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Harmless abdominal pain usually subsides or goes away within two hours.
What drink helps an upset stomach?
Typically, an upset stomach can be treated at home. ... Treatment
Sports drinks.
Clear, non-caffeinated sodas such as 7-Up, Sprite or ginger ale.
Diluted juices such as apple, grape, cherry or cranberry (avoid citrus juices)
Clear soup broth or bouillon.
Popsicles.
Decaffeinated tea.
What is the best medicine for stomach ache?
Over-the-Counter Medications
For cramping from diarrhea, medicines that have loperamide (Imodium) or bismuth subsalicylate (Kaopectate or Pepto-Bismol) might make you feel better. For other types of pain, acetaminophen (Aspirin Free Anacin, Liquiprin, Panadol, Tylenol) might be helpful.
Some of the most popular home remedies for an upset stomach and indigestion include:
Drinking water. ...
Avoiding lying down. ...
Ginger. ...
Mint. ...
Taking a warm bath or using a heating bag. ...
BRAT diet. ...
Avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol. ...
Avoiding difficult-to-digest foods.
How do I know if my stomach pain is serious?
You should seek immediate medical attention or go to the ER if you have:
Constant or severe abdominal pain.
Pain associated with a high fever.
Changes in pain intensity or location, such as going from a dull ache to a sharp stab or starting in one area and radiating to another.
What causes pain in the stomach?
Various causes of abdominal pain include, but are not limited to, indigestion after eating, gallstones and gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis), pregnancy, gas, inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease), appendicitis, ulcers, gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), pancreatitis, ...
What’s Causing Your Abdominal Pain and How to Treat It
Abdominal pain is pain that occurs between the chest and pelvic regions. Abdominal pain can be crampy, achy, dull, intermittent or sharp. It’s also called a stomachache.
Inflammation or diseases that affect the organs in the abdomen can cause abdominal pain. Major organs located in the abdomen include:
intestines (small and large)
kidneys
appendix (a part of the large intestine)
spleen
stomach
gallbladder
liver
pancreas
Viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections that affect the stomach and intestines may also cause significant abdominal pain.
What causes abdominal pain?
Abdominal pain can be caused by many conditions. However, the main causes are infection, abnormal growths, inflammation, obstruction (blockage), and intestinal disorders.
Infections in the throat, intestines, and blood can cause bacteria to enter your digestive tract, resulting in abdominal pain. These infections may also cause changes in digestion, such as diarrhea or constipation.
Cramps associated with menstruation are also a potential source of lower abdominal pain, but these are more commonly known to cause pelvic pain.
Other common causes of abdominal pain include:
constipation
diarrhea
gastroenteritis (stomach flu)
acid reflux (when stomach contents leak backward into the esophagus, causing heartburn and other symptoms)
vomiting
stress
Diseases that affect the digestive system can also cause chronic abdominal pain. The most common are:
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
irritable bowel syndrome or spastic colon (a disorder that causes abdominal pain, cramping, and changes in bowel movements)
Crohn’s disease (an inflammatory bowel disease)
lactose intolerance (the inability to digest lactose, the sugar found in milk and milk products)
Causes of severe abdominal pain include:
organ rupture or near-rupture (such as a burst appendix, or appendicitis)
Abdominal pain can be described as localized, cramp-like, or colicky.
Localized pain is limited to one area of the abdomen. This type of pain is often caused by problems in a particular organ. The most common cause of localized pain is stomach ulcers (open sores on the inner lining of the stomach).
Cramp-like pain may be associated with diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or flatulence. In women, it can be associated with menstruation, miscarriage, or reproductive complications. This pain comes and goes, and may go away on its own without treatment.
Colicky pain is a symptom of more severe conditions, such as gallstones or kidney stones. This pain occurs suddenly, and may feel like a severe muscle spasm.
Location of pain within the abdomen
The location of the pain within the abdomen may be a clue as to its cause.
