Knowing the basics about stomach pain helps, for ourselves, as parents and as support systems for our family!

It helps us understand steps we can take for first-aid and decide when we reach out to the doctor.

Where does it pain?

First, understand which part of the stomach is paining. The picture below helps towards understanding!

Checkpoints & Tips

Usually one of the below triggers the issues. Check on which ones apply to you. If these are long term patterns, then the health issues progressively increase over a period of time and tend to get chronic.

1. Sitting posture – Ensure you sit with your back straight. Slumping positions trigger upper and lower abdomen pains and related issues.
2. Vitamin D levels – Check on your vitamin D levels. Sustaining Vitamin D levels within the normal range help. Sometimes pelvic pain is caused by low Vitamin D as well.
3. Calcium absorption – Check if you are having sufficient calcium in your diet or as supplements. Gallstones and Kidney stones can be calcium deposits due to mal absorption as well.
4. Chest congestion – Constipation & chest congestion go together. Ensure your lungs & chest are clear. Resolving chest congestion can help maintain the heat-cold balance in the body, thereby addressing the constipation / diarrhea issues.
5. Water consumption – How frequently are you drinking water? Too high or too low, both indicate a need to check your electrolyte levels.
6. Greasy food – Check on the last 2-3 meals that you might have eaten and whether it was greasy, cheesy, oily, spicy food. Switching from your routine cuisine can sometimes trigger heartburns or stomach pains – as your body is not used to processing the new type of food.
7. Meal timings – What is the typical duration between meals? Make a note and ensure you do not go long durations without eating a meal. A cookie, chocolate, mixed nuts, a fruit, a small snack – anything works. Do not make skipping a meal a routine process.
8. Stress – It can play havoc with any of our body organs. If you do not follow a good sleep time routine for a long period of time, it can trigger stomach pain and related issues to linger and become chronic issues.
9. Weight – For some of the stomach pain issues, weight gain/ weight loss is a common side effect. Check how has your weight been over the past few weeks.

Tips for quick relief from pain

1. Drink a glass of warm water (if you are able to, drink 2-3 glasses)
2. Try to get some rest & sleep
3. Lie down on the right side (helps for gall stones and kidney stones)
4. Avoid squatting on the floor, or sitting cross legged on the floor (especially for pelvic pain)
5. Try to eat an apple
6. Massage your spinal cord (top to bottom) – you might burp if there is a gas buildup

If these do not seem to be helping, check with a doctor.

Stay safe. Stay healthy!