Abdominal pain - causes, self-care and treatments

Stomach pain is a common ailment that can have many different causes, including indigestion, gas, bloating, acid reflux, stomach ulcers, and infections. Depending on the underlying cause, stomach pain can range from mild to severe, and it may be accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and fever.

Fortunately, there are many different medications that can help alleviate stomach pain and its associated symptoms. In this article, we will discuss some of the most commonly used stomach pain medications, including over-the-counter (OTC) options as well as prescription drugs.

Antacids

Antacids are one of the most commonly used OTC medications for stomach pain. They work by neutralizing the stomach acid that can cause heartburn, acid reflux, and other types of indigestion. Antacids can be found in stomach pain ka desi ilaj, liquid form, or as a powder that can be mixed with water.

Some examples of antacids include:

1. Calcium carbonate (Tums): This is a popular antacid that works quickly to relieve heartburn and other types of indigestion. It can be found in a variety of flavors, including mint, berry, and tropical fruit.
2. Aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide (Maalox): This is a combination antacid that can help relieve stomach pain, acid reflux, and other digestive symptoms. It is available in liquid form and can be found in a variety of flavors.
3. Sodium bicarbonate (Alka-Seltzer): This is an effervescent antacid that can help relieve heartburn, acid indigestion, and sour stomach. It can be found in tablet form and is often taken with water.

While antacids are generally safe and effective, they should not be used for more than two weeks without consulting a healthcare provider. Long-term use of antacids can lead to side effects such as diarrhea, constipation, and electrolyte imbalances.

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a type of prescription medication that can help reduce the amount of acid produced by the stomach. They are often used to treat conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer disease, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Some examples of PPIs include:

1. Omeprazole (Prilosec): This is a popular PPI that can help relieve symptoms of GERD, such as heartburn and acid reflux. It is available in capsule form and is usually taken once a day.
2. Lansoprazole (Prevacid): This is another PPI that can help reduce stomach acid and relieve symptoms of GERD. It is available in capsule and tablet form and is usually taken once a day.
3. Esomeprazole (Nexium): This is a newer PPI that can help relieve symptoms of GERD and heal esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus). It is available in capsule and tablet form and is usually taken once a day.

While PPIs are generally safe and effective, they can have some side effects, including headache, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Long-term use of PPIs can also lead to bone fractures, kidney damage, and infections.

H2 Blockers

H2 blockers are a type of pait main dard ka ilaj that can help reduce the amount of acid produced by the stomach. They are often used to treat conditions such as GERD, peptic ulcer disease, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Some examples of H2 blockers include:

1. Ranitidine (Zantac): This is a popular H2 blocker that can help relieve symptoms of GERD,