STOMACH CRAMPS - Identifying Causes of Stomach Cramps and Its Treatments

BY A R ON AUGUST 22, 2011 

Cramping of the stomach can occur in different ranges of severity. It is the pain or discomfort that is often felt in the area of the abdomen. Most of the time it is a minor problem but it can be a symptom of another more serious disease. These cramps are sharp alternating contractions that produce a painful squeezing sensation. It may affect only a small part of the abdomen or it can cause pain throughout the whole abdomen.

Causes of Stomach Cramps

Stomach cramps can be a result of another problem. Here are the following causes of stomach cramps.

Gastrointestinal Factors:

• Inflammation of the appendix
• Constipation
• Gastritis
• Viral infection
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Inflammation of the pancreas
• Allergy to certain types of food
• Food poisoning
• Liver problems

Gynecological Factors:

• Menstruation
• Labor in giving birth, miscarriage or other complications of pregnancy
• Endometriosis
• Pelvic inflammatory disease

Other factors:

• Strenuous exercise
• Bladder problems
• Trauma or injury
• Tumor

What are the Treatment for Stomach Cramps

Here are some tips to minimize and to provide relief from stomach cramps:

• Observe a healthy and balanced diet.
• Drink plenty of water when constipated. Eat foods high in fiber.
• Substitute skim milk to other dairy products which can cause lactose intolerance.
• Take time to relax because stress is also a big contributor to stomach cramps.
  
  
• The use of warm compress may also work wonders.
• Exercise may work for some people especially in cases where stomach muscles are the source of the stomach cramps. This way, the muscles are relaxed or stretched out, relieving the patient of the pain that is felt.
• Lie on back and rub stomach upwards and downwards rhythmically.
• Drink herbal liquids or teas which aid in digestion and relax the body. Mint, chamomile, and ginger teas may be best.
• Take a trip to the toilet.
• Breathe in and out slowly, at the same time stretch. Drink carbonated beverages which will trigger gas to pass.

Diagnosing stomach cramps

In order for the physician to determine the problems of the patient, understanding the history of the patient as well as undergoing a fully physical examination may be needed. In most cases, basic investigations include:

• Urinalysis
• Chest X-ray or imaging of the abdomen
• Blood tests that include full data regarding blood count, urea, electrolytes, liver function tests, pregnancy test, lipase, and amylase tests.
• Computed tomography of the pelvis and abdomen
• Colonoscopy and endoscopy
• Pelvic or abdominal ultrasound

Source: http://www.simple-remedies.com/

BELCHING, EXCESS STOMACH GAS SYMPTOMS - Signs of Belching or Burping

BY ADMIN ON JANUARY 19, 2011 

Belching Symptoms

When a person has a problem that is connected with his belching or if his belching is becoming a problem, the symptoms that accompany his belching or why he is belching can be an indication of what may be wrong. Here are some symptoms to look out for when belching:

• Belching is, of course, the release of air from the mouth whenever you have lots of air in your stomach or are feeling gassy. When your belching comes as a result of a stomachache or you are feeling bloated and you are belching endlessly, the possible problem you might have is indigestion.

• Peptic ulcers are also known to produce belching problems. If you are nervous and your ulcers act up due to the stress you are experiencing, you might expect to start burping anytime soon.

• One of the symptoms you can look out for when you are going through belching bouts is the excessive production of saliva in your mouth. When you are wearing rather loose dentures, saliva production can be pretty high and constant swallowing of saliva can cause gas to enter with it in your stomach. You should have your dentures checked and fitted properly to avoid this from happening.

• Another symptom of excess stomach gas that you can associate with belching and the need to burp is when you feel like your stomach is full of air and when you thump it, it sounds like a hollow drum.

Source: http://www.simple-remedies.com/

STOMACH FLATULENCE SYMPTOMS - Signs of Abdominal Flatulence

BY ADMIN ON JANUARY 19, 2011 

Flatulence Symptoms:

What are the main symptoms of a person who has flatulence? The main symptom is the expulsion of air from the person’s rear end or what is called farting. Sometimes this air may be released with a little sound and some odor accompanying it. Here are a few more symptoms that may accompany flatulence, depending on why a person is experiencing this gassy state:

• Some people who have flatulence experience a tight and round stomach or bloating. This can be very uncomfortable since the person may feel like their stomach is stretched tight like a drum.

• Abdominal pain and pain in other parts of the body can also be one of the symptoms you will feel when you have flatulence. Depending on the reasons why you have this gas problem, abdominal pain can run from the middle part of your stomach down to the pelvic area and even to the lower back.
• Some people belch along with the farting when they have flatulence. This is because air can be released from both ends and if a person is feeling rather bloated and gassy, the air that wants to be released can sometimes find its way out of the body through the esophagus, which then results in burping.

Source: http://www.simple-remedies.com/

FOOD POISONING - Causes And Symptoms of Food Poisoning

BY ADMIN ON JANUARY 19, 2011 

Question:

I ate crab meat that was leftover for two days and now I have the worst stomach ache. What is causing this?

Answer:

Food Poisoning Causes

Your stomach ache is the result of food poisoning due to eating a left over crab. Food poisoning occurs when you eat food contaminated with bacteria or virus or toxins.

Symptoms include:

• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Fever

These are some of the signs of food poisoning, it occurs due to improper storage of food and in summer when the bacteria multiply fast due to suitable environment for them. Common bacterial toxins are: E coli, salmonella spp, shigella spp, v.

cholerae. Depending on the symptoms and the severity of the poisoning your health care provider may give you antibiotics and antispasmodics if needed.

Food Poisoning Home Remedies

Certain home remedies may also give relief:

• Take a peppermint oil capsule, this helps in relieving heart burn and stomach ache
• A tea spoon of ginger juice with honey will aid in soothing your stomach
• Wear loose clothing around your stomach
• Apply paste made of asafetida on the abdomen in cases of abdominal pain
• Take liquid diet for a day, and then gradually eat solid food as the pain becomes less
• If the pain and other symptoms become worse it is advisable to consult a physician.

Source: http://www.simple-remedies.com/