Stomach pain, or stomach-ache, is one of the most common symptoms people experience. You might also hear it referred to as abdominal pain – the abdomen is the name for the belly region, from the bottom of your chest down to your waist.
Your stomach is not the only organ in this area, which is why pain in the abdomen can stem from so many different causes. You’ve got other parts of your gut there, such as your intestines, as well as your appendix, liver and kidneys.
If you’re experiencing stomach pain, it’ll often be something related to your gut, from trapped wind and indigestion to having eaten something that disagrees with you. But there are also less common causes that need a bit more attention.
In this article, we look at the many different causes of stomach pain and how to tell them apart. We describe the types of pain you might feel and where each type may appear.
We also explore what you can do when you’re experiencing stomach pain and when to speak with a doctor.
Common causes of stomach pain
Many of the common causes of stomach pain fall into three categories:
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gut-related causes
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inflammatory conditions and infections
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women’s health conditions
For each category, we’ll look at different factors that can cause stomach pain. We’ll describe the type and location of the pain, as well as other symptoms.
Gut-related causes
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
pain type: cramping, stabbing, aching, sharp, throbbing, worst after eating and often relieved by going to the loo
location: often in the lower abdomen, but can be felt across the entire gastrointestinal tract
other symptoms: bloating, diarrhoea, constipation
Trapped wind
pain type: dull or sharp, cramping
location: tummy
other symptoms: bloating, farting, burping, rumbling noises from the gut
Indigestion
pain type: dull or sharp, burning after eating or drinking
location: upper abdomen or lower chest, can sometimes spread to the back
other symptoms: bloating and feeling full after eating, nausea, bringing bitter-tasting fluid or food into your mouth
Constipation
pain type: sharp, particularly when you’re trying to poo, or a dull ache
location: tummy and pelvis area
other symptoms: inability to poo, pooing less than three times in the past week, dry or hard poo, bloating
Food intolerance
pain type: cramping, appearing within 48 hours of eating the triggering food
location: tummy
other symptoms: bloating, farting, diarrhoea, nausea
Inflammatory conditions and infections
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
pain type: severe, cramping, painful urge to poo
location: tummy – mainly on the left side with ulcerative colitis, mainly on the right side with Crohn’s disease
other symptoms: long-term diarrhoea, tiredness, weight loss, blood or mucus in your poo, joint pain, rashes, mouth ulcers
Stomach flu (viral gastroenteritis)
pain type: typically mild and cramping, beginning up to 24 hours after the infection takes hold
location: tummy
other symptoms: diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, mild fever, loss of appetite, aching limbs
Food poisoning or stomach bug
pain type: cramping
location: tummy
other symptoms: nausea, vomiting, watery poo, high temperature
Urinary tract infection
pain type: dull or burning, and it keeps returning
location: lower tummy area, lower back
other symptoms: burning sensation when weeing, needing to wee more than usual, cloudy or bloody wee, tiredness, high temperature
Women’s health
Menstrual cramps
pain type: sharp pain, dull aching, cramping that begins around the start of your period
location: tummy, though cramping can spread to your back and thighs, pelvis
other symptoms: menstrual bleeding, bloating, tiredness
Ovulation pain
pain type: dull or sharp, sudden twinges, occurs around 2 weeks before your period
location: affects one side of the tummy at a time, switches sides
other symptoms: nausea, bloating, breast tenderness, lower back pain
Endometriosis
pain type: severe, can occur during periods, when going to the toilet, and during or after sex
location: lower tummy and back, pelvis
other symptoms: heavy periods, tiredness, shortness of breath, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, difficulty becoming pregnant
Ovarian cysts
pain type: dull and heavy or sudden, severe and sharp, can occur during sex
location: lower tummy, pelvis
other symptoms: difficulty pooing, frequent need to wee, period changes, bloating, feeling full after a small amount of food, difficulty becoming pregnant
Less common causes of stomach pain
Below, we look at other, less common reasons for stomach pain.
Gallstones
pain type: severe, constant and typically lasting 1–5 hours
location: middle of the tummy or the right side of your ribs, may spread to your side or shoulder blade
other symptoms: nausea, vomiting, sweating
Kidney stones
pain type: severe, comes and goes
location: side of the tummy, groin or testicles, may move down to your groin
other symptoms: high temperature, bloody wee, a burning sensation when weeing, aching in your flank
Bladder stones
pain type: severe, dull or sharp, made worse by movements or exercise
location: lower abdomen
other symptoms: pain or difficulty when weeing, more frequent weeing, cloudy or dark wee, bloody wee
Stomach ulcers
pain type: burning, which is often worse at night
location: upper tummy
other symptoms: heartburn, bloating, nausea, vomiting
Diverticulitis
pain type: severe, constant, gets worse after eating and better after pooing or farting
location: lower left side of your tummy, though it can also be on the right
other symptoms: constipation, diarrhoea, bloating, bloody or slimy poo, high temperature
Pancreatitis
pain type: sudden and severe, aching, often steadily worsening, can get worse after eating or drinking, may feel better when you’re leaning forward or curling into a ball
location: middle of the tummy, can move to the back
other symptoms: nausea, vomiting, high temperature, bloating, yellowing whites of the eyes, fast heartbeat, rapid breathing
Appendicitis
pain type: comes and goes, then becomes constant and severe, worsens with coughing or walking
location: middle of the tummy, then moves to the lower right side
other symptoms: nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, constipation, high temperature, weeing more frequently, sudden confusion
Bowel obstruction
pain type: sharp and intense, coming and going in waves
location: tummy
other symptoms: bloating, feeling full, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea, silence or high-pitched sounds from the bowel
Stomach cancer
pain type: discomfort
location: top of tummy
other symptoms: heartburn, nausea, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, lump at top of tummy, loss of appetite, feeling full after a small amount of food, tiredness, swollen tummy, weight loss
Pancreatic cancer
pain type: dull or gnawing, can come and go, may be worse after eating or when lying down
location: top of tummy, can spread to your back or sides
other symptoms: yellowing whites of the eyes, weight loss, constipation, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, bloating, farting, fatigue, frequent poos that are pale, oily and smelly
Ovarian cancer
pain type: frequent, persistent dull ache, feeling of constant pressure
location: tummy (sometimes on one side), pelvis, can sometimes spread to the back
other symptoms: swollen tummy, bloating, loss of appetite, feeling full after a small amount of food, frequently needing to wee, constipation, diarrhoea, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, vaginal bleeding after the menopause
Note: While some of these stomach pain causes are quite serious, it’s worth remembering that they appear less often than other causes, like trapped wind and indigestion. If you’re experiencing stomach pain and are concerned, you should see your doctor.
