Self Care

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Abdominal Pain

 

We all are aware of the kind of abdominal pain caused by an occasional attack of vomiting and diarrhea or stomach flu. But, abdominal pain can also point to many other conditions.

Most stomach aches in adults are from common problems like emotional distress, overeating, or the flu . If you are concerned about stomach pain you are experiencing, consult a physician.

Signs and Symptoms :

Pain that comes and goes for more than 4 weeks.

Sudden or sharp abdominal pain, lasting longer than 4 hours.

Abdominal pain and fever; jaundice; pale, pasty stools; or dark urine.

Constant abdominal pain after an injury or sudden black, tarry stools.

Abdominal pain and sudden bright red rectal bleeding or vomiting of blood or a substance that looks like coffee grounds.

Mild abdominal cramping associated with constipation.

Mild Abdominal Pain – Self Care :

Do not eat spicy foods.

Eat less solid food for several hours.

Use acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tempra or a generic) for pain relief. Do not give aspirin to children or teenagers.

Avoid irritants such as alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, aspirin, and ibuprofen.

Take warm baths.

Concerns for Children :

Like in adults, abdominal pain in children can have many different causes. Majority of them are caused by constipation or overheating. Sometimes, they may have stomach ache right before getting a cold, a sore throat, or flu. This is because the digestive tract is sensitive to emotions, children may get tummy aches when they are feeling stress or anxiety. Putting a child’s mind at ease may ease the stomach pains. We should also have some concern about the diet of the children. Some studies say too much fruit or fruit juice can cause abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Intolerance to dairy products, wheat, eggs, or other foods may also be the cause.