Pain that’s generalized throughout the abdomen (not in one specific area) may indicate:
appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix)
Crohn’s disease
traumatic injury
irritable bowel syndrome
urinary tract infection
the flu
Pain that’s focused in the lower abdomen may indicate:
appendicitis
intestinal obstruction
ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that occurs outside the womb)
In women, pain in the reproductive organs of the lower abdomen can be caused by:
severe menstrual pain (called dysmenorrhea)
ovarian cysts
miscarriage
fibroids
endometriosis
pelvic inflammatory disease
ectopic pregnancy
Upper abdominal pain may be caused by:
gallstones
heart attack
hepatitis (liver inflammation)
pneumonia
Pain in the center of the abdomen might be from:
appendicitis
gastroenteritis
injury
uremia (buildup of waste products in your blood)
Lower left abdominal pain may be caused by:
Crohn’s disease
cancer
kidney infection
ovarian cysts
appendicitis
Upper left abdominal pain is sometimes caused by:
enlarged spleen
fecal impaction (hardened stool that can’t be eliminated)
injury
kidney infection
heart attack
cancer
Causes of lower right abdominal pain include:
appendicitis
hernia (when an organ protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles)
kidney infection
cancer
flu
Upper right abdominal pain may be from:
hepatitis
injury
pneumonia
appendicitis
When to see the doctor
Mild abdominal pain may go away without treatment. However, in some cases, abdominal pain may warrant a trip to the doctor.
Call 911 if your abdominal pain is severe and associated with trauma (from an accident or injury) or pressure or pain in your chest.
You should seek immediate medical care if the pain is so severe that you can’t sit still or need to curl into a ball to get comfortable, or if you have any of the following:
bloody stools
fever greater than 101°F (38.33°C)
vomiting up blood (called hematemesis)
persistent nausea or vomiting
yellowing of the skin or eyes
swelling or severe tenderness of the abdomen
difficulty breathing
Make an appointment with your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
abdominal pain that lasts longer than 24 hours
prolonged constipation
vomiting
a burning sensation when you urinate
fever
loss of appetite
unexplained weight loss
Call your doctor if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding and you experience abdominal pain.
How is the cause of abdominal pain diagnosed?
The cause of abdominal pain can be diagnosed through a series of tests. Before ordering tests, your doctor will do a physical examination. This includes gently pressing on various areas of your abdomen to check for tenderness and swelling.
This information, combined with the severity of the pain and its location within the abdomen, will help your doctor determine which tests to order.
Imaging tests, such as MRI scans, ultrasounds, and X-rays, are used to view organs, tissues, and other structures in the abdomen in detail. These tests can help diagnose tumors, fractures, ruptures, and inflammation.
Other tests include:
colonoscopy (to look inside the colon and intestines)
endoscopy (to detect inflammation and abnormalities in the esophagus and stomach)
upper GI (a special X-ray test that uses contrast dye to check for the presence of growths, ulcers, inflammation, blockages, and other abnormalities in the stomach)
Blood, urine, and stool samples may also be collected to look for evidence of bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections.
How can I prevent abdominal pain?
Not all forms of abdominal pain are preventable. However, you can minimize the risk of developing abdominal pain by doing the following:
Eat a healthy diet.
Drink water frequently.
Exercise regularly.
Eat smaller meals.
If you have an intestinal disorder, such as Crohn’s disease, follow the diet your doctor has given you to minimize discomfort. If you have GERD, don’t eat within 2 hours of bedtime.
Lying down too soon after eating may cause heartburn and abdominal pain. Try waiting at least 2 hours after eating before lying down.
You can follow a few hair hygiene tips to make your hair less likely to fall out.
Avoid hairstyles that pull on the hair.
Avoid high-heat hair styling tools.
Don't chemically treat or bleach your hair.
Use a shampoo that's mild and suited for your hair.
Use a soft brush made from natural fibers. ...
Try low-level light therapy.
What are causes of hair fall?
Causes of hair loss
Hereditary hair loss. Both men and women develop this type of hair loss, which is the most common cause of hair loss worldwide. ...
Age. ...
Alopecia areata. ...
Childbirth, illness, or other stressors. ...
Hair care. ...
Hairstyle pulls on your scalp. ...
Hormonal imbalance. ...
Scalp infection.
Is it normal for hair to fall?
