Written by Stomach pain is one of the most common health troubles that people complain of. Generally, it subsides within a day or two; however, at times this pain can get debilitating to the core! And the worst – it may even disrupt regular activities and give mental agony. That’s when you shouldn’t wait—see a doctor right away.
When you consult a doctor in South Kensington, he will ask questions regarding which side the pain is being felt. Depending on your answers, he investigates the underlying causes by means of specific diagnostic tests. Below we have discussed some common reasons for stomach pain along with a list of few home remedies.
Left Side Stomach Pain: Why does it happen?
- Flatulence: It is one of the major contributors to left side stomach pain. Trapped intestinal gases lead to a sense of persistent discomfort and abdominal pain. Certain foods like legumes, lentils, cauliflower and aerated drinks can aggravate this issue.
- Indigestion or Acid Reflux: When food is not digested properly, the left side of your stomach will ache, giving rise to bloating and discomfort. In contrast, acid reflux happens when digestive acids flow back up into the food pipe, causing heartburn.
Serious Conditions
- Pancreatitis: In this the pancreas gets inflamed, characterised by an intense pain in the upper side of your left abdomen. The pain has a possibility of spreading to the dorsal side, especially after meals. Commonly triggered by untreated gallstones, systemic infections, etc.
- Kidney stones: If not diagnosed, kidney stones can lead to constant, sharp pain on the left side of your belly. This mainly depends on the location of the stones and while they move down through the urinary tract, intense cramps might be felt.
- Diverticulitis: This happens when small colon pouches (or diverticula) become inflamed or infected. The left side of the abdomen is mainly occupied by the descending colon and hence, you may get painful symptoms if it gets inflamed.
Causes of Right Side Stomach Pain: Explained
- Gas and constipation: If you do not clear your bowels regularly, the undigested material can lead to flatulence and continued stomach ache. People having IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) can also suffer from right side stomach pain.
- Muscle soreness or cramps: Overexertion or engagement in sudden, intense muscular movements of the abdomen can cause sharp pain or cramps. This mainly happens when a person does extreme abs workout – it strains the stomach muscles on the right side.
Serious Conditions
- Appendicitis: Inflammation of the appendix can cause acute right-sided abdominal pain. The appendix is a blind pouch attached to the lower side of large intestine. The pain first starts from the navel and then radiates out to the right side of your abdomen.
- Gallstones or gallbladder infection: Gallstones occur due to the accumulation of bile juice in the gall bladder. It is an organ situated on the right side of the abdomen, below the liver. These stones block the bile duct, incurring severe abdominal pain.
- Liver-related issues: The liver is the heaviest organ of the body, located on the upper right side of abdomen. However, it can be affected by various conditions. For example, fatty liver disease, hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, etc. An inflamed liver can cause a dull discomfort and sudden abdominal aches. Such a pain can deteriorate if you eat too oily foods and drink alcohol.
Top 10 home remedies to ease stomach pain
Not all stomach aches are serious and require medical assistance. Most of them are treatable at home – here is a list of tips that can help.
- Warm Compress: Applying a warm compress or rolling a hot water bottle over the pain region can effectively soothe cramps. The warmth generated is beneficial to relax abdominal muscles, thus mitigating pain. However, do keep the temperate moderate in order to prevent burns.
- Peppermint Tea: It is a widely used remedy to resolve digestive issues. Having peppermint tea relaxes the inflamed muscles of the digestive system by inducing wind-passing.
- Ginger Tea: Ginger has natural anti-inflammatory properties that help to treat nausea, indigestion, and flatulence. You can either make ginger tea or chew a small piece of freshly sliced ginger.
- Plenty of water: Sip water throughout the day to hydrate your body. In case you suffer from excessive stomach pain, lukewarm water is the best. It will aid in brushing the undigested remnants down through the intestines and ease the gas pressure.
- Light foods that are easy to digest: Heavy foods are often responsible for inducing stomach pain and indigestion. So, it is better to have light meals in small portions at regular intervals. Examples of foods that are quick to digest are: parboiled rice, ripe bananas, fresh salad, curd, etc.
- Chamomile Tea: Chamomile is popular for its soothing properties. Adding it in tea can relax the digestive tract muscles and reduce gas pressure. Also, it is beneficial in releasing stress and anxiety, which are prime contributors to stomach pain.
- Gentle workouts: Body movements stimulate every muscle group, including the abdomen. Thus, they can aid in digestion. However, you must not overexert yourself as that can lead to more harm than good.
- Fennel Seeds: It is a medicinal herb and has been used for ages to improve digestive function. Chewing a few fennel seeds after meals can relieve stomach pain and bloating. Another way to use: Mix them in plain warm water and drink it off. Your constipation will go away!
- Lemon Water: Drinking warm lemon water on an empty stomach aids in digestion; relieving intestinal cramps. The acidic nature of lemon stimulates the secretion of digestive juices, promoting better digestion. And the warm water helps to pass trapped gases out.
- Probiotics: These are live strains of good bacteria and yeasts that promote gut health. Strains namely, lactobacillus and bifidobacterium, have exhibited positive results in controlling frequency of digestive tract infections. Below are some common probiotics sources.
- Curd
- Fermented buttermilk
- Tofu
- Kombucha
When to consider your stomach pain as urgent?
If you suffer from the following symptoms, seek immediate medical help.
- Severe or persistent pain: If stomach pain lasts for several days and deteriorates with every passing time, it may be indicative of appendicitis or a gastric ulcer.
- Pain associated with fever: This is a sign of digestive tract inflammation or infection, and must be addressed immediately to the doctor.
- Blood stools and vomiting: This is serious concern, denoting bleeding in the digestive tract.
- Breathing problems and chest pain: This could potentially be a sign of a cardiac attack. Prompt medical diagnosis is required to treat such a case.
- Abnormal changes in regular bowel movements: If you face sudden, changes in bowel habits without any specific reason for several days, it may indicate an underlying digestive issue.
- Unexplained weight loss: If you are losing weight without any significant body exertion, it can signal a grave underlying condition. For example, gastrointestinal cancer.
Conclusion
Stomach pain, whether on the right or left side, is often manageable with home remedies. However, if the pain persists for long and gradually turns out severe, knock at the doctor’s door. Feel free to consult with a private gp in South Kensington and obtain the much-needed personalised care to effectively manage your issue!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can stress cause stomach pain?
Yes, it can. Stress can trigger stomach pain through indigestion, and bloating. In worst cases, it can cause gastric ulcers, too.
Why do I get stomach pain after meals?
The probable causes are overeating, specific food intolerances, and constipation. Sometimes, certain conditions such as gastritis and acid reflux can also be responsible.
Is intermittent stomach pain normal?
Yes, it is and the main causes are trapped gas, bloating and existing digestive issues. It is better to consult a doctor timely and address your issues.
Can certain foods cause stomach pain?
Foods that are too much spicy and oily can trigger stomach aches. Sometimes, dairy products also irritate the stomach lining, leading to discomfort and pain.
What to do if I get stomach pain is and nausea, both?
It is indicative of a digestive tract issue, requiring medical attention. Rest, enough hydration, and light meals can solve a lot. However, for persistent symptoms, a doctor consultation becomes essential.
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