abdominal pain

What causes abdominal pain?

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

Related Video 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89-LE7af2YM

FACT CHECK

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318286.php

https://www.healthline.com/symptom/abdominal-pain

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003120.htm

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