Digestive aid products are also an option for aiding in the digestion of specific food components.
For Heartburn
For upper abdominal pain from heartburn, a wide variety of OTC medications are available.
see to it you read the product labels.
Getty Images / LaylaBird
Many are not intended for long-term use without consulting a healthcare provider.
These medications can provide quick relief and help manage uncomfortable symptoms of an upset stomach.
Contact your healthcare provider if symptoms continue after two to three days of taking these medications.
For Menstrual Pain
OTC medications can also help relieve stomach pain stemming frommenstrual cramps.
A healthcare provider will need to help identify what may be causing your stomach pain before prescribing medication.
This may require blood work or medical tests to help determine the underlying reasons for your symptoms.
Other examples are Amitiza (lubiprostone) and Relistor (methylnaltrexone).
Heartburn can be a symptom ofgastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)or ulcers.
To treat these types of conditions, healthcare providers often prescribe longer-term H2 blockers or PPIs.
PPIs may also be prescribed alongside certain antibiotics to treat a gut infection brought on by bacteria known asH.
The jot down of medication prescribed will depend on the specific cause of your symptoms.
Common causes include:
How Do I Prevent Stomach Pain?
you’re able to try these options alone or in addition to OTC or prescribed medications.
Recognizing the symptoms associated with potentially serious conditions can help determine when professional medical evaluation is necessary.
OTC medications can provide relief for common issues like constipation, gas, and heartburn.
For more severe cases, prescription medications may be necessary.
Additionally, lifestyle changes and nondrug remedies can help prevent future discomfort.
If you experience persistent or severe symptoms, contact a healthcare professional for guidance.
2021;19(9):1864-1872.e5.
doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2020.06.065
National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for constipation.
National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for gas in the digestive tract.
National Institute Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for GER & GERD.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for diarrhea.
Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.Overview: period pain.
Lacy BE.Managing IBS-C: focus on symptom control.Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y).
2024;20(4):216-226.
2022;163(1):137-151. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2022.04.017
American Gastroenterological Association.Pharmacological management of chronic idiopathic constipation.
2022;14(4):e24240.
doi:10.7759/cureus.24240
Bertin L, Zanconato M, Crepaldi M, et al.The role of the FODMAP diet in IBS.Nutrients.
2024;16(3):370. doi:10.3390/nu16030370.
American College of Gastroenterology.Abdominal pain syndrome.
2020;15(12):e0244465.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244465].PLoS One.
2020;15(5):e0234089.
