Abdominal pain and bloating can be caused by overeating, food intolerances, irritable bowel syndrome, gallstones, and PMS. Lifestyle changes, home remedies, and medications can help manage symptoms, but it’s important to see a doctor if they persist or worsen.
Common causes of abdominal pain and bloating include indigestion and overeating, lactose, fructose or other food intolerances, and irritable bowel syndrome. Gallstones and PMS are other common causes of painful swelling. Swelling can sometimes be managed with lifestyle changes, home and over-the-counter remedies, and medications. It’s best, however, to see a doctor if your abdominal pain and bloating don’t respond immediately to home care or get worse.
Overeating and resulting indigestion can cause abdominal pain and bloating. Eating too fast or consuming fatty, spicy or gas-producing foods or drinking too much alcohol increases the likelihood of indigestion along with abdominal pain and bloating. Tobacco, caffeine, ulcers, and some medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, aspirin, and antibiotics, can also cause indigestion and lead to abdominal pain and bloating. Additionally, if someone is unable to digest the lactose found in dairy products, or is unable to absorb fructose, or is sensitive to other foods, cramping pains may occur along with gas, nausea, and bloating.
Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is another common cause of abdominal pain and bloating. Someone with IBS has their own constellation of symptoms which can include cramping, abdominal pain and bloating along with diarrhea and/or constipation. IBS can be caused by stress, eating particular foods, or it can emerge as a result of an infection or other health problem.
Gallstones blocking the cystic or common bile duct can cause a cramping type of abdominal pain. This pain may also be accompanied by a feeling of fullness in the abdomen. Pain caused by gallstones usually occurs soon after eating and can be felt in the right upper or middle abdomen, sometimes spreading to just below the right shoulder blade. Abdominal pain and bloating caused by gallstones can come and go.
Many women experience PMS, PMS, for several days a month. Water retention and bloating, weight gain, headaches, and food cravings are some of the symptoms that women with PMS face between 5-11 days before their period starts. Most of these symptoms disappear when menstruation begins, although cramping and abdominal pain may continue until the end of the period.
The most common forms of abdominal pain and bloating can be managed through lifestyle changes. Maintaining good eating habits, not smoking, and avoiding foods that cause painful bloating are some of the ways you can avoid indigestion. Treatment for IBS may include increasing dietary fiber, the use of peppermint oil, laxatives, antidiarrheals, antidepressants, or psychotherapy. In some cases, gallstones may need to be surgically removed. PMS and associated symptoms can sometimes be managed with over-the-counter medications, warm compresses, and exercise. Anyone experiencing these symptoms, especially those on a persistent basis, should contact a doctor promptly.
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