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How to Stop Stomach Pain at Night?

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Medically Reviewed by Dr. Aman Priya Khanna
Written by Charu Shrivastava, last updated on 30 September 2023| min read
How to Stop Stomach Pain at Night?

Quick Summary

  • Sudden stomach pain at night is quite common
  • It can be caused by various reasons, such as gas, indigestion, gallstones, or appendicitis
  • If you experience sudden stomach pain at night, it is important to see a doctor to rule out any serious medical conditions

Have you ever felt sudden stomach pain at night? This is quite common, but if it occurs often, it could indicate some underlying medical issue. Now, questions like why this pain is occurring and how to stop stomach pain at night are bound to arise if you’re experiencing pain. 

Nighttime abdominal pain, sometimes called stomach pain, can occur because of various reasons. Often, it is due to gas or indigestion, but there may be more severe issues, such as gallstones or appendicitis.

This blog covers aspects of sudden stomach pain at night, why it occurs and how to stop stomach pain at night. Keep reading more to find out if you or someone around you is suffering from the same! 

Is Stomach Pain at night normal?

Stomach pain at night is not always considered normal; in some cases, it may be a sign of an underlying condition.

However, some people may experience mild stomach discomfort at night due to indigestion after eating a heavy meal, eating spicy food or having certain food intolerances. It's important to keep a food diary to track what you eat and what symptoms you experience; this can identify any potential triggers.

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Why does Stomach pain occur at night?

There are many likely causes of stomach pain at night, and the specific cause can depend on a person's age, overall health, and other factors. Some common causes of stomach pain at night include:

  1. Indigestion or heartburn: These conditions can cause stomach pain, bloating, and discomfort, especially after eating a large meal or lying down.
  2. Constipation: This can cause abdominal pain, bloating, and discomfort, especially if you are straining to have a bowel movement.
  3. Menstrual cramps: Many women experience abdominal pain during their menstrual cycle, which can be more intense at night.
  4. Urinary tract infection (UTI): UTIs can cause abdominal pain, a frequent urge to urinate and pain or burning when urinating.
  5. Appendicitis: This condition is characterised by pain in the lower right side of the stomach that may become more severe at night. It requires immediate medical attention.
  6. Gallstones: These small, hard stones that form in the gallbladder can cause abdominal pain, especially after eating a fatty meal.
  7. Gastroenteritis: This condition, also known as stomach flu, is caused by a bacterial or viral infection and can cause abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and vomiting.

How to Stop Stomach Pain at Night?

Home remedies on how to stop stomach pain at night

There are multiple home remedies that you can try before taking over-the-counter medications and going to a doctor. Some home remedies on how to stop stomach pain at night according to different causes: 

Cause of stomach pain

Home remedies

Indigestion or heartburn

Avoid trigger foods, stay upright after eating, chew gum to increase saliva production

Constipation Stay hydrated, increase fibre intake, and exercise regularly

Menstrual cramps

Apply heat, take over-the-counter pain medication (e.g., ibuprofen), get plenty of rest

Urinary tract infection (UTI)

Drink plenty of fluids, avoid caffeinated beverages

Appendicitis

Get immediate medical attention

Gallstones

Avoid high-fat meals, stay hydrated

Gastroenteritis

Get plenty of rest, drink fluids to prevent dehydration, avoid solid foods until symptoms improve

Medications for Stomach Pain at Night

Here is a table outlining some common causes of stomach pain in females and potential treatment options for how to stop stomach pain at night:

Cause of stomach pain

Treatment options

Menstrual cramps

Over-the-counter pain medication (e.g., ibuprofen), heat therapy, hormonal birth control

Ovarian cysts

Pain medication, hormonal birth control, surgery

Endometriosis

Hormonal birth control, pain medication, surgery

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Antibiotics, surgery

Ectopic pregnancy

Surgery

Urinary tract infection (UTI)

Antibiotics

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Diet and lifestyle changes, medication (e.g., antispasmodics, antidepressants)

Lifestyle Changes for stomach pain at night

Many lifestyle changes can avoid sudden stomach pain at night, depending on the cause of the pain. Some potential changes include:

  1. Avoiding trigger foods: If indigestion or heartburn is causing your stomach pain, try avoiding foods that tend to trigger these symptoms, such as spicy, fatty, or acidic foods.
  2. Staying hydrated: Drinking plenty of water and other fluids can reduce constipation, which can cause abdominal pain.
  3. Eating smaller, more frequent meals: Eating smaller, more frequent meals can reduce bloating and discomfort.
  4. Avoid lying down after eating: Lying down immediately after eating can cause heartburn and indigestion, so try to wait at least three hours after eating before going to bed.
  5. Quitting smoking: Smoking can irritate the stomach lining and increase the risk of heartburn and other digestive issues.
  6. Managing stress: Stress can exacerbate digestive issues and increase the risk of stomach pain. Engaging yourself in stress-reducing activities such as yoga, meditation, or exercises can reduce stomach pain at night.

