What’s Causing My Stomach Pain?
Stomach pain can be a tricky symptom to deal with, because it can have dozens upon dozens of causes. Though tempting to rush to Dr. Google, we encourage you to examine your symptoms first, try to identify a root cause, and know when to seek help.
To this end, we’re going to help you explore stomach pain and answer a few common questions you might have: what is the main reason for stomach pain, what can I do to relieve pain in the stomach, and how do I know if my stomach pain is serious. Let’s get started and get you some answers.
What Is the Main Reason for Stomach Pain?
There’s no good answer to this question, really. The primary causes of stomach pain can vary widely. Here are some common culprits, though, that you could use to help rule out what’s causing your pain.
Intense Gas & Bloating
Location: Entire Lower Abdomen, Sometimes Localized & Moving
Perhaps the most common reason for general stomach pain is gas & bloating. For individuals with a low pain tolerance or very intense bloating, this can feel like acute pain.
IBS
Location: Lower Abdomen, Intestinal Area
Characterized by a combination of abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits, IBS can significantly impact life quality. Managing stress and dietary adjustments play a key role in alleviating symptoms.
Other conditions that might feel like IBS include:
Stomach viruses
Traveler’s diarrhea
Food poisoning
Persistent symptoms should be evaluated by a medical professional.
GERD or Ulcers
Location: Chest, Throat, Stomach (proper)
These conditions lead to a burning sensation in the chest or stomach, often after eating, caused by stomach acid. Ulcers may feel like burning pain below the ribs, while reflux will feel like burning near the heart up into the esophagus.
Gallstones
Location: Upper Abdomen, Right Side
Gallstones can cause severe pain in the upper right abdomen. The pain may worsen after eating fatty foods. While some cases are managed with medication, others might require surgical intervention.
Appendicitis
Location: Lower Abdomen, Right Side
Recognizing appendicitis is crucial since it requires immediate surgical removal of the appendix*. Symptoms include sharp, nauseating pain in the lower right abdomen, fever, and maybe even vomiting due to the intensity of pain.
*If the appendix bursts, you’ll feel a primary relief and may think you’re fine. However, this can lead to sepsis and should be treated by the ER immediately.
What Can I Do to Relieve Pain in the Stomach?
Relief methods depend on the underlying cause of your pain and the intensity of your pain.
If you are in so much pain that you are vomiting, STOP READING and go to the ER immediately. Some conditions that may be causing your pain are appendicitis, gallbladder issues, pancreatic issues, intestinal blockages, or ovarian cyst/torsion, though rare. Your doctor will perform scans or ultrasounds to determine the underlying cause and develop a treatment plan.
If you are not in that kind of pain, you can try a few of these things:
Try taking OTC gas medication (like simethicone) and lying on your stomach to rule out bloating and gas.
Try taking antacids if the pain you feel is a burning sensation. If the pain is relieved by antacids, schedule an appointment to discuss GERD, hernia, or ulcers with your doctor.
If your stomach pain is combined with diarrhea, IBS, a stomach bug, or a bad meal might be to blame. See if your condition resolves within 24 hours, but monitor closely for fever and drink plenty of fluids with electrolytes. If you develop a fever and/or feel extremely fatigued, take a trip to the ER.
Remember that pain is our body’s way of telling us something is wrong. Try not to take OTC pain medications that will mask your symptoms. If your pain feels unlike any pain you’ve felt before, sit with it for a little while and see what could be wrong.
If your pain worsens suddenly, without apparent reason, and you are unable to focus on anything other than the pain (or if you begin vomiting due to the pain), go to the ER immediately and do not attempt to try anything else.
How Do I Know If My Stomach Pain Is Serious?
A general rule of thumb for deciding whether you need to visit the ER or not: If you are in so much pain that you are vomiting, it’s definitely time to go to the ER. Additional signs you need to get to the ER are:
Blood in the stool
Inability to pass gas or stool
Extreme fatigue
Dehydration or inability to keep anything down
Suncoast Surgical Associates: Specializing in Abdominal Issues
Here at Suncoast Surgical Associates, we specialize in abdominal issues like appendicitis, gallbladder issues, GERD, and IBS. If you need medical attention immediately, be sure to visit the ER.
However, if your surgical needs are less immediate, reach out to us for a consultation; we’ll take care of you!