In many cases, abdominal pain does not require immediate medical care. A number of home remedies and over-the-counter medications can be used to treat abdominal pain.

Common relief options for mild abdominal pain include:

• Sipping water or other clear liquids, or sucking on ice chips.
  
  
• Avoiding solid food for the first few hours after the appearance of the pain (six hours after vomiting). Patients can then eat small meals consisting of mild food, such as toast or applesauce.
  
  
• Trying thermotherapy, such as a hot-water bottle. This can sometimes ease even deep abdominal pain.
  
  

Many medications are available to treat the various sources of abdominal pain. Patients are advised to consult their physician before taking over-the-counter as well as prescription drugs. The medications include:

• Antacids. Neutralize excess stomach acid to ease heartburn.
  
  
• H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors. Reduce stomach acid to relieve conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
  
  
• Acetaminophen. A common painkiller. However, acetaminophen is not recommended if the abdominal pain is due to a liver condition.
  
  
• Laxatives. Relieve constipation if diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes do not help.
  
  
• Antidiarrheals. Treat persistent diarrhea.
  
  
• Antiemetics. Relieve symptoms of or prevent nausea and vomiting.
  
  
• Prokinetics. Stimulate contractions of stomach muscles to ease conditions including GERD and gastroparesis.
  
  
• Antimicrobials. Group that includes antibiotics to fight bacterial infections, antivirvals to fight viral infections and antiparasitics to fight parasitic infections.
  
  
• Antispasmodics. Ease gastrointestinal cramps or spasms.
  
  
• Corticosteroids, aminosalicylates and other anti-inflammatories. Ease conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease.

Although these methods may provide relief for some forms of abdominal pain, such as those caused by heartburn, relief is dependent on the cause of the pain. If abdominal pain persists or worsens after trying these remedies patients should contact their physician immediately. Some causes require medical attention and prescription medications. Other causes, such as appendicitis, require immediate surgery.

Certain types of chronic abdominal discomfort can sometimes be eased with pain management methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy, stress management, biofeedback, hypnosis, acupuncture or acupressure.

In many cases abdominal pain may be prevented by:

• Eating small meals more frequently to prevent overeating
  
  
• Eating meals that are well balanced and high in fiber, including plenty of fruits and vegetables
  
  
• Limiting foods that cause gas
  
  
• Avoiding high-fat foods, fried or greasy foods, citrus fruits and juices, tomato products, caffeine, alcohol and carbonated beverages
  
  
• Keeping a food diary to identify problematic foods
  
  
• Avoiding aspirin, ibuprofen, opioids and other medications that may irritate the digestive tract, unless prescribed by a physician
  
  
• Drinking enough water
  
  
• Exercising regularly
  
  
• Avoiding meals shortly before bedtime