Here's How To Know If The Stomach Pain You're Feeling Is Something More Serious

If your stomach pain doesn’t exactly match the descriptions above ― or you don’t think it’s severe enough to warrant a trip to the emergency room right away ― then there are some things you can try at home first to see if it helps.

For starters, Raufman suggested going easy on your diet to see if it helps your symptoms. Eat foods like “crackers, bananas, or other easily digestible foods and [drink] plenty of water,” he said. 

Next, you can try over-the-counter medications. “A trial of Tums, Pepcid, or Mylanta for heartburn or upper abdominal burning can be done before going to the ER,” Sprung said. “If symptoms are a lot better, then continue that until you can get to your doctor.”

Lastly, if you think your stomach pain is related to constipation or gas, Patel recommended light exercise to help move your colon, over-the-counter gas (e.g. simethicone) or constipation (e.g. Miralax, stool softener) medications, and fiber-rich foods to help. 

At the end of the day, you know your body better than anyone else. If you notice something doesn’t feel right or the pain doesn’t subside, you’ll want to take a visit to the emergency room just in case. It’s always better to be cautious.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.