronic, your healthcare provider may recommend some dietary changes.

Consume food as part of several smaller meals, instead of three big meals. It is much easier for your digestive system to handle smaller portions. Also, be sure to avoid fried or spicy food, both of which can cause painful acid reflux.

Drink plenty of water to ward off dehydration. Also, limit your alcohol consumption, which not only causes further dehydration but sometimes irritates the digestive tract.

Further ways to comfort yourself

When your pain is at its worst, a heating pad might help a lot, with minimal effort on your part. Just use caution if you’re tired and might end up nodding off – you don’t want to burn yourself.

Also, find ways to reduce the stress that can further aggravate your abdominal pain. Yoga, meditation and low-intensity exercise can help.

If you experience stomach pain, don’t worry. You don’t have to suffer. Head over to Innovative Express Care, where we can help you get to the root of your pain and feeling better with our wide range of diagnostic services and treatment options.

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