It's hard to find someone who hasn't had a stomach ache at least once in their life, isn't it? Sometimes we say "stomach ache," and other times we say "stomach ache." Most of the time it's nothing serious, but sometimes it can be a sign of a serious illness. So, today we're going to talk about stomach ache, its causes, and when we should be concerned about it and see a doctor.
What exactly is this "stomach ache"?
Simply put, abdominal pain is any type of pain or discomfort that occurs in the entire area below your ribs and above your buttocks (abdomen). Although we often talk about "stomach pain," this pain can actually come from many other organs.
Imagine, inside your stomach is:
- Stomach
- Liver
- Gallbladder
- Pancreas
- Small intestine
- Large intestine
These are all organs that make up our digestive system. Problems with any of these can cause stomach pain. Not only that, but sometimes the pain can also be caused by the muscles or skin outside the stomach. Other times, pain in the chest or back can feel like a stomach ache.
The most important thing is that stomach pain is something only you can describe. A doctor can't measure it. So what you say is important. Any doctor will take your stomach pain very seriously.
Can the way stomach aches feel change?
Yes, definitely. Stomach pain can be felt in different ways. That can give you some clues about the illness. For example:
- It can be felt strongly or faintly .
- The pain can be dull, aching, or sharp, like a knife stabbing pain .
- It may feel like burning or achy.
- It can feel like your stomach is turning over (crampy) or like you are being held tight (colicky).
- It can be constant or intermittent pain.
- It can be felt in one place in the stomach (localized) or throughout the stomach (generalized).
What are the common and less serious causes of stomach aches?
Most of the time, stomach aches are caused by non-serious causes that resolve on their own after a while. These can usually be digestive issues, infections, or even the menstrual cycle in women.
Digestive problems
If you experience stomach pain shortly after eating, it could be due to:
- Indigestion
- Gas and gas pain
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Food allergies and intolerances
- Food poisoning
Inflammation of organs
A temporary swelling caused by an infection or problem in our organs.
- Viral gastroenteritis - Inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by a viral infection - we also call this "stomach flu".
- Peptic ulcer disease ( stomach or small intestine ulcers )
- Chronic acid reflux (GERD)
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
Regarding women's menstrual cycle
If you are a woman, you may also experience pain from time to time due to these reasons:
- Menstrual cramps
- Ovulation pain
What are the possible serious causes?
Sometimes stomach pain is a sign of a serious condition that needs treatment. Doctors will diagnose the condition based on where the pain is located. They usually divide the abdomen into four areas: upper right, upper left, lower right, and lower left.
Let's look at the possible diseases depending on the location of the pain.
| Painful area | Organs and conditions that may be involved |
|---|---|
| Upper right side of the abdomen | This side contains the liver, gallbladder, and right kidney. Pain can be caused by:
|
| Upper left side of the abdomen | This side contains the stomach, pancreas, and spleen. Causes may include:
|
| Lower abdomen (generally) | This is where most of the small and large intestines are located. In women, the uterus and ovaries are also located. Reasons:
|
| Lower right side of the stomach | This pain should be taken seriously because the appendix is located on this side. This pain can often be a sign of appendicitis , a condition that requires emergency surgery. |
| Lower left side of the stomach | The main cause of pain in this area is a condition called diverticulitis in the large intestine, which is when small pouches form in the wall of the intestine and become infected. |
What is the doctor asking you?
When you go to see a doctor for a stomach ache, he or she will ask you a lot of questions. The reason is that the answers you give will help them get a better idea of the illness.
- Where exactly is the pain?
- What kind of pain do you feel? (Aching, burning, stabbing?)
- How long has it been?
- Does the pain come and go? Or is it constant?
- Is the pain getting worse?
- Does the pain increase or decrease when you do something (eating, walking)?
- What other symptoms are there? (Fever, vomiting, diarrhea, blood in the stool, etc.)
Based on your answers to these questions, the doctor will order tests (blood, urine, scans) if necessary to accurately diagnose the disease.
When should we definitely see a doctor?
You can find relief at home for a common stomach ache. However, if you have the following symptoms, you should definitely seek medical advice.
If your pain is unexplained, persistent, or very severe, see a doctor immediately. Especially if the pain is sudden and unbearable, go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Additionally, see a doctor if you have these symptoms along with your stomach pain:
- Persistent fever.
- Persistent vomiting.
- Blood in vomit, urine, or stool.
- If your stomach is swollen and it hurts to touch it.
- Yellowing of the eyes and skin (Jaundice).
- Difficulty breathing.
Take-Home Message
- Stomach aches are very common. Not all stomach aches need to be feared.
- However, pay attention to where the pain is, how it feels, and any other symptoms that come with it.
- If you believe you have a minor digestive problem, drink plenty of water, eat light foods (bananas, crackers), and use a hot water bottle.
- However, if the pain is severe, persistent, or accompanied by other serious symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or bleeding, never ignore it.
- If you have any doubts, the best thing to do is to see your doctor immediately.
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