Hair falls out every day as part of the body's natural renewal cycle. The American Academy of Dermatology note that it is normal for a person to lose about 50–100 hairs each day. Each hair follicle goes through a cycle that includes a growth stage (anagen) and a rest stage (telogen) before the hair falls out
Hair loss, also known as alopecia or baldness, refers to a loss of hair from part of the head or body. Typically at least the head is involved. The severity of hair loss can vary from a small area to the entire body. Typically inflammation or scarring is not present. Hair fall in some people causes psychological distress. Everybody loses some hair every day. Research has shown that a person can lose up to 100 hairs per day. But losing more hair can cause bald spots to appear on a man’s head. In case of a woman, there is thinning of the hair on the top of her head.
Hair fall is not a life-threatening condition. But it can become seriously jeopardize one’s self-confidence by drastically changing for the worse how he/she looks. Men, women and even children can experience hair loss. This condition occurs generally as a result of hormonal changes, heredity, medical conditions or as a side-effect of some medications. Hair loss due to hereditary reasons is the most common cause of hair fall.
What are the types of hair loss?
The hair growth rate slows down as people age and is called alopecia. There are lot many hair loss types:
Involutional Alopecia- It is the natural gradual thinning of hair with age. There is an increase in the number of hair follicles which enter the resting phase and the other hairs become fewer and shorter.
Androgenic Alopecia- Both women and men can be affected by this genetic condition. Men who have this condition may start losing hair even in their teenage years. This is known as male-pattern baldness. It is marked by gradual hair loss from the frontal scalp and the crown and the hairline receding. Women affected by this have hair thinning after their forties. It is known as female-pattern baldness and maximum hair loss happens near the crown.
Alopecia Areata- It usually has a sudden onset and leads to hair loss in patches in young adults and children. It may lead to total balding (alopecia totalis). In over 90% of people having this condition, the hair grows back within a few years.
Trichotillomania- It is observed most commonly in children. A person tears out their own hair because of this psychological disorder.
Telogen Effluvium- Hair growth cycle changes lead to a temporary thinning of hair on the scalp. It happens due to a lot of hair entering the resting phase which leads to shedding of a hair and consequent thinning.
Scarring Alopecia- It leads to irreversible hair loss. Inflammatory conditions of the skin like folliculitis, acne and cellulitis, results in scarring that destroys the hair’s ability to regenerate. Tightly woven hair and hot combs may result in irreversible hair loss as well.
What are the signs and symptoms of hair fall?
Hair falling out in clumps or patches
Thinning of hair
Hair becoming brittle and breaking easily
What are the causes of hair fall?
Hair fall is most commonly prevalent in people who have had a family history of hair loss, genetics play a huge role in this. Some hormones also trigger hair loss which usually begins during puberty. Other factors such as traumatic events, surgeries and major illnesses can also trigger acute hair fall. In such cases, hair starts growing back on its own after some time. Temporary hair loss can be caused due to menopause, sudden discontinuation of birth control pills, childbirth and hormonal changes due to pregnancy.
Sometimes severe medical conditions can also cause hair loss such as scalp infections (ringworm), alopecia areata (an autoimmune disorder which damages the hair follicles) and thyroid disease. Disorders like lichen planus and certain types of lupus can also cause lichens which result in hair fall. Many times hair fall can also be triggered by the use of medications used to treat heart problems, depression, arthritis, high blood pressure and cancer. Emotional or physical shock can also trigger hair loss such as high fever, extreme weight loss and death in the family.
A hair-pulling disorder known as trichotillomania makes the affected person pull out his/her hair deliberately. It is an impulse control disorder which can be treated by therapy. The affected person can pull out hair from their eyelash, eyebrows and the scalp. Tying our hair very tightly puts immense pressure on the hair resulting in breakage. This is known as traction hair loss. Consuming less iron and protein in your diet can also lead to thin hair.
There are few other causes through which hair loss occurs:
Hormones- Abnormal androgen levels may cause hair to fall as well.
Genes – Genes from either parent can increase the likelihood of a person having female or male pattern baldness.
