Stomach aches are a common complaint and can have a variety of causes.
They usually don’t last long, and aren’t often triggered by anything serious.
According to the NHS, they are most often due to trapped wind, discomfort after eating known as indigestion, or constipation – being unable to poo.
The pain should pass on its own.
However, if your stomach pain is accompanied by other symptoms, you may need to see your doctor.
This includes if the pain gets worse in a short space of time, if it won’t go away, you have unexpected weight loss, you have unusual vaginal discharge, you bleed from your bottom, or you have a persistent change in toilet habits.
If you start experiencing severe stomach pain, pain when you touch your stomach, are vomiting blood, have bloody or black stools, aren’t able to urinate, have collapsed, or are diabetic and vomiting, you should call an ambulance or go to your nearest A&E.
Such sudden, abdominal pain can be caused by a number of conditions.
These include appendicitis – which can prove fatal – a stomach ulcer, acute cholecystitis caused by gallstones, kidney stones, a type of inflammation of the bowel called diverticulitis, or a pulled muscle in your abdomen.
Sometimes stomach pain can be long-term or recurring.
In this case it may be irritable bowel syndrome – a problem with the digestive system that affects one in five people at some point in their lives.
It could also be inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Other reasons why stomach pain may reappear or last for a long time include a urinary tract infection, constipation, period pain and heart burn.
Stomach pain often accompanies bloating.
Certain foods can cause bloating, including bread if you suffer from coeliac disease and avocados.
The latter are high in fibre which some people can be intolerant to.
Additionally, stomach discomfort and bloating together may indicate ovarian cancer.
Daily Express :: Life and Style Feed
