What if my stomach always hurts

With so many organs and structures in the abdomen, it can be hard for a doctor to be absolutely sure about the cause of your problem. The doctor will ask you several questions and then examine you carefully. The doctor may perform no further tests. The cause of your pain may be quite clearly not serious. Another scenario may be that the doctor is unable to find a cause, but the pain gets better within hours or days. All the doctor can do is to be sure that the pain does not require surgery or admission to hospital.

If you do have tests, the doctor will explain the results to you. Some results may take a number of days to come back and these will be sent to your local doctor.

Most abdominal pain goes away without special treatment. Be guided by your doctor, but there are some things you can do to help ease the pain, including:. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:.

During fetal development, the diaphragm or abdominal wall may fail to properly fuse, allowing the abdominal organs to protrude. Children may feel stomach pain for a range of reasons and may need treatment. Adhesions may have no signs or symptoms, or they may cause pain by pulling on nerves.

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Frequent or recurring sharp stomach pain is often due to stress and worry, even in child care. But it can point to more serious medical problems like pancreatic diseases. Kingsley says to pay attention to when the pain occurs and what makes it better or worse and provide that information to your doctor.

In serious cases, the stomach pain gets worse or becomes constant. This may be an indication of a more severe condition, such as:. This diagram illustrates the types of abdominal conditions you may have based on the location of the pain. According to Dr. Kingsley at UPMC , you should call your primary care physician if mild pain lasts more than a couple of days, or if the severe stomach pain is accompanied by other symptoms.

Kingsley says. Bottom line: Trust your gut! Share this on: Updated Dec. Common Causes of Stomach Pain Harmless abdominal pain usually subsides or goes away within two hours. Gas : Formed in the stomach and intestines as your body breaks down food, this can cause general stomach pain and cramps. They should also include a note of when their stomach hurts.

Keeping a diary can help determine the foods causing an issue. People can then cut this food out of their diet. Overfilling the stomach on a regular basis is not good for health. Discomfort after eating may be a sign that a person is eating too much. People can find guidance on healthy portion sizes from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Gastritis causes the lining of the stomach to become inflamed. It can cause stomach pain, sickness, vomiting, and indigestion. Mild gastritis can be treated at home with medication and changes to diet. Cutting out acidic foods and eating smaller meals throughout the day can help.

IBD causes the gut to become inflamed. IBD can lead to a range of symptoms, with one being stomach pain. A stomach ulcer is a sore that develops on the stomach lining. It will cause a burning pain in the middle of the stomach. Stomach ulcers are often caused by an infection. They can also be the result of medications that include aspirin if it is frequently taken over a long period.

Treatment is with acid-suppressing medication, with or without antibiotics. IBS is a condition affecting the digestive system. As well as constipation and diarrhea, it can cause stomach cramps and bloating. Gallstones are hard pieces of material that form in the gallbladder. If they block a bile duct, they can cause sharp, sudden pain. Heartburn is known as gastroesophageal reflux GER in medical terms.

It can also be called acid reflux. GER is caused by acid coming up from the stomach into the food pipe. It feels like a burning sensation in the chest and throat.

It can also cause a burning feeling in the stomach. The thyroid gland produces hormones that tell the body how to work. An overactive thyroid can cause medical problems that may affect the bones, muscles, and heart. One symptom of an overactive thyroid is stomach pain and diarrhea. Testing for celiac disease should be done while on a diet which contains gluten. Many of the uncomfortable symptoms of post-meal stomach pain can be managed with OTC medications.

Shop for antacids. Shop for probiotics. Shop for laxatives. Food allergies can lead to a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis , which can cause you to stop breathing. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency. GERD can result in damage to the esophagus that causes difficulty swallowing.

Peptic ulcers can lead to internal bleeding and serious infections. Chronic constipation can lead to hemorrhoids and anal fissures, among other problems.

It can also increase your risk of colon cancer. There are a lot of things that could be causing your stomach to hurt after eating. But if your symptoms have persisted for several weeks, you may have a chronic condition and should consult your doctor as soon as possible. If you need help finding a primary care doctor, you can browse doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool. Stomachaches are a common occurrence that can be treated at home.

Here are seven home remedies for you to use to ease your stomach. These remedies…. Are you looking for a natural way to treat acid reflux? If you…. GERD gastroesophageal reflux disease is a chronic form of heartburn. Learn about symptoms and treatment.