Drugs- Blood thinners, cancer treatment drugs, birth-control medication and beta blockers may lead to hair fall as well.
Medical Predispositions- Diabetes, lupus, iron deficiency, thyroid disease, anaemia and eating disorders may lead to hair fall. Usually, when the root cause is treated, hair grows back again.
Cosmetic- Procedures like perming, hair dyes, bleaching and over the use of shampoo can all lead to thinning of hair, making it brittle and weak. Braiding hair tightly, using hot curlers or rollers also causes hair breakage and damage. These, however, don’t lead to baldness.
What vitamin deficiency causes hair loss?
Vitamins play an essential role in the growth of hair. Deficiency in vitamins may cause numerous problems related to hair fall. Niacin or vitamin B3 and Biotin is another B vitamin, which leads to hair fall. There is some evidence shows that deficiency of Vitamin D in the body affects the growth of hair. Researches show that people with hair fall have lower levels of Vitamin D compared to other people.
How hair loss is diagnosed?
After consulting the patient about symptoms and enquiring about the respective medical and family history, various tests are performed to diagnose the hair fall problem. Few of they are listed below:
Physical hair pull test
Blood test
Scalp biopsy
Light microscopy
Hair fall solution can be addressed in multiple ways and before opting for any treatment do check with your doctor to determine the nature of your condition. Some medications and drugs boost androgen levels to improve hair growth. For more severe cases you can opt for a wig but in today’s fashion world that would seem out of place. You can opt for hair weaving or hair bonding treatments where the synthetic hair strands or real hair strands are artificially glued to your scalp. Sometimes these can appear as a takeaway latex skin, and you can use it and comb it like how you use your natural hair. However, these can have their limitations.
For more permanent results, go for hair transplantation. The treatment involves individually picking out your hair follicles from the denser region of your head and implanting them in the area where you experience hair fall. The hair follicles are taken individually or in some cases taken as an entire strip and surgically sewn into the bald spots. These surgical procedures are the most advanced forms of treatments available currently and are more permanent. The hair follicles once taken root can act like your own hair and depending on your maintenance can grow into stronger stands.
Who would need anti-hair loss therapy?
Taking pills for your hair growth is not safe during pregnancy and childbirth. Avoiding these medications during those periods would be safe. Also, heart patients and people with high blood pressure may not be a suitable candidate for hair fall treatment. Before opting for any treatment, consult with your physician without fail.
Who is not eligible for the treatment?
There can be some side effects felt if you are undertaking the hair regrowth pills as these focus on increasing the androgen levels of your body. In some cases, they are not safe for your reproductive organs, and you can choose alternate medicines. As far as hair transplantation goes, the skin can appear itchy and reddish after the procedure. The area where the procedure has been done can go numb, and these symptoms gradually fade away over a period. Always do take these hair fall treatments in reputed centres as they can have high safety standards.
What are the side effects of hair fall treatment?
After the hair fall treatment, you might be asked to take rest for a couple of days. You might be required to wear a surgical hair cap over your head to prevent infections. Usually, the recovery period is very minimal, and you can get back to your normal activities within a few days. In the case of hair weaving, you might have to visit the centres occasionally to take care of the bonding or to change the style.
What are the post-treatment guidelines?
After the hair transplantation, you might be asked to take rest for a couple of days. You might be required to wear a surgical hair cap over your head to prevent infections. Usually, the recovery period is very minimal, and you can get back to your normal activities within a few days. In the case of hair weaving, you might have to visit the centres occasionally to take care of the bonding or to change the style.
How long does it take to recover from hair loss treatment?
The recovery period is very minimal regarding hair loss treatment. You can get back to your routine duties within a short period. You might be asked to visit a month for a checkup, and your hair regrowth can start after a period of six months. In case you are taking pills and tablets, there is no recovery time, and you can adhere to your regular work routine.
What is the cost of hair loss treatment in India?
The price of the treatment depends on the type of clinic you are undergoing the treatment. For hair transplantations, the average price starts from one lakh and can go up to 5 lakhs for the entire head. Hair weaving and hair bonding are relatively cheaper and start from 50,000 INR and can go up to 1 lakh for more advanced hair types. Once again – ensure that you undertake these treatments only in reputed clinics and centres.
