Abdominal pain is a common symptom of gastrointestinal disorders. In many cases, abdominal pain can be felt before passing stool. This can have several causes. The first of these is diarrhea. Diarrhea refers to passing loose stools three or more times a day. The next cause can be food poisoning, which refers to an infection of the digestive tract caused by the consumption of contaminated food or drink. Another cause may be dysentery, a gastrointestinal infection that results in diarrhea with mucus and blood in the stool. Other reasons include IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and IBD (inflammatory bowel disease). IBS indicates a functional disorder of the colon/large intestine that causes changes in bowel habits, either diarrhea, constipation, or an alternation between the two; stomach cramps and bloating. IBD includes two conditions, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. IBD is an autoimmune disease (that is, where the body’s immune cells damage the body’s healthy tissues as a result of a misdirected response). In Crohn’s disease, inflammation can occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract, while in ulcerative colitis, inflammation and ulcers occur in the colon and/or rectum.
Several other symptoms may occur along with abdominal pain before bowel movements depending on the cause behind it. These include loose stools, constipation, nausea, vomiting, mucus or blood in the stool, and weight loss.
Homeopathic treatment
Homeopathy provides a very effective treatment for cases of abdominal pain before urination. Homeopathic remedies work naturally to reduce stomach pain. They give excellent results by working to treat the cause behind this complaint. In addition to abdominal pain, other associated complaints and symptoms (e.g. loose stools, constipation, nausea, vomiting, mucus or blood in the stools) can also be effectively treated with these medicines. There is a long list of homeopathic medicines to treat these cases. Based on the characteristic symptoms and the cause, the most suitable medicine is selected for each individual case. Homeopathy is recommended only in cases of abdominal pain before bowel movements that are of mild to moderate intensity. It is advised to always consult a homeopathic doctor before taking any of these medicines. A homeopathic doctor will assess the case and prescribe the most appropriate remedy depending on the individual’s symptoms. Self-medication should be avoided in any case.
Homeopathic medicines for abdominal pain before defecation
1. Aloe Socotrina – Recommended medicine
Aloe Socotrina is a leading homeopathic medicine to treat cases of abdominal pain before defecation. The pain is marked in the lower part of the abdomen when this medicine is needed. The pain can also be felt while passing stool. In addition to the pain, the abdomen also feels heavy and bloated. A rumbling and gurgling sensation is felt in the abdomen. It is accompanied by a sudden urge to have a bowel movement. The pain gets better due to gas formation. After passing stool, all pain disappears. In cases where this is necessary, the stool is loose. In some cases, the stool may contain jelly-like mucus. There is a sudden urge to pass stool immediately after eating or drinking something. Sometimes the stool passes involuntarily on its own.
2. Colocynth – when the pain is better by bending double and applying pressure
The use of Colocynth is recommended if the abdominal pain is improved by bending double, bending forward and by pressure. It also gets better if you lie flat on your stomach. The abdomen is swollen where this medicine is needed. The pain is marked around the navel area and radiates from here to the upper abdomen. The pain gets better with defecation and gas formation. Abdominal pain can be worsened by eating or drinking. In addition to painful belching, nausea and vomiting are present.
3. Bryonia – With dry, hard stools
This medicine is very effective for hard, dry stools and abdominal pain before urination. The pain is felt on both sides of the abdomen. The pain gets worse with movement. The abdomen is swollen. Before the stool is passed, nausea is also felt. After an attack of abdominal pain, a gas with a foul odor is passed. The stool is very dry and looks as if it has been burned. The stool is passed after much effort and is unsatisfactory.
4. Nux Vomica – with constipation and a constant ineffective urge to lose stool
Nux Vomica is a suitable medicine if there is abdominal pain prior to bowel movements and constipation. The main feature of using this medicine is a constant ineffective urge to pass stool. The stool is passed several times a day, but nevertheless it feels unsatisfactory. Only a scant stool passes each time. The ‘never done’ feeling occurs when some of the stool remains in the rectum and needs to be evacuated. The stool is dry and hard and sometimes bloody. Apart from the above, weight is felt in the abdomen. Sour or bitter burps also develop. There may be vomiting of acidic mucus or undigested food.
5. Lycopodium – With excessive gas and bloated abdomen
Lycopodium is a beneficial medicine when there is abdominal pain before passing stool, along with excessive gas and bloating. Pain is usually felt on the right side of the abdomen. Gas and bloating occur shortly after eating. The stomach feels full after eating even a small amount of food. Gas is most prominent in the lower part of the abdomen. In addition to the above complaints, there is constipation. In cases where this medicine is required, the first part of the stool is hard and difficult to pass, followed by soft stools. The stool feels incomplete. In some cases, acid vomiting may occur.
6. Podophyllum – With watery, yellow-green stools
This medicine is well indicated in cases of cramping pain in the abdomen before urination. The stool is watery, yellow or greenish. It smells bad or sour. There is sudden urge to pass stool. The stool is copious and flows out in a stream with great force. Sometimes the stool is also bloody. The stool may contain white or green colored mucus. After passing stool, weakness is felt. Apart from the above, nausea may occur before bowel movements occur.
7. Merc Sol – Along with mucus and blood in the stool
Merc Sol is a well-known medicine when there is abdominal pain before urination and mucus and blood are also excreted along with the stool. The nature of abdominal pain is mainly of the cutting or suture type. The pain is mainly present in the lower abdomen. The abdominal pain is better after passing bloody, mucous stools. Tenesmus is well marked with the above complaints. Tenesmus refers to a frequent, almost constant urge to pass stool, with a feeling of incomplete bowel movements even when the bowels are already empty. In cases where this is necessary, there may be inflammation of the intestines.
8. Magnesia Carb – For reducing abdominal pain before loose stools
This medicine is useful if there is a cutting pain in the abdomen before passing loose stools. In addition, there is excessive gas in the abdomen. The abdomen is quite distended with gas. The stool is greenish and has a sour odor. In some cases, there may also be vomiting of mucus.