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Abdominal Pain, Female

Care at Home

Reassurance: A mild stomachache can be caused by indigestion, gas pains or overeating. Sometimes a stomachache signals the onset of a vomiting illness due to a viral infection (gastroenteritis).
Rest: Lie down and rest until you feel better.
Fluids: Sip clear fluids only (e.g. water, flat soft drinks or ½ strength fruit juice) until the pain has been gone for over 2 hours. Then slowly return to a regular diet.
Diet:
- Slowly advance diet from clear liquids to a bland diet.
- Avoid alcohol or caffeinated beverages.
- Avoid greasy or fatty foods.
Pass A BM: Sit on the toilet and try to pass a bowel movement (BM). Do not strain. This may relieve the pain if it is due to constipation or impending diarrhea.
Avoid Medicines: Any drug could irritate the stomach lining and make the pain worse, especially anti-inflammatory medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Other than Tylenol, do not take any pain medicines, fever medicines or laxatives for stomach cramps.
Expected Course: With harmless causes, the pain is usually better or goes away within 2 hours. With viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu), belly cramps may precede each bout of vomiting or diarrhea, and may last 2-3 days. . With serious causes (such as appendicitis) the pain becomes constant and more severe.
Pregnancy Test, when in doubt! If there is any possibility of pregnancy, obtain and use a urine pregnancy test from the local drug store. Follow the instructions included in the package.
IF your symptoms become worse: Review Should I Call? recommendations.