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Abdominal pain is characterized by a severe and painful sensation felt in the abdominal area. The burning sensation in the abdomen is usually associated with the stomach pain; however, there may be various other reasons that may cause the severe sensation or pain.

In most cases, minor concerns may be the reason of abdominal burning pain, but these may also be the indicators of more serious diseases of the stomach or the surrounding organs such as kidneys, pancreas, intestines, gallbladder and the appendix.

Symptoms

Grave and relentless abdominal pain along with the following symptoms should be a cause for concern and should be reported to the doctor immediately.

• Blood in the vomit
• Fever
• Blood in the stool
• Difficulty in breathing
• Failure to pass stools
• Tenderness in the abdominal region
• Severe pain
• Pain during pregnancy
• Painful and frequent urination

Causes

Abdominal burning pain or sensation can be caused by various diseases and medical conditions. The severity and the duration of the pain may depend upon the underlying disease. Some of the diseases that may cause abdominal burning pain are as follows.

• GERD (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease): The disorder commonly known as acid reflux is associated with discomfort in the chest and upper abdomen pain. The symptoms may include difficulty in swallowing, nausea, sore throat and cough.
• Stomach Ulcers: People with ulcers in the stomach may endure burning sensation or biting pain in the stomach. The pain may cause more discomfort on an empty stomach. The symptoms include indigestion, gas, vomiting, heartburn, nausea, and dark stools.
• Hernia: Hernia of the abdomen is known as the hiatus hernia. The symptoms associated with this type of hernia are tightness in the upper abdomen, nausea, heartburn, difficulty in swallowing, and continuous hiccups.
• Appendicitis: Intense pain starting from the navel up to the lower right side of the abdomen may be a sign of appendicitis. The symptoms may also include nausea, loss of appetite, constipation, swelling, severe discomfort while coughing or sneezing, and a burning sensation.
• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): A burning sensation while urinating and pain in the lower part of the abdomen may be an indication of UTI. Some other symptoms associated with UTI are chills, frequent urination, blood in urine, fever, and foul smelling urine.
• Kidney Stones: Severe pain originating from the back into the abdominal region generally indicates stone formation in the kidney. The pain associated with kidney stones is agonizing and unbearable. The symptoms also include blood in the urine, frequent urination, nausea, cloudy urine, fever, and vomiting.
• Ectopic Pregnancy: This complication can cause severe burning sensation in the stomach. An ectopic pregnancy is usually diagnosed in the first trimester of the pregnancy. The symptoms include abnormal bleeding from the vagina, low blood pressure, nausea and vomiting.
• Pancreatitis: Sudden or gradual severe pain in the upper abdomen through to the back and the side may be a sign of pancreatitis. The other symptoms include vomiting, tender abdomen, nausea, fever and fast pulse.
• Some other diseases associated with abdominal pain or sensation are Crohn’s disease, food poisoning, constipation, dysentery, menstrual cramps, and viral infections.

Treatment

Treatment of the pain is based on the underlying cause of the disease. Some of the treatment methods of the abdominal pain are as follows.

• Anti-inflammatory medicines
• Antibiotics
• Over-the-counter antacids
• Surgery

Some tests may also be advised for proper diagnosis.

• Ultrasound of the abdominal region
• Urine, blood and stool tests
• Colonoscopy
• CT scan
• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Small bowel series and upper GI
• Barium enema
• X-ray of the abdominal area

Home Remedies

While treatment will depend on the cause of the pain, some home remedies may help to alleviate symptoms.

• Drink 10 to 12 glasses of water to assist in the proper evacuation of the bowels and in the proper digestion of the food.
• Yogurt provides relief from burning sensation in the stomach.
• Some over-the-counter antacids are useful in curbing acid reflux.  Read the label carefully as the dosage of these medicines is different for the children and adults.
• A glass of cold milk provides instant relief from burning sensation in the stomach.
• Add some crushed cilantro or mint leaves to a glass of cold water and consume immediately to get relief from abdominal burning pain.
• Regular mind and body exercise such as yoga and meditation may reduce the stress on the abdominal region and help in its proper functioning.
• Consume a light diet without any harsh spices and eat regular small meals.
• Always keep a note of the symptoms and the cause of the pain to prevent any further complications.
• If the pain in the stomach persists for several days, it is imperative to consult a doctor to assert the root cause of the pain. Ignoring mild or severe abdominal pain may aggravate the problem. A timely intervention is needed to enable the proper treatment of the disease.

References:

1. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.