Fact Checked
Overview of abdominal pain
- Abdominal pain, often identified as tummy, belly or stomach ache, generally refers to spasms or a dismal ache in the abdomen.
- It’s generally short-term and caused by a slight upset or stomach infection.
- Stomach spasms are often due to swelling and trapped wind. This is a very standard problem that can be uncomfortable but can be quickly dealt with; your pharmacist can suggest OTC medication to release the wind.
- If your stomach spasms have started recently and you also have diarrhoea, the cause is possibly gastroenteritis. This means you have a virus-related or microbial infection of the belly and bowel which your immune system will generally fight off after a couple days.
- Stomach spasms and diarrhoea that make you feel very sick (for instance, causing shudders or a fever) could be due to a more severe infection, like food poisoning.
You should contemplate seeing your GP when the pain is:
- Serious and getting poorer
- Related with loss of weight
- Associated with blood loss from the bowel
- Related with swallowing problems
- Associated with insistent vomiting.
If you have unexpected, excruciating pain in a specific area of your belly, seek medical assistance straight away. It might be a sign of a severe infection, such as appendicitis, that will quickly get poorer without treatment.
Some medications, such as anti-inflammatory drugs or aspirin can cause abdominal pain as a side effect. If you think this is the case, then refer to a pharmacist or your GP to review your medications.
Stomach pain In children
Abdominal (belly) pain can be caused by a few things and can range from slight uneasiness to strong discomfort. Common causes of stomach pain in kids include:
- A wound or stretched muscle caused by a direct force or sporting injury
- Menstrual discomfort in girls who have begun their periods
- Anxieties, anticipation or worry
- Wind that is stuck
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