Are the results of the hair loss treatment permanent?
The alternatives to such hair loss treatments can be natural hair oils and ayurvedic products. These can be safe on your hair as they do not use any chemical based medications and does not involve surgery. You can also make some lifestyle changes and stick to strict diets that are high in proteins and nutrients needed for your hair.
How to prevent hair loss?
Studies have shown that the Mediterranean diet is one of the best ways for hair loss prevention. Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of hair loss or slowdowns its onset. Proteins like keratin help rebuilding of hair follicles. Including amino acids in the diet helps hair growth as they work as building blocks.
What vitamins are good to prevent hair loss?
Nutritional deficiency leads to hair loss and vitamin intake is the best way to prevent it. The best vitamins are:
Vitamin A: It is the fundamental unit for every cell present in the body. As hair is the fastest growing tissue Vitamin A plays a significant role in its growth. Vitamin A is found in animal products like milk, eggs, and cod liver oil.
Vitamin B: One of the chief vitamins in hair growth is Vitamin B also called Biotins. It helps in the creation of RBC and carries oxygen, nutrients to the scalp. Vitamin B is found in whole grains, almonds, meat, seafood, green leafy vegetables.
Vitamin C: It is a powerful antioxidant which prevents against oxidative stress caused by free radicals. A protein called collagen which is important for hair growth. This vitamin helps absorbing necessary minerals for hair. Citrus fruits like Oranges, Strawberries, peppers, etc are good for hair growth.
Vitamin D: It is a major factor for hair growth which helps to create new follicles. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in hair production. Fatty fish, cod liver oil, some mushrooms, and fortified foods are a good source of vitamin D.
What are the home remedies for hair fall?
Egg whites: These are deposits of proteins, minerals and B-complex which are important for hair. They provide nutrients for hair growth and also strengthens hair. Egg whites are recommended for oily hair because it reduces oil production. It can be mixed with olive oil for fast hair growth.
Aloe Vera: It is massive deposits of amino acids and proteolytic enzymes which are good for hair growth. It can be mixed with castor oil and fenugreek powder for better results.
Amla: It has a high concentration of antioxidants which increases the regeneration of skin cells. It conditions your scalp, minimizes grey hair and boosts hair volume. Amla even reduces dandruff hence thickens the hair. vegetable oil, henna powder, egg, water and milk can be mixed with Amla for better results.
Onion: It contains dietary sulphur most common mineral required for enzymes and proteins production. Antimicrobial properties of onion juice help scalp to fight against infections. The antioxidant property, on the other hand, cancels free radicals which reduce damage to hair follicles.
There are many suggested home remedies for acne, but not all of them are supported by research.
Diet: It is unclear what role diet plays in worsening acne. Scientists have found that people who consume a diet that offers a good supply of vitamins A and E and of zinc may have a lower riskTrusted Source of severe acne. One review describes the link between acne and diet as “controversial,” but suggest that a diet with a low glycemic load may help.
Tea-tree oil: Results of a study of 60 patients published in the Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology suggested that 5-percent tea-tree oil may help treat Trusted Sourcemild to moderate acne.
If you want to buy tea-tree oil, then there is an excellent selection online with thousands of customer reviews.
Tea: There is some evidenceTrusted Source that polyphenols from tea, including green tea, applied in a topical preparation, may be beneficial in reducing sebum production and treating acne. However, the compounds in this case were extracted from tea, rather than using tea directly.
Moisturizers: These can soothe the skinTrusted Source, especially in people who are using acne treatment such as isotretinoin, say researchers. Moisturizers containing aloe vera at a concentration of at least 10 percent or witch hazel can have a soothing and possibly anti-inflammatory effect.
Causes
Human skin has pores that connect to oil glands under the skin. Follicles connect the glands to the pores. Follicles are small sacs that produce and secrete liquid.
The glands produce an oily liquid called sebum. Sebum carries dead skin cells through the follicles to the surface of the skin. A small hair grows through the follicle out of the skin.
Pimples grow when these follicles get blocked, and oil builds up under the skin.
