"Abdominal Pain"

Abdominal pain may be termed as “Stomach cramps are often due to bloating and trapped wind into abdomen. This is an extremely common problem that anyone may suffer from it in any time. But your pharmacist can recommend an over the counter product to relieve the wind. Initially it is not necessary to consult with a physician.

If your stomach cramps have started recently and you also have diarrhea, the cause is probably gastroenteritis. This means you have a viral or bacterial infection of the stomach and bowel which your immune system will usually fight off after a few days.

Severe stomach cramps and diarrhea that make you feel very ill (for example, causing chills or a fever) could be due to a more serious infection, such as food poisoning. This will usually get better on its own without treatment.

You should consider seeing your doctor if:

• the pain is severe and getting worse
• you are losing weight
• you are bleeding from the bowel
• you have difficulty swallowing
• you are vomiting persistently
• you have a fever
• your skin looks yellow
• it hurts when you touch your abdomen
• your stomach is swollen
• you have difficulty swallowing.

If you have sudden, agonizing pain in a particular area of your belly, seek medical help immediately. It may be a sign of a serious illness, such as appendicitis, that will rapidly get worse without treatment.

                                                 “Bashutosh Nath”