If you are unsure of the cause of your stomach pain in the middle of the night or if your symptoms persist despite lifestyle changes, you must speak with a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

When to see a doctor?

It is important to speak to a healthcare provider if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms along with stomach pain at night:

  1. Stomach pain is severe or sudden
  2. Pain persists despite home remedies or lifestyle changes.
  3. If you are experiencing other symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, or blood in your stool, along with stomach pain at night.
  4. Pain is severe enough to wake you up at night.

Takeaway

In summary, stomach pain at night can be caused because of  various factors, and it is important to know about proper diagnosis and treatment options. Taking steps to manage your symptoms and prevent stomach pain at night can improve your sleep quality and overall health.

If your abdominal pain persists or is severe at night, you must speak to a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and treatment. They can determine the cause of your pain and recommend the most appropriate treatment options. You can contact HexaHealth experts for their valuable advice! They will surely guide you through the best treatment possible.

Suggested Reads:

  1. Left Side Stomach Pain Reasons for Female
  2. Types of Stomach Pain Female
  3. How to Stop Stomach Pain at Night
  4. Acupressure Points for Stomach Pain

Frequently Asked Questions

There are a few things you can try to get rid of a stomach ache in 5 minutes at night: taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, applying heat to your stomach with a warm water bottle or heating pad, trying deep breathing or relaxation techniques, sipping on peppermint or chamomile tea, and avoiding solid foods if your stomach ache is due to indigestion or nausea.

There are many potential causes of stomach pain at night, such as indigestion or heartburn from eating a large meal or consuming spicy or acidic foods, constipation, food poisoning, infections like the stomach flu or a urinary tract infection, stress or anxiety, and hormonal changes in women. 

There are a few positions that may alleviate stomach pain: lying on your back with a pillow under your head and knees can relieve pressure on your stomach and reduce pain; lying on your left side with a pillow between your legs can reduce acid reflux and heartburn; lying on your right side can relieve bloating and gas; and sitting up with your head and shoulders elevated can reduce the discomfort of acid reflux and heartburn. It is also a good idea to avoid lying down immediately after eating, as this can contribute to indigestion and heartburn.

Drinking water can alleviate stomach pain in some cases. Dehydration can cause stomach pain and discomfort, so drinking water can rehydrate your body and reduce pain. Water can also flush out toxins and bacteria that may be causing stomach pain.

It can be difficult to determine if stomach pain is serious or not without seeking medical attention. In general, stomach pain that is severe and persistent, or accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, vomiting, or diarrhoea, may be a sign of a more serious underlying condition. If you are experiencing stomach pain and are unsure of its cause, it is important to speak with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.

The duration of a stomach ache can vary widely, depending on the cause. Some stomach aches may only last a few minutes, while others can persist for several days. In most cases, a stomach ache that lasts for just a day or two is not cause for concern and can be managed with home remedies such as rest, hydration, and over-the-counter pain medication.

Several common characteristics of gas-related stomach pain can determine if your pain is due to gas. Gas pain is typically felt in the lower abdomen, although it can also be felt in the upper abdomen and chest. It is usually described as a dull, cramping sensation and often occurs after meals. Gas pain may be relieved by passing gas or having a bowel movement and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as bloating, belching, and flatulence.

There is some evidence to suggest that milk may help to alleviate stomach pain in some cases. Milk has been shown to neutralise stomach acid and can provide a protective coating on the stomach lining, which may reduce the irritation and inflammation caused by excess acid. Additionally, milk can bind to and remove toxins from the digestive system, which may reduce the severity of stomach pain. However, it is important to note that milk may not be suitable for everyone. It may worsen stomach pain or cause other digestive symptoms in some individuals, particularly those who are lactose intolerant.

Last Updated on: 30 September 2023

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational and learning purposes only. It doesn't cover every medical condition and might not be relevant to your personal situation. This information isn't medical advice, isn't meant for diagnosing any condition, and shouldn't replace talking to a certified medical or healthcare professional.

Reviewer

Dr. Aman Priya Khanna

Dr. Aman Priya Khanna

MBBS, DNB General Surgery, Fellowship in Minimal Access Surgery, FIAGES

12 Years Experience

Dr Aman Priya Khanna is a well-known General Surgeon, Proctologist and Bariatric Surgeon currently associated with HealthFort Clinic, Health First Multispecialty Clinic in Delhi. He has 12 years of experience in General Surgery and worke...View More

Author

Charu Shrivastava

Charu Shrivastava

BSc. Biotechnology I MDU and MSc in Medical Biochemistry (HIMSR, Jamia Hamdard)

2 Years Experience

Skilled in SEO and passionate about creating informative and engaging medical content. Her proofreading and content writing for medical websites is impressive. She creates informative and engaging content that educ...View More

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