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Treatment of abdominal pain
Last reviewed: 20.11.2021
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Therapeutic tasks of a general practitioner for abdominal pain are reduced to: elimination of the cause of abdominal pain, easing of pain, lifestyle changes, determining clinical cases when referral to a specialist for further examination is needed, clarifying whether there is a connection between taking any medications and symptoms of dyspepsia, control of hemoglobin level of blood.
Non-drug methods: stop smoking, change the way of life, limit alcohol intake, fractional nutrition, health education work with the patient about the work of the digestive tract (including the topic of normal defecation).
Medical treatment begins only after a complete examination of the patient; antacids are prescribed in the presence of heartburn; laxatives - if the bowel function is not regulated by non-medicament means; antispasmodics, M-cholinolytics (scopolamine butyl bromide-spasmodia) and treatment of the underlying disease.
Referral to a specialist is necessary if the pain is localized:
- in the right iliac region (with signs of irritation of the peritoneum);
- in the lower abdomen (with dysuria and menstrual irregularities in girls and women);
- in the field of epigastrium, an unknown genesis (acute cholecystitis, pancreatitis, abdominal form of myocardial infarction, etc.) - the treatment did not bring the expected results; the diagnosis is unclear; blood in the stool; swelling in the abdominal cavity; there are signs of peritonitis.