Possible accompanying symptoms of abdominal pain at night
In addition to the nocturnal abdominal pain, the following complaints can also occur: nausea vomiting constipation diarrhoea flatulence heartburn pain when passing water and frequent urination fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Flatulence
- Heartburn
- Pain when urinating and frequent urge to urinate
- Fever
Nocturnal flatulence can have various causes: A sumptuous meal in the evening, for example, which has not been good for the stomach, or a still unrecognized food intolerance to foods eaten in the evening. Other possible causes are kinked intestinal loops caused by adhesions in the abdomen, which prevent the intestinal gases from being transported further. The intestinal gases then remain in the intestine and blow up the abdomen virtually from the inside, causing flatulence.
Constipation can be another reason for flatulence at night, the stool remaining in the intestine blocks the further transport of the intestinal gases to the outside. Flatulence occurs more frequently at night because the muscles of the rectum relax. The digestive gases escape spontaneously.
The flatulence can be reduced by eating early in the evening. To a certain extent, nocturnal flatulence is normal. However, if this occurs together with abdominal pain or other symptoms such as an inflated abdomen, this can indicate increased gas development in the intestine.
The physician will already receive initial indications of the underlying trigger during the medical history and will take further diagnostic steps accordingly. In many cases, a change in diet and early evening meals can help. One-sided food, which consists primarily of carbohydrates, sugar or proteins, should be avoided.
The following topic could also be of interest to you: Stomach pains at nightSpasmodic stomach pains at night followed by diarrhoea are unusual and may indicate an organic disease. Depending on the timing of the event – whether it is of short duration or chronic – different causes can be considered. An acute gastrointestinal infection is often accompanied by symptoms that are independent of the time of day.
One-sided eating habits with, for example, a high sugar content, as well as food intolerances and allergic reactions can also act as triggers for night-time diarrhoea. These are usually associated with evening meals. In the context of irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhoea at night is not usually observed, whereas this is certainly the case in chronic bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease). The stool may then possibly show slight deposits of blood.
Treatment of abdominal pain during the night
Depending on the underlying cause of the abdominal pain at night, there are different treatment methods. – If the cause of the abdominal pain is a reflux disease with heartburn, it is recommended to change your diet: Abstaining from alcohol, nicotine, fatty, acidic and spicy foods can provide sufficient relief in many cases. Fennel or chamomile tea helps to calm the irritated mucous membrane in the stomach and oesophagus.
Severe forms must be treated with medication (proton pump inhibitors), at least temporarily. – Abstaining from alcohol, nicotine, fatty, acidic and spicy foods provides sufficient relief in many cases. – Fennel or chamomile tea helps to calm the irritated mucous membrane in the stomach and oesophagus.
- Severe forms must be treated with medication (proton pump inhibitors), at least temporarily. – A stomach ulcer is also treated with proton pump inhibitors. – An inflammation of the stomach mucous membrane must be treated with antibiotics after diagnosis.
Patients with stomach problems should avoid Aspirin®. – If severe flatulence is the cause of stomach pain at night, camomile or fennel tea can help, and a hot-water bottle or antispasmodic medication (e.g. Buscopan®) can also help. – Patients with constipation should make sure that they drink enough during the day and consume enough fibre to keep the stool soft.
- If the abdominal pain is caused by appendicitis, gallstones, kidney stones or ureteral stones, further treatment should be carried out after consulting a doctor. – Abstaining from alcohol, nicotine, fatty, acidic and spicy foods provides sufficient relief in many cases. – Fennel or chamomile tea helps to calm the irritated mucous membrane in the stomach and oesophagus. – Severe forms must be treated with medication (proton pump inhibitors), at least temporarily.
