Abdominal pain is the discomfort you feel in your belly. You can feel this discomfort anywhere from ribs to the pelvis. It is also known as stomach ache or stomach pain. The pain can also occur from damage or injury to other abdominal organs besides your stomach.
If you experience a brief episode of pain, it is an acute pain. However, it is considered a chronic situation when you have abdominal pain for more than months. Abdominal pain can come in various forms. For example, you may experience cramps that come and go. Similarly, you may experience stabbing pain to constant, dull abdominal aching. The intensity may differ, but you must not ignore abdominal pain. Even mild stomach pain can be a cause of concern.
Remember that abdominal pain is a subjective symptom that healthcare professionals cannot measure. That is why you have to describe the pain intensity and other symptoms to your doctor.
Abdominal pain is often accompanied by other symptoms like fever, vomiting, or diarrhoea. Moreover, the pain may be felt at a particular location or throughout the stomach. So next time, if you wonder, ‘Why my stomach is paining’, it is best to first understand if it is acute or chronic pain.
How common are stomach aches?
Stomach aches are widespread, and everyone will experience this condition at some point in their lives. Most abdominal pains are not severe and get resolved with home remedies and OTC medications. A healthcare provider can readily and easily diagnose these conditions. However, stomach pain can also result from a medical emergency or an underlying health condition. For example, 5% of emergency room visits occur because of abdominal pain.
If you experience abdominal pain frequently, you may visit Ujala Cygnus Central Hospital and ask the experts why your stomach is aching.
Why does my stomach hurt?
Stomach pain can occur from various problems. Any damage to the gallbladder, pancreas, liver, stomach, intestine and abdominal wall can cause stomach pain. Sometimes, tummy pain may result from pain in the chest, back, or pelvis.
During the diagnosis, abdominal wall pain can be missed as the doctors focus on internal organs. However, if the doctors focus their attention on the wall, it is easy to control the discomfort. If you strain your abdominal wall muscle due to exertion, you may tell your doctor about the stomach pain. Such pain is not caused by gallbladder stones or other diseased internal organs.
If you wonder, ‘Why does my stomach hurt?’ you may check your medical history to understand the causes.
Healthcare providers can determine the source of intense pain by taking a detailed history from you. You may narrate your medical condition before your doctor. It will help them understand the causes of stomach aches. Additionally, you may be required to answer a few questions in detail. Some physicians may ask you to narrate the story or ask specific questions to understand the causes of the pain. Taking your medical history is more crucial than physical examinations. After a medical history and physical examination, you may be required to undergo diagnostic tests.
What are the common causes of abdominal pain?
There is not a particular problem that causes abdominal pain. They may result from multiple reasons. Any abnormality in the digestive issues can cause abdominal pain and make you think, “Why my stomach is aching so much?”
The common causes of abdominal pain include:
Digestive issues
- Constipation
- Gas
- Indigestion
Are you wondering, ‘Why does my stomach hurt when I remain on fast for long hours?’ It could be because of gas and indigestion.
Abdominal problems
- Appendicitis
- Food poisoning
- Food allergies
- Diverticulitis
- Gallstones
- Hernia
- GERD
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Kidney stones
- Stomach flu
- Ulcers
Pelvic problems
- Endometriosis
- Menstrual cramps
- Ovarian cysts
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Urinary tract infections
Chest problems
- Blood clots in the lungs
- Heart attack
- Pneumonia
The abdomen consists of various organs, and any problem with these organs might cause pain. Therefore, it is vital to take proper medical consultation to improve abdominal pain.
How is stomach pain in children different?
15% of children between 5-16 years face abdominal pain. Many times, the tummy ache may occur due to constipation. Other causes of tummy pain in children include:
- Appendicitis
- GERD
- Milk allergy
- Strep throat
- Urinary Tract Infection
These causes can be treated after consulting a child specialist.
How is abdominal pain treated?
Abdominal pain treatment depends on its causes. However, the treatment options include:
- Medications for inflammation, GERD, and ulcers
- Antibiotics
- Changes in personal behaviour for abdominal pain caused by eating habits
- Local or spinal injections of numbing agents
In severe cases like hernia, you may require surgery. Next time before you visit your doctor to ask, “Why my stomach is paining?” you may try these over-the-counter medications for pain management.
Which symptoms of abdominal pain are the cause of concern?
If you have severe abdominal pain or the pain is accompanied by the following symptoms, you must contact a specialist.
- Nausea, fever, or the inability to keep food down for several days
- Bloody stools
- Difficulty breathing
- Vomiting blood
- Pain during pregnancy
- The abdomen is tender to touch
- Pain lasts for several days
- Pain resulting from abdominal injuries
These symptoms may indicate an internal inflammation, infection, or bleeding. In rare cases, these symptoms may occur due to abdominal, colorectal, and ovarian cancer.
Why does my stomach hurt? First, see a specialist understand the reasons for stomach pain. Moreover, you may call Ujala Cygnus Central Hospital to book your appointment and understand why your stomach is paining.
