Stomach ache and abdominal pain
Stomach ache and abdominal pain
Overview
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Stomach aches are cramps or dull aches in the tummy (abdomen).
Most stomach aches do not usually last long and are often not serious. Severe abdominal pain can be more serious.
Abdominal pain self-help guide
Advice for adults with abdominal pain.
Complete our self-help guide to check your symptoms and find out what to do next.
Common Symptoms
Symptom information is not available for this condition yet.
Emergency Warning Signs
Phone 999 or go to A&E if:
- you’re less than 16 weeks pregnant and have severe abdominal pain
- you have a stomach ache that came on very suddenly or is severe
- it hurts when you touch your stomach
- you’re vomiting blood or your vomit looks like ground coffee
- your poo is bloody or black and sticky and extremely smelly
- you can’t pee
- you can’t poo or fart
- you can’t breathe
- you have chest pain
- you have diabetes and you’re vomiting
- someone has collapsed
Speak to your GP practice if:
- your stomach ache gets much worse quickly
- stomach pain or bloating will not go away or keeps coming back
- you have repeated bouts of stomach cramps and diarrhoea
- you have stomach pain and problems with swallowing food
- you’re losing weight without trying to
- you suddenly pee more often or less often
- peeing is suddenly painful
- you bleed from your bottom or vagina, or have abnormal discharge from your vagina
- you have diarrhoea that does not go away after a few days
If your GP practice is closed, phone 111.
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
When to See a Doctor
Phone 999 or go to A&E if:
- you’re less than 16 weeks pregnant and have severe abdominal pain
- you have a stomach ache that came on very suddenly or is severe
- it hurts when you touch your stomach
- you’re vomiting blood or your vomit looks like ground coffee
- your poo is bloody or black and sticky and extremely smelly
- you can’t pee
- you can’t poo or fart
- you can’t breathe
- you have chest pain
- you have diabetes and you’re vomiting
- someone has collapsed
Speak to your GP practice if:
- your stomach ache gets much worse quickly
- stomach pain or bloating will not go away or keeps coming back
- you have repeated bouts of stomach cramps and diarrhoea
- you have stomach pain and problems with swallowing food
- you’re losing weight without trying to
- you suddenly pee more often or less often
- peeing is suddenly painful
- you bleed from your bottom or vagina, or have abnormal discharge from your vagina
- you have diarrhoea that does not go away after a few days
If your GP practice is closed, phone 111.
Causes
What causes stomach ache and abdominal pain?
Stomach ache and abdominal pain can have different causes. You may have stomach ache only, or other symptoms like diarrhoea too.
Sudden stomach cramps with diarrhoea
Stomach cramps with diarrhoea may be caused by a tummy bug (gastroenteritis). Tummy bugs usually get better after a few days and don’t need treatment.
Sudden severe abdominal pain
Sudden severe pain in a particular area of your tummy may be a sign of a serious problem. It could get worse without treatment.
Sudden severe abdominal pain can be caused by:
- appendicitis – painful swelling of the appendix
- a bleeding or perforated stomach ulcer
- acute cholecystitis – inflammation of the gallbladder, which may need to be removed
- kidney stones – small stones that develop in one or both of your kidneys
- diverticulitis – inflammation of the small pouches in the bowel
- ectopic pregnancy – when a fertilised egg develops outside the womb, this can be very serious if it isn’t treated
- acute pancreatitis – a serious condition where the pancreas becomes inflamed over a short period of time
If your GP thinks you have one of these conditions, they’ll ask you to go to hospital immediately.
Sudden and severe pain in your abdomen may also be caused by a pulled muscle in your abdomen or an injury.
If there’s any possibility that you could be pregnant, you should take a pregnancy test.
Treatment
A pharmacist is a good first stop for a stomach ache. You can talk to them about:
- what might be causing your stomach ache
- treatments that could help
- medicines to ease symptoms of constipation and indigestion
Complications
If you or your child keep having stomach pain, or it comes back again and again, do talk to a doctor. Most of the time the cause is not serious and it can be managed.
Possible causes in adults include:
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), where the pain often eases after you go to the toilet
- inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), for example Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and endometriosis
- a urinary tract infection (UTI) that keeps returning, which usually also causes a burning feeling when you pass urine
- constipation
- period pain, which is painful muscle cramps in women linked to the menstrual cycle
- stomach ulcer
- heartburn and acid reflux
- gastritis, which is inflammation of the stomach lining
Possible causes in children include:
- constipation
- a UTI that keeps returning
- heartburn
- acid reflux
- abdominal migraines, where stomach pain keeps coming back and no clear reason can be found