What to do?

Non-specific abdominal pain should be clarified by a physician. The more acute and severe these are, the faster the clarification should take place. If accompanying symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea and blood in the stool or urine occur, it is important to act quickly.

Since the situation can be acutely life-threatening, such symptoms should be taken seriously. Depending on the cause, the treating physician initiates different diagnostic means. If the cause is to be found in the gastrointestinal tract, laboratory values, ultrasound, examination of stool samples and colonoscopy are used in addition to the medical history and clinical examination.

If, on the other hand, the problem is urological, urine tests, ultrasound, cystoscopy and other urological examination methods are available. In the case of harmless causes such as gastrointestinal infections, short-term digestive problems or muscular tension, various home remedies help to alleviate the symptoms. If heat is applied to the painful region, it has a relaxing and antispasmodic effect.

Effective remedies are hot water bottles, drinking tea and relaxing baths. Certain teas containing fennel, aniseed and/or caraway soothe the mucous membrane and alleviate nausea. In case of intestinal inflammation, care should be taken to ensure a sufficient supply of fluids and electrolytes.

Hardly digestible foods with high acid and fat content should be avoided during this time. If drinks are well tolerated, one can start with a light diet. Rusk, boiled potatoes and bananas with oat flakes are particularly suitable for this.In the case of cramping pain, a careful massage of the affected abdominal region can help to alleviate the pain.

The complaints cannot always be attributed to a physical cause. Physical symptoms are common in psychologically stressful situations. Psychological counseling or behavioral therapy can be helpful in this case.

Which doctor?

For the clarification of unspecific, slowly increasing lower abdominal pain, the treating family doctor or urologist can first be asked for advice. If the pain is acute and severe, the emergency room of a nearby hospital should be consulted immediately.