Listen to Your "GUT": When Pain is Calling for RELIEF ! #PainAwarenessMonth

Abdominal Pain is one of the most universal forms of pain. Whether fleeting or recurring, almost everyone is familiar with how bothersome it can be[i].?

Although most abdominal pain is nothing to worry about, sometimes it can feel like there’s no clear cause for it – which can make treating it difficult. That’s why this #PainAwarenessMonth, let’s demystify abdominal pain by educating people about its causes and management with specialized solutions. It’s time to end mistreatment and empower individuals to heal abdominal pain at the source.”

Let’s start by understanding the “abdomen’s” pain points a little better. Several factors can manifest as soreness, including stress, unhealthy eating, period pain, digestion, infection or disease. Pain might be felt directly from the stomach, or from the muscles or skin of the abdominal wall. It might even have spread from somewhere else nearby.?

With so many factors at play, it can be really difficult to understand and therefore, to manage abdominal pain in the correct way.

So, what are the different kinds of pain?

Some pain might be felt acutely, such as appendicitis, stomach ulcer, gastric ulcer or kidney stones[ii]. If your abdominal pain is sudden and severe, it’s important that you seek medical care immediately[iii].

However, the vast majority of abdominal pain is caused by cramps. The most common triggers are stress and unhealthy eating habits that can cause the gut muscles to over-contract and create a painful sensation.

Other common causes include:

?? Period pain. Cramps may be throbbing or aching, and they can be dull or sharp.

?? Stomach bug. Having sudden stomach cramps and diarrhea usually indicates a stomach infection with a virus or a bacterium[iv].

?? Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Repeatedly getting abdominal cramps with diarrhea and bloating may be a sign of IBS, a chronic condition of the digestive tract[v]. This can be worse after a meal.

It can be tempting to reach for painkillers to calm the discomfort, but cramps require antispasmodics, a medication specially tailored to relax cramps and relieve pain.

Antispasmodics are recommended as the first-choice drugs for treating abdominal pain in several guidelines across the world[vi]. Instead of masking the pain, they target the problem from the root by relaxing the gut muscles and causing the pain to cease.? Whether your bellyache is due to a stomach bug, period pain, bladder cramps, cystitis or IBS[vii], antispasmodics can help you relax, literally.?

While over-the-counter painkillers can irritate your stomach and cause the opposite of the intended effect – more pain! Aside from period pain, they shouldn’t be taken unless a doctor has diagnosed the cause of your belly pain and recommends their use[viii].

Beyond medication, natural remedies can pack a pain-relieving punch, too – and the good news is that they can be easily integrated into everyday routines. Methods include exercise (it can be as simple as going for a ten-minute walk after a meal), keeping a diary of bowel movements to help track any changes and cutting down on known stressors like caffeine and alcohol.

Relaxation techniques to reduce stress, such as breathing exercises, can also be effective.

While stomach pain can feel like an enigma, understanding the options available for managing it allows you to take your health into your hands. If you feel like something is wrong or are in any way concerned about pain, consult a medical professional.

Remember, always trust your gut !

[i]Abdominal pain: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, U.S. National Library of Medicine, accessed 07/04/2024, available at https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003120.htm,

[ii] Flasar MH, Cross R, Goldberg E. Acute abdominal pain. Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice. 2006 Sep 1;33(3):659-84.

[iii] Healthdirect.gov.au, “Underlying causes of abdominal pain”, accessed 04Jul2024, available at Underlying causes of abdominal pain - when a medical emergency | healthdirect

[iv] Stomach ache and abdominal pain | NHS inform, accessed 04Jul2024, available at https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/stomach-liver-and-gastrointestinal-tract/stomach-ache-and-abdominal-pain???

[v] Irritable bowel syndrome, Mayo Clinic, accessed 05Jul2024, available at Irritable bowel syndrome - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

[vi] Mousavi T, Sharifnia M, Nikfar S, Abdollahi M. Pharmacotherapy for gastric and intestinal cramping pain: current and emerging therapies. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy. 2023 Dec 12;24(18):2021-33.

[vii] Tytgat GN. Hyoscine butylbromide: a review of its use in the treatment of abdominal cramping and pain. Drugs. 2007 Jun;67:1343-57.

Eder P, Kowalski P, Mastalerz-Migas A, Skrzydlo-Radomanska B, Cichy W, Proga K. Self-Medication with Drotaverine among Patients with Common Abdominal Symptoms and Treatment Efficacy from the Perspectives of Patients and General Practitioners—An Observational, Retrospective, Cross-Sectional Study Using Real-World Data. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2022 Jun 1;11(11):3156.

Sada M, Khan S, Khan MU, Khan MM, Kumar P, Ahamad U. Drug utilization and prescribing pattern in the treatment of urolithiasis: a perspective on World Health Organization recommendations. International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology. 2024 May;13(3):371.

[viii] Laine L. Gastrointestinal effects of NSAIDs and coxibs. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. 2003 Feb 1;25(2):32-40.