If there are conditions such as bleeding, weight loss, jaundice, loss of appetite, feeling of stuck in the throat, early satiety or anemia accompanying stomach pain, it is important to consult a specialist doctor without wasting time.
Changes in the number of meals and times during Ramadan can cause stomach problems. Stomach pain is one of the prominent complaints in this period. In sahur and iftar, attention should be paid to points such as consuming light foods that do not tire the stomach, keep the stomach full, but use the right cooking methods, eat the food more slowly, and pay attention to fluid intake. However, despite all precautions, stomach pain may not go away. It is very important to get expert help in this process.
THE SOURCE OF THE PAIN MUST BE DETERMINED
The pain in the upper part of the abdomen, under the anterior chest region, on the area known as the belief board among the people, is often called stomach pain. The pain can sometimes start at a single point and spread to the back, right-left and sometimes to the chest area. The pain can be excruciating, awakening at night, or it can be a long-term constant pain. The source of the pain is determined according to its character, spread, appearance when hungry or full, and accompanying conditions.
IF YOU HAVE THESE SYMPTOMS WITH STOMACH PAIN…
- In those with stomach pain, nausea and sometimes vomiting can be seen along with the pain.
- If the cause of the pain is reflux, complaints such as burning in the anterior chest region and reflux of food, difficulty in swallowing, coughing, hoarseness, tickling in the throat may also occur.
- Stomach ulcer pain usually increases in the state of hunger, that is, at night.
- In diseases involving the pancreas, back pain and girdle pain are very prominent.
- In cases related to gallstones, there is usually severe pain in the upper right side after meals.
- If stomach pain and pain radiating to the left arm and neck are accompanied by conditions such as breathing difficulties and sweating, a heart attack should definitely be kept in mind.
- Stomach pain sometimes also causes headaches.
- Due to the increased intra-abdominal pressure during pregnancy, reflux and stomach problems and stomach pain increase.
- If the pain does not go away, it should be taken seriously.
Although the pain in this area is often described by patients as stomach pain, other problems may cause this pain. Gallstones, pancreatitis, heart pain, muscle pain can cause stomach pain. In order to make this distinction, it may be necessary to perform ultrasound, endoscopy and EKG, as well as blood tests from the patients. If the pain persists for a long time, does not go away with simple home remedies, and there are conditions such as bleeding and weight loss, which are described as ‘alarm symptoms’, it is absolutely necessary to apply to the hospital.
METHODS THAT CAN BE GOOD FOR STOMACH PAIN
- Stomach pain can be seen from time to time. First of all, easy methods that can be applied at home should be tried and if the complaints do not go away, the hospital should be applied.
- If the patient has stomach ache for the first time, if his complaints are few, such as 1-2 times a week, he can temporarily use chewable tablets or syrups known as antacids (the active ingredient is sodium alginate + bicarbonate, which suppresses reflux). Most of these syrups actually contain baking soda. For this reason, a mixture prepared by adding 1 spoon of baking soda to 1 glass of water at home can often be good for the stomach.
- Gastric protective drugs that suppress stomach acid (proton pump inhibitor drug group) can also be started by consulting the doctor once a day before sahur on an empty stomach. If these drugs are to be taken, it is recommended to use them continuously for 1 month. The effect of these drugs usually starts in 3-5 days.
- Avoiding especially acidic drinks and foods for reflux and stomach pain during Ramadan; Attention should also be paid to measures such as reducing the use of tea, coffee, cigarettes and alcohol, raising the head of the bed, not going to bed immediately after eating.
- Chewing gum is good for the stomach most of the time, but if the gum is sugary or sweetened, it can cause gas complaints. A certain amount of relief can be achieved in the stomach by chewing gum between iftar and sahur.
- It is recommended to stay away from clothes that will tighten the abdomen, loosening the abdominal region may also be recommended.
- Especially fatty meals should be avoided as they can increase the pain associated with gallstones.
- Sports and exercise are good, but heavy exercises can also cause intra-abdominal pressure and increase stomach complaints.