Types of stomach pain: How to describe it
If you’re speaking with your GP or a pharmacist about stomach pain, it’s really useful to be able to describe what the pain is like. This will help them understand what’s happening and can eventually lead to a diagnosis.
Here are some words you can use to describe what stomach pain feels like and how often it appears:
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dull
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sharp
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burning
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warm
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aching
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gnawing
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cramping
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stabbing
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throbbing
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twinging
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coming and going
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coming in waves
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persistent
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sudden
It also helps to describe how severe the pain is. Here’s how the NHS defines different levels of pain severity:
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mild pain: comes and goes, doesn’t affect your daily activities
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moderate pain: always present, makes it difficult to concentrate or sleep, doesn’t affect your ability to get up, wash or dress
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severe pain: always present, makes it hard to think or talk, prevents sleep, makes it hard to move, go to the toilet, get up, wash or dress
It’s important to work out where the pain is located, too. If it’s mainly on one side or has spread from one area to another, your GP will be able to narrow down the possible causes.
When to seek medical advice about stomach pain
Stomach pain is something you’ll often be able to deal with at home. But in some instances, it’s best to speak with your GP or pharmacist.
The NHS recommend getting an urgent appointment if you have stomach pain that doesn’t get better, or starts getting a lot worse.
You should also try to get an urgent appointment if you have stomach pain and any of these factors:
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bloating that doesn’t get better or keeps coming back
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diarrhoea that doesn’t get better after a few days
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difficulty swallowing food
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pregnancy
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unexplained weight loss
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the need to wee more or less frequently than usual
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painful weeing
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bleeding from your bum
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unusual bleeding or discharge from your vagina
Relief and home care tips
The best thing to do when you have stomach pain will depend on the cause. But here are a few general tips that can help you look after yourself on most occasions:
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Apply a heat pad or hot water bottle where the pain is, as this can soothe certain aches.
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Drink plenty of fluids to help keep things moving through your gut. This can be useful for bloating and constipation, and it can replace fluids lost from diarrhoea or vomiting.
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Eat easy-to-digest meals, like soups and smoothies to go gentle on your digestive system while you still get important nutrients and energy.
If you’re looking for ways to deal with a specific cause at home, we have some articles that may help:
Looking after your gut
Most common causes of stomach pain relate to your gut. So, taking steps to support your gut health could help in the long run and may reduce your risk of many different stomach pain causes.
Here are five classic tips for supporting your gut health by being strategic about what you eat:
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Focus on fibre. The bacteria in your gut feed on fibre, and when they break down and ferment it, they can produce useful compounds like short-chain fatty acids. Other types of fibre help with the movement of food (and later poo) through your bowel.
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‘Eat the rainbow.’ Having a variety of different-coloured fruits and veg in your diet means you’ll be feeding your gut bacteria a range of different types of fibre, which they love. You’ll also be getting plenty of plant chemicals called polyphenols. These are also good for your gut bacteria and support good health.
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Try probiotics. Probiotics are live microbes that support your health when you consume enough of them. Probiotic supplements can come as powders, liquids or capsules.
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Include fermented foods. Fermented foods often contain live bacteria and beneficial compounds created by the fermentation process. They may also help reduce inflammation. Some tasty examples include natural yoghurt, sauerkraut and kombucha.
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Limit ultra-processed foods. Ultra-processed foods are often low in fibre and high in added sugars, salt and unhealthy fats.
Also, try to take your time when you’re eating. This will aid digestion, which means your gut will have less work to do once you’ve swallowed. You’ll also take in less air, which can lower your chances of experiencing bloating, indigestion and trapped wind.
Here are other ways to support your gut health through your general lifestyle:
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Exercise regularly.
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Aim to get 7–9 hours of sleep each night.
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Try to reduce your stress levels.
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Limit alcohol, if you drink.
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Stop smoking.
Read about Dr Hazel Wallace’s six gut health tips here.
Summary
Stomach pain is a symptom with many different causes. These range from things like trapped wind and indigestion to gut conditions like IBD and diverticulitis.
Most reasons for stomach pain aren’t serious, and you’ll usually be able to manage the issue at home with rest, fluids and being gentle to your gut.
Because most stomach pain causes relate to your gut, taking steps to support your gut health can help reduce your chances of experiencing some triggers for stomach pain, such as constipation.
If you’re not sure about the cause of your stomach pain, keep an eye out for other symptoms and be kind to yourself. If you’re worried, or things aren’t getting better, your GP or a pharmacist can offer advice.
To learn more about other gut health topics, visit Symprove’s Gut Hub.
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