Yoga for pain in lower abdomen

(June 15, 2011)

Does the pain in lower abdomen have any connections with kapalbhati? Is there any disadvantage in doing kapalbhati if there is colon problem, heart problem, blood pressure and spondilitis?

Pain in the abdomen could be caused by any of the organs in the abdominal cavity, be it pancreas, gallbladder, intestines, appendix, or the kidneys. The severity of the pain and the area where the pain occurs, whether it is the left or to the right side and whether the pain is accompanied by fever, blood in the vomit and so on, should be taken into account before deciding whether it is medical emergency or if you just need to take a painkiller and rest for a while. Both men and women may experience pain the lower abdomen while coughing, urinating, after eating, and after running, whereas menstruation pain and pregnancy related pain is, of course, only specific to women.

Pain in lower abdomen in females could be due to ovarian cysts, pelvic inflammatory disease, or even fibroids. Pain in abdomen during pregnancy is worrying because it could be the first sign of a miscarriage, and pain in lower abdomen during pregnancy on one side could be due to an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg does not travel down the fallopian tube to get implanted in the uterus, but instead gets implanted in the fallopian tube itself. Obviously, the embryo does not grow beyond a point and often results in a spontaneous miscarriage, though in some cases, it may also rupture the fallopian tube, resulting in vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain.

Pain in abdomen after eating or drinking could be caused by allergies or certain intolerances like lactose intolerance or food poisoning. Even constipation and gas can lead to sharp pain in abdomen. Those suffering from diarrhea and dysentery may experience pain in lower abdomen and rectum after bowel movement, particularly if they pass blood or mucus with the stools, while pain in the lower abdomen and rectal area could be result of intestinal obstruction, which can be life threatening.

Pain in left abdomen is said to be more common among women and young adults, though pain in lower abdomen on the left side could be caused by any of the diseases that affect both men and women such as stomach ulcers, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, or a tumor in the stomach or bowels. Gallstones and appendicitis are the most common causes of pain in right abdomen, and kidney stones are known to cause pain in the lower abdomen and back as well as in the groin. Pain in lower abdomen when coughing is often related to inflammatory conditions such as appendicitis, pancreatitis, or diverticulitis.

Urinary tract infection or kidney stones may be the cause of pain in lower abdomen in men, when urinating or after urinating. The urge to urinate frequently is also common in such cases. Tumors may also be the cause of pain. Pain in lower abdomen and lower back in both women and men is most often due to kidney stones, and the severity of the pain varies with the size of the stone in each individual. The pain in lower abdomen and lower back could also be due to pancreatitis, gallstones, and nephritis, which is a bacterial infection in the kidneys and the pelvis area. People with a tendency to urinary tract infection are prone to a kind of nephritis called pyelonephritis, which is characterized by fever, pain while urinating, nausea and headache.

Stabbing pain in lower abdomen in an otherwise healthy male usually is the result of testicular torsion, a twisting of testicles that cuts of blood supply to tissues, which results in pain in lower abdomen and testicles. As hysterectomy is a major operation, pain in lower abdomen after hysterectomy is likely to last for at least a couple of weeks, though with time, the intensity is reduced. Some women experience a burning sensation at the site of the incision, while others become constipated or feel bloated after the procedure, along with pain in the abdomen.

Exercise related abdominal pain is reported often by runners who feel pain in lower abdomen after running. Causes could be inflammation of the joints of pelvic bones, a fibroid in the uterus in women runners, or irritation of the bladder or the urethra. A simple explanation for abdominal cramps in runners could be dehydration due to excessive perspiration or diarrhea. Accumulation of gas could also lead to abdominal pain. Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, and cancers in the uterus, fallopian tubes, intestines, or kidneys can all be the reasons behind the pain in the lower abdomen. Blood, urine and stool tests and X-rays and imaging techniques may be used to investigate the causes of abdominal pain before starting any treatment.

Sudden onset of pain may be because of an obstruction such as a gallstone or a kidney stone or an abdominal aneurism. Blood in the stools or urine, fever and chills, vomiting or fainting that accompanies severe abdominal pain call for immediate medical attention. Pain caused by gastroesophagal reflux disease or ulcers may be eased by antacids, while gas and constipation related pain the abdomen usually disappears once gas or stools are passed. Fever along with pain in the abdomen is usually a sign of inflammation of one of the vital internal organs. The presence of a lump or a mass that is tender to the touch indicates inflammation and possible enlargement of an internal organ or an abscess with the collection of pus from an infected organ. Ultrasound procedures or an endoscopy may be performed to ascertain the condition of the organs in the abdomen and to rule out tumors and obstructions.

Children refer to pain anywhere from the chest to the groin as a tummy ache and are comforted with home remedies, plenty of rest and light food that is easy to digest. However, if the pain lasts more than a couple of hours and the child develops a fever or vomiting, it may be best to consult a pediatrician. Home remedies for abdominal pain may appear to work as long as the child is lying down, but once the child starts moving around, the pain may intensify. Eating balanced diets with plenty of fiber ensures that there is abdominal pain due to gas and bloating. Drinking plenty of water everyday ensures that toxins get flushed out of the system daily.

Submitted by A on June 15, 2011 at 05:22

There is no disadvantage in doing Kapalabhatti (Skull cleansing) if you are suffering from pain in the lower abdomen, colon problems, heart problems, blood pressure or spondylitis, so long as they are not acute. If they are acute, then Kapalabhatti (Skull cleansing) could have adverse effects, in which you should reduce the activity.

Let us understand how. In the case of colon problem, heart problem, blood pressure or spondylitis, first of all, exerting pressure of any sort is inadvisable. Secondly, Kapalabhatti (Skull cleansing), is hyper-ventilation and not conducive to acute health conditions of any sort. You have not given the details of these health conditions, nor their severity. In the absence of detailed clinical information, it becomes difficult to give specific answers.

There is a problem practising Kapalabhatti (Skull cleansing) if you are suffering from pain in lower abdomen, colon problem, heart problem, blood pressure or spondylitis, but not in the case of mild indispositions; for, in mild cases, Kapalabhatti is therapeutic.

Kapalabhatti (Skull cleansing) is both, a Kriya (cleansing technique) as well as a Pranayama (breathing exercise). In fact, it is a prelude to all Pranayamas and, in many instances, is known to help heal respiratory conditions such as Sinusitis, Asthma and Chronic Bronchitis even without the aid of other Pranayamas (breathing exercises).

This is because Kapalabhatti (Skull cleansing) is, first and foremost a cleansing Pranayama (breathing exercise). According to Yoga, there are 5 Pranas in our breath. These are:

1. Prana
2. Apana
3. Samana
4. Vyana
5. Udana

Prana is said to govern respiration; Samana, digestion; Vyana governs blood circulation; Apana governs discharge of urine and faeces and Udana governs deglutition (swallowing). Kapalabhatti (Skull cleansing), as precursor to Pranayamas, first of all, makes the way for the entry of these pranas into the system, secondly, through hyper-ventilation it helps absorb only the pranas necessary for the body at that point of time. So, even by itself, Kapalabhatti is actually, very a beneficial practice.

So, while no Pranayama practice is complete without Kapalabhatti, it also holds true that certain precautions are in order particularly in acute conditions. This includes acute Diabetes, Piles and Ocular problems as well.

Submitted by A on February 25, 2009 at 07:05