Stomach ache and abdominal pain

A stomach ache is a term often used to refer to cramps or a dull ache

in the tummy (abdomen). It's usually short-lived and is often not
serious.

Severe abdominal pain is a greater cause for concern. If it starts

suddenly and unexpectedly, it should be regarded as a medical
emergency, especially if the pain is concentrated in a particular area.
If you feel pain in the area around your ribs, read about chest pain for
information and advice.

Stomach cramps with bloating

Stomach cramps with bloating are often caused by trapped wind. This
is a very common problem that can be embarrassing but is easily dealt
with.
Your pharmacist will be able to recommend a product such as
buscopan or mebeverine, which can be bought over the counter to
treat the problem.

Sudden stomach cramps with diarrhoea

If your stomach cramps have started recently and you also
have diarrhoea, the cause may be a tummy bug (gastroenteritis). This
means you have a viral or bacterial infection of the stomach and bowel,
which should get better without treatment after a few days.
Gastroenteritis may be caused by coming into close contact with
someone who's infected, or by eating contaminated food (food
poisoning).

If you have repeated bouts of stomach cramps and diarrhoea, you may
have a long-term condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Sudden severe abdominal pain
If you have sudden agonising pain in a particular area of your
abdomen. It may be a sign of a serious problem that could rapidly get
worse without treatment.
Serious causes of sudden severe abdominal pain include:

 appendicitis – the swelling of the appendix (a finger-like pouch

connected to the large intestine), which causes agonising pain in
the lower right-hand side of your abdomen, and means your
appendix will need to be removed
 a bleeding or perforated stomach ulcer – a bleeding, open sore in
the lining of your stomach or duodenum (the first part of the small
intestine)
 acute cholecystitis – inflammation of the gallbladder, which is
often caused by gallstones, in many cases, your gallbladder will
need to be removed
 kidney stones – small stones may be passed out in your urine,
but larger stones may block the kidney tubes, and you'll need to
go to hospital to have them broken up
 diverticulitis – inflammation of the small pouches in the bowel that
sometimes requires treatment with antibiotics in hospital
If your GP suspects you have one of these conditions, they may refer
you to hospital immediately.
Sudden and severe pain in your abdomen can also sometimes be
caused by an infection of the stomach and bowel (gastroenteritis). It
may also be caused by a pulled muscle in your abdomen or by an
injury.

Long-term or recurring abdominal pain

See your GP if you or your child have persistent or repeated abdominal
pain. The cause is often not serious and can be managed.

Possible causes in adults include:

 IBS – a common condition that causes bouts of stomach cramps,

bloating, diarrhoea or constipation, the pain is often relieved
when you go to the toilet
  inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – long-term conditions that
involve inflammation of the gut, including Crohn's
disease and ulcerative colitis
 a urinary tract infection (UTI) that keeps returning – in these
cases, you'll usually also experience a burning sensation when
you urinate
 constipation
 period pain – painful muscle cramps in women that are linked to
the menstrual cycle
 other stomach-related problems – such as a stomach
ulcer, heartburn and acid reflux or gastritis (inflammation of the
stomach lining)

Possible causes in children include:

 constipation
 a UTI that keeps returning
 heartburn and acid reflux
 abdominal migraines – recurrent episodes of abdominal pain with
no identifiable cause