Reasons for Stomach Pain

Stomach pain is a common health concern that affects many individuals from time to time. It can range from mild discomfort in the form of stomach aches to severe abdominal pain. The main reasons for stomach pain could be simple indigestion or more serious conditions like infection or ulcers. Hence, you should always first consult with your doctor or research other resources to identify the main cause behind your stomach-related problems. Scroll down to learn about some of the most common causes of stomach pain in detail. 

Why Do You Have Abdominal Pain?

There may be several reasons for stomach cramps, which often relate to digestion, infection, diseases, or injuries. The pain may come from the muscles or skin in your abdominal wall or from another organ inside the body. 

A doctor or healthcare professional may ask you detailed questions about your pain to specifically determine the causes. Most causes are temporary and may not even be serious, which include the following: 

• Indigestion,
• Gas and gas pain,
• Constipation,
• Diarrhea,
• Food allergies and intolerances,
• Food poisoning,
• Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu),
• Peptic ulcer disease,
• Chronic acid reflux (GERD). 

The causes of lower abdominal pain in women can be many, but the most common ones include:

• Menstrual cramps,
• Ovulation pain,
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID),
• Urinary tract infection (UTI),

Left side stomach pain reasons for female patients may include issues such as: 

• Ovarian cysts,
• Ectopic pregnancy,
• Diverticulitis.

Abdominal pain after eating causes may be linked to acid reflux, food intolerances, and even gallbladder-related problems in a few cases. 

Serious Causes of Abdominal Pain

In a few cases, abdominal pain often indicates a serious medical condition that may need immediate medical assistance. Pain in different regions of the stomach may indicate the involvement of various organs. For example:

• Right Upper Quadrant

The upper right abdomen includes your bile ducts, liver, and gallbladder. Moreover, the right kidney is at the back of this side of the abdomen. The first sections of your intestines also pass through this region. The causes of upper abdominal pain are likely related to liver or gallbladder diseases, such as:

• Hepatitis (metabolic, viral, alcoholic, toxic, or autoimmune),
• Gallstones,
• Cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation),
• Bile duct cancer, stones and strictures,
• Gallbladder cancer,
• Liver cancer.

Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen may also be related to your duodenum or right kidney. So, the reasons for pain in the right side of the stomach include the following: 

• Kidney infection,
• Kidney stone,
• Duodenal ulcer,
• Large bowel obstruction,
• Left Upper Quadrant.

Your upper left abdomen includes the stomach, spleen, and pancreas. The left kidney is in the back of the abdominal cavity, with the heart and left lung above it. Upper left abdominal pain indicates:

• Pancreatitis (inflamed pancreas),
• Pancreatic cancer,
• Splenomegaly (enlarged spleen),
• Gastritis,
• Stomach ulcer,
• Bile reflux,
• Stomach cancer,
• Kidney infection,
• Kidney stone,

Sometimes, the pain starts from your chest, which could be due to: 

• Heartburn,
• Angina,
• Non cardiac chest pain,
• Heart attack,
• Pericarditis,
• Pneumonia,
• Pleurisy,
• Pulmonary embolism.

Lower Abdomen

You can find both the small and large intestines inside your lower abdomen. Lower abdominal pain may be the result of various gastrointestinal diseases. Sometimes, the pain may also be related to the ureters, ovaries, or uterus in women. Some of the major causes of lower abdominal pain include:

• Irritable bowel syndrome,
• Functional dyspepsia,
• Inflammatory bowel disease, 
• Large or small bowel obstruction,
• Small intestine cancer,
• Colon cancer,
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm,
• Peritonitis,
• Mesenteric lymphadenitis,
• Intestinal (mesenteric) ischemic syndrome,
• Hernia,
• Kidney stones.

Sometimes, the pain often begins from the pelvic organs, which could be due to:

• Endometriosis,
• Ovarian cysts,
• Pelvic inflammatory disease,
• Ectopic pregnancy,
• Ovarian cancer,
• Uterine cancer.

Left Lower Quadrant

The cause of pain on the left side of the stomach can be due to diverticulitis, which occurs when small pouches, known as diverticula, form in the colon and become inflamed or infected. These pouches usually develop in the lower left part of the colon. They cause sharp pain, fever, and changes in bowel habits.

Right Lower Quadrant

If you feel pain in the lower right abdomen, it could be due to issues with your appendix. The most common cause is appendicitis, which is inflammation of the appendix and can cause severe pain. In rare cases, this pain might indicate appendix cancer. Symptoms of appendicitis include sudden pain that starts around the belly button and moves to the right side, nausea, and loss of appetite. 

When to Seek Medical Help

A few causes of abdominal pain can be serious. That is why you must seek immediate medical help if you experience the following: 

• Severe pain that comes on suddenly,
• Pain accompanied by fever and vomiting,
• Pain with bloody stools or vomit,
• Pain with severe tenderness when touching the abdomen,
• Pain lasting more than a few days,
• Pain with difficulty breathing

How to Prevent and Manage Stomach Pain?

You can adopt some lifestyle modifications to prevent or manage certain cases of stomach pain. For example, abdominal pain after eating can be managed by eating smaller, more frequent meals. 

To avoid digestive issues, maintain a healthy diet, eat regular meals, and avoid trigger foods. Stress management techniques can also reduce stress-related stomach problems. So, try practicing meditation or regular exercise to avoid these health issues. 

You can also maintain a diary regarding your food intake and other symptoms to help identify patterns and triggers. This information can be valuable when discussing symptoms with your doctor and developing management strategies.

Several home remedies also provide relief from minor causes of upper abdominal discomfort. These include: 

• Drinking clear fluids to remain hydrated,
• Using a heating pad on the abdomen,
• Taking over-the-counter antacids for indigestion,
• Following the BRAT(Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast) diet when having an upset stomach,
• Practising gentle stretching or yoga to relieve gas and bloating. 

Get Rid of Abdominal Pain with Professional Help!

Stomach pain can range from mild inconvenience to serious medical conditions requiring immediate attention. That is why you must understand the various reasons for stomach pain and recognise warning signs to make informed decisions about when to seek medical care. 

Many home remedies and lifestyle changes can help you manage certain cases. However, you are always advised to seek a consultation for persistent or severe pain. You can visit Apollo Spectra for regular communication with healthcare providers who pay attention to your medical requirements. Contact our experts to learn more about maintaining your digestive health, and book a consultation today.