Abdominal pain and nausea: causes and treatments (2023)

Abdominal pain (also called abdominal pain or abdominal pain) is felt between the lower part of the ribs and the groin.

Nausea(also called an upset stomach, nausea, nausea) is a feeling that causes vomiting. More than 50% of adults report at least one episode of nausea in the previous year.

It's not uncommon for abdominal pain and nausea to occur together in conditions that cause an upset stomach, such asnorovirusLubfood poisoning. They can also be symptoms of mental illness, such as anxiety and side effectssome medications.

In this article, we will discuss the symptomscausestreatment and prevention of stomach pains and nausea, and when to see a doctor.

Symptoms of stomach pain and nausea

How abdominal pain and nausea feels depends on what is causing the symptoms.

Stomachachecan represent as:

• Localized pain: Perceptible in a specific area
• Generalized pain: Felt in more than half of the abdomen
• Colic pain: Pain that comes in waves often starts and ends suddenly
• Cramp-like pain: May experience gas pain or bloating followed by diarrhea

Abdominal pain can feel a variety of sensations, including dull, sharp, aching,smoking, biting, spasms, twisting or pricking.

Nausea can manifest as:

• The feeling that you are about to vomit or need to vomit
• An uneasy, uncomfortable feeling in the upper abdomen, chest, or back of the throat
• Retching (repeated rhythmic contractions of the abdominal and respiratory muscles) and/or vomiting

Nausea may be accompanied by other symptoms such as increased salivation, sweating,dizziness,dizzinessswallowing problems, changes in skin temperature and rapid heartbeat.

What causes abdominal pain and nausea?

Abdominal pain and nausea are symptoms of many conditions. Some of the more common include:

• Viralgastroenteritis
• Food poisoning
• Pregnancy
• Bow
• Drug side effects
• Related to the heart
• Appendicitis
• Other diseases

Viral gastroenteritis

Often called the stomach flu orstomach errorgastroenteritis (gastroenteritis) can be caused by viruses such as:

• Noroviruses
• Rotaviruses

Viral gastroenteritis can cause symptoms such as:

• Nausea
• Stomachache
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
  

Symptoms of viral gastroenteritis usually start to go away within 24 hours.

Food poisoning

Food poisoningrefers to ingesting toxins from germs found in food that has been contaminated, not prepared safely, or left too long. It can cause nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and/or diarrhea, usually within hours of eating the affected food.

Symptoms of food poisoning usually go away within 12 to 48 hours.

Pregnancy

Many pregnant peoplefeel sickin the first 12 weeks of pregnancy or more.

Abdominal pain, especially severe, in early pregnancy may indicateectopicpregnancy (when a fertilized egg develops outside the womb, for example in the fallopian tube). It can be life threatening if left untreated.

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Anxiety, worry and stress can cause physical symptoms including nausea, abdominal pain,headachessweating and an accelerated heartbeat. These episodes are sometimes called panic attacks.

Both adults and children may experience abdominal pain and nausea due to anxiety. Over 10% of children haveupset stomach".

Drug side effects

Anti-inflammatory and painkillers such as Aspirin, Advil/Motrin (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen), may cause nausea and abdominal pain.

Chemotherapy (a type of cancer treatment) often causes nausea and vomiting. Radiation therapy (another cancer treatment) can also cause nausea and vomiting when applied to the brain, digestive tract or liver.

Nausea and/or abdominal pain can be side effects of several of themmedicines. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about side effects before starting treatment.

Bound to the heart

Sudden, intense chest pain is usually a symptom that people associate with a heart attack, but it can also be a symptommore subtleand progress more slowly, starting with mild pain or discomfort. Heart attacks can also cause less obvious symptoms, such as abdominal pain and nausea, especially in women.

Appendicitis

The appendix is ​​part of the large intestine.Appendicitisis when the appendix becomes infected and inflamed. If left untreated (usually by surgical removal), the appendix can rupture and be life-threatening.

Pain with appendicitis is usually low on the right side. A child with appendicitis may walk hunched over, won't (or can't) jump, and wants to lie still.

Other diseases

Stomach pain and nausea can be symptoms of several conditions, such as:

• Inflammation of the pancreas: Inflammation of the pancreas
• diverticulitis: Infection of small pockets in the large intestine
• Peptic ulcers:Woundsin the lining of the stomach and small intestine
• Gallstones: Hard stones in the gallbladder
• Kidney stones: Crystals that form in the urine and accumulate in the kidneys
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Chronic inflammation of the digestive tract, e.gCrohn'sdisease orulcerative colitis
• Abdominalmigraine: Episodes of abdominal pain and vomiting that start and end suddenly
• Gastritis: Inflammation of the gastric mucosa
• Hepatitis: Hepatitis

How to treat abdominal pain and nausea

Howstomachacheand nausea are managed depending on the cause. Talk to your doctor before starting treatment to make sure this is the right treatment for you and your condition.

