Stomach Pain: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

Pain in the abdomen can be caused due to a variety of reasons and should not be taken lightly. The reasons behind the pain can vary from food poisoning, menstrual cramps, an infection, a growth in the abdomen, extreme acidity, or any gastrointestinal disorders. This is why the range of treatment for abdominal pain also varies just as much. The most effective course of treatment depends on the causes of the pain.

One of the most common treatment courses for any type of pain is pain killers. If your pain is caused by menstruation, or any muscular cramps, getting some over the counter pain relievers can help treat the pain in no time. However, if the pain is caused due to a medical condition, then it is likely to occur again and again even after you take the pain medications. This is because the condition has to be treated in order for the pain to disappear.

Whether you are suffering from an infection that is caused by a virus, bacteria, or fungi, antibiotics are the right course of treatment for the pain. They help clear up the infection and thus also treat the pain. If you have any growths in your abdomen, your doctor will prescribe medications to help shrink the growth, or will advise you to undergo surgery in order to have the whole thing removed. The treatment plan in this case depends on how large the growth is, where it is located, and whether or not it is cancerous.

When you first start experiencing pain, visiting a general physician is the right way to go about treating it as they can let you know whether the pain is referral or caused by an underlying condition. Based on the diagnosis, you may have to then visit a gastroenterologist, an oncologist, a physician that specializes in pain management, or get the treatment from the general physician. A physical exam, X-rays, blood tests, and MRI scans are some of the ways that the diagnosis can occur. If you have a growth in your abdomen, you may also have to get a biopsy done to rule out cancer.

If the pain in your abdomen is caused due to an infection, the general physician can prescribe you a few antibiotics. The dosage will depend on the severity of the infection and your medical history. Taking the pills as instructed will help clear out the infection within a matter of days.

If the pain in the abdomen is caused by a growth, there are two types of treatment plans that the doctor may resort to. The first will be to prescribe you medications to help shrink the growth. Depending on the size and type of growth, these can either be taken orally or through an IV. They may even be injected straight into the growth. The second type of treatment plan involves surgery. Here, the surgeon will make an incision in the area where the growth is and remove the entire mass in one go (if feasible). If the mass is too large or is causing complications, it may have to be removed in different surgeries. Once the mass is removed, the cavity left behind will be assessed for damage, healed, and then closed.

If you have been experiencing abdominal pain continuously over a period of days, and taking over the counter pain medications just don’t help you or only provide temporary relief, you should see a doctor to seek out treatment.

If your pain is temporary and directly related to your diet or menstrual cycle, you do not need to seek out additional treatment for the pain.

Taking antibiotics sometimes results in an increase in the body temperature and the development of a fever. Surgery comes with its own set of side effects such as bruising, swelling, and pain in the area where the surgery is performed.

Since this is a problem related to your digestive system, it makes sense to control your diet and eat substances that do not inflame the lining of your stomach.

Infections normally clear up within a week, though the course of treatment may be longer than that. It takes a minimum of 2 weeks or more to completely recover from the effects of surgery.

Getting a growth removed from your abdomen can range in price from Rs. 50,000 to Rs .1,50,000, depending on the hospital you go to.

The results of the treatment are permanent.

Stomach pain that is caused by menstrual cramps can be treated at home and you do not necessarily need to resort to medication. For mild to moderate cramps, you can use a hot water bottle and place it on your abdomen to soothe the muscles beneath. This can be quite effective. Chewing ginger is also known to ease menstrual cramps. You can also consume tea prepared with honey, turmeric, and ginger to soothe the pain that you are feeling. Keeping your diet light and enjoying a warm bath and can also help you with the pain you are experiencing. There are also a few herbal remedies that can help you. Burning different types of essential oils such as clary sage oil, lavender oil, and rosemary oil can help you as these oils have the properties of an emmenogogue, which means they not only stimulate menstruation but also help with the symptoms of PMS and menstrual cramps. Stomach pain caused by acidity can be resolved at home by eating non-acidic foods and indulging in a soft diet until the diarrhoea is resolved.