Many people experience stomach pain at one time or another, but the reason can vary. It could be related to digestion, injury or infection, or it might have come from something outside your body.
The exact cause of your belly pain is hard to pinpoint, because there are so many organs and structures in that part of your body. But a doctor can usually figure out what’s wrong by asking you about your symptoms, where the pain is located and how it feels.
You should also tell your doctor if you have a history of abdominal pain and if you’ve had it before. If you have had it before, it may help your doctor find the cause of your current pain.
Abdominal pain is often a symptom of digestive problems like indigestion, constipation and diarrhea. It can also be a sign of an underlying condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome or celiac disease. Other causes include allergies and food poisoning, and stomach viruses.
Stomach and intestine infections can cause inflammation, which can make your stomach and bowel feel painful. It can also lead to bloating and gas, which can make your belly hurt.
If your stomach is inflamed, your doctor will likely recommend antibiotics or gut healing tonic to treat the infection. This will relieve your stomach’s pain and prevent you from getting sick.
Other conditions that can cause abdominal pain include stomach ulcers and duodenal ulcers. These can be treated with acid-reducing medications and antibiotics. Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis) is another chronic inflammatory condition that can cause pain.
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and your medical history, and they will perform a physical exam. They’ll check your blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory and digestive function, as well as looking at your abdomen. They’ll ask you questions about how long the pain has been happening, and whether it’s getting better or worse.
They’ll also ask you about any other health problems you have, such as diabetes and high cholesterol. You might need a blood test or an X-ray to find out what’s causing your abdominal pain.
In most cases, your stomach pain will go away on its own after a few days. However, you should call your doctor if it lasts longer than this or you’ve lost weight and it doesn’t seem to get better on its own.
You should also see your doctor if your abdominal pain is sudden or severe, if you have a fever, a loss of appetite, have been vomiting, have a yellowish skin tone, have a bad headache, are experiencing unexplained weight loss, or have any new or unusual symptoms.
The doctor will likely do a physical exam and may order tests, such as an X-ray or ultrasound. They’ll also ask you about your diet and any other changes you’ve made to try to find out what is causing the pain.
If the GP thinks your problem is more serious, they will refer you to hospital for a medical consultation and treatment. This is particularly important if you have a fever, bloody stool or severe abdominal pain that won’t ease within 30 minutes or if it occurs when you move your abdominal area.