Remedies for abdominal pain

Medicines

Depending on the cause of your abdominal pain, medications your doctor may recommend include:

• Antacids
• An anti-nausea drug
• Antispasmodics
• Laxatives
• Antibiotics
• Antidiarrheal
• Anti-flatulence drugs

Don't take aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs as they can irritate gastrointestinal problems.

Some medications that help with one cause of stomach pain canmake another worse. Before taking medications, including over-the-counter (OTC) medications, consult your physician.

Natural, homemade solutions

If a stomach bug or food poisoning causes abdominal pain, you can usually wait it out at home and take steps to make yourself more comfortable as it progresses. You can try:

• Avoiding solid foods for the first few hours
• Drinking water or other clear liquids
• Consuming small amountsmild foods
• Avoiding high-fat foods, fatty or fried foods, citrus fruits, tomato products, alcohol, caffeine, and carbonated drinks
• Taking a warm bath
• Using a hot water bottle on your stomach
• Lots of rest

If your abdominal pain is severe or could be due to something more serious, seek medical help, do not try to treat yourself at home.

Lifestyle changes

If you experience abdominal pain on a regular basis, talk to your doctor about managing or preventing abdominal paintummy troubles. This may include lifestyle changes such asby modifying your diet.

If you or your child experience abdominal pain with anxiety, relaxation and mindfulness exercises such as deep breathing can help.

Remedies for nausea

Medicines

Depending on what's causing your nausea, your doctor may recommend medications such as:

• Anti-nausea medications
• Anxiolytics
• Antihistamines
• Antiemetic drugs(to stop vomiting)

If you are dehydrated due to vomiting, you may need rehydration therapy with rehydration solution. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Consult your doctor before taking any medication, especially if you are pregnant.

Natural, homemade solutions

If your nausea is mild and doesn't require medical attention, you can try itfunds at homefeel more comfortable. It may be helpful to:

• Eat small meals of bland foods often
• Avoid foods and drinks that upset the stomach, such as spicy, fatty, or processed foods, and caffeinated beverages, such as cola or coffee
• Drink clear drinks such as chamomile teaginger teaor peppermint tea (consult your doctor before drinking herbal teas if you are pregnant)
• Eat foods containingrevive
• Avoid strong-smelling foods
• Avoid lying downright after eating
• Wear loose-fitting clothes that don't squeeze your stomach
• Distract yourself with something you enjoy, such as watching a movie or listening to music
• Get some fresh air
• Use relaxation and mindfulness exercises

Lifestyle changes

if youfeel sick on a regular basisYour health care professional may suggest speaking withgastroenterologistmental health professional, registered dietitian or other professional to investigate what causes nausea and how to deal with it.

What about small children?

There is abdominal pain and nauseaoften in childrenbut it is important to discover the causes of their symptoms. Check with your doctor to see if your child is showing symptoms that are of concern to you.

Always consult your doctor beforehandgiving your childabdominal pain and/or anti-nausea medications.

How to prevent stomach pains and nausea

Preventive measures can be takenthe spread of infectionsuch as norovirus, which can cause nausea.

• Wash your hands thoroughly and often, especially before cooking and eating, and after using the toilet
• Do not share items such as utensils or straws with others
• Stay home when you are sick

Protect yourself from food poisoning by:

• Compliance with the rules of safe storage and preparation of meals
• Look out for recalls and notices of outbreaks
• Avoiding food that is spoiled and/or expired

When to see a doctor

See your healthcare providerif it is not an emergency but you are experiencing:

• Abdominal pain that doesn't go away in 24 to 48 hours or soabdominal discomfortthat lasts a week or more
• Flatulencefor more than two days
• Diarrhea lasting more than five days
• Vomiting lasting more than 24 hours (12 hours for infants)
• Extendedpoor appetite
• Unexplained weight loss
  
• Difficulty swallowing food
• More frequent and/or painful urination
• Symptoms that keep coming back

summary

Abdominal pain is felt between the lower part of the ribs and the groin. Nausea is the feeling that you are about to vomit.

Abdominal pain and nausea are symptoms of several conditions such asviral gastroenteritis, food poisoning and anxiety. They can also be signs of a more serious problem, such as appendicitis or a heart attack.

Typically, abdominal pain and nausea caused by a stomach infection or food poisoning may occurbe managedat home with rest, fluids, and small, frequent meals.

If abdominal pain or nausea is severe or there are signs of a more serious medical condition, seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor before using medications for abdominal pain or nausea, especially if you haveyou're pregnantor the medicine is for a child.