Skin cells, sebum, and hair can clump together into a plug. This plug gets infected with bacteria, and swelling results. A pimple starts to develop when the plug begins to break down.
Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is the name of the bacteria that live on the skin and contributes to the infection of pimples.
Research suggestsTrusted Source that the severity and frequency of acne depend on the strain of bacteria. Not all acne bacteria trigger pimples. One strain helps to keep the skin pimple-free.
Hormonal factors
A range of factors triggers acne, but the main cause is thought to be a rise in androgen levels.
Androgen is a type of hormone, the levels of which rise when adolescence begins. In women, it gets converted into estrogen.
Rising androgen levels cause the oil glands under the skin to grow. The enlarged gland produces more sebum. Excessive sebum can break down cellular walls in the pores, causing bacteria to grow.
Other possible triggers
Some studies suggest that genetic factors may increase the risk.
Other causes include:
some medications that contain androgen and lithium
Treatment depends on how severe and persistent the acne is.
Mild acne
Share on PinterestA variety of steroidal and non-steroidal creams and gels are available to treat acne, and many are effective.
Mild acne can be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as gels, soaps, pads, creams, and lotions, that are applied to the skin.
Creams and lotions are best for sensitive skin. Alcohol-based gels dry the skin and are better for oily skin.
OTC acne remedies may contain the following active ingredients:
Resorcinol: helps break down blackheads and whiteheads
Benzoyl peroxide: kills bacteria, accelerates the replacement of skin, and slows the production of sebum
Salicylic acid: assists the breakdown of blackheads and whiteheads and helps reduce inflammation and swelling
Sulfur: exactly how this works is unknown
Retin-A: helps unblock pores through cell turnover
Azelaic acid: strengthens cells that line the follicles, stops sebum eruptions, and reduces bacterial growth. There is cream for acne, but other forms are used for rosacea.
It is advisable to start with the lowest strengths, as some preparations can cause skin irritation, redness, or burning on first use.
These side effects normally subside after continued use. If not, see a doctor.
Treating moderate to severe acne
A skin specialist, or dermatologist, can treat more severe cases.
They may prescribe a gel or cream similar to OTC medications but stronger, or an oral or topical antibiotic.
Corticosteroid injection
If an acne cyst becomes severely inflamed, it may rupture. This can lead to scarring.
A specialist may treat an inflamed cyst by injecting a diluted corticosteroid.
This can help prevent scarring, reduce inflammation, and speed up healing. The cyst will break down within a few days.
Oral antibiotics
Oral antibiotics may be prescribed for up to 6 months for patients with moderate to severe acne.
These aim to lower the population of P. Acnes. The dosage will start high and reduce as the acne clears.
P. acnes can become resistant to the antibiotic in time, and another antibiotic is needed. Acne is more likely to become resistant to topical rather than oral antibiotics.
Antibiotics can combat the growth of bacteria and reduce inflammation.
Erythromycin and tetracycline are commonly prescribed for acne.
Oral contraceptives
Oral contraceptives can help control acne in women by suppressing the overactive gland. They are commonly used as long-term acne treatments.
These may not be suitable for women who:
have a blood-clotting disorder
smoke
have a history of migraines
are over 35 years old
It is important to check with a gynecologist first.
Topical antimicrobials
Topical antimicrobials also aim to reduce P. acnes in patients with moderate to severe acne. Examples are clindamycin and sodium sulfacetamide.
The dermatologist may prescribe a topical retinoid.
Topical retinoids are a derivative of vitamin A. They unclog the pores and prevent whiteheads and blackheads from developing.
Examples of topical retinoids prescribed in the U.S. are adapalene, tazarotene, and tretinoin.
Isotretinoin
This is a strong, oral retinoid, used for the treatment of severe cystic acne and severe acne that has not responded to other medications and treatments.
It is a strictly controlled medication with potentially serious side effects. The patient must sign a consent form to say that they understand the risks.
Adverse effects include dry skin, dry lips, nosebleeds, fetal abnormalities if used during pregnancy, and mood swings.
Patients who take isotretinoin must avoid vitamin A supplements, as these could lead to vitamin A toxicity.
