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Health: Stomach ache and abdominal pain

Posted on 12/07/2017 by

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A stomach ache, including stomach cramps or abdominal pain, doesn't usually last long and isn't usually caused by anything serious. 

Some common causes of a stomach ache include:

Speak to your pharmacist for advice about medications to help ease symptoms of these conditions.

If you have diarrhoea and vomiting, it will usually clear up by itself within a week.

Read about what to do if you have diarrhoea and vomiting.









When to get medical advice

See your GP or call NHS 111 if you're worried or need advice about your symptoms.

For example, if:

Call 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest hospital accident and emergency (A&E) if you:

  • have sudden, severe stomach pain
  • feel pain when you touch your stomach
  • are vomiting blood 
  • have bloody or black, sticky stools
  • aren't able to urinate
  • have collapsed or can't breathe
  • you're diabetic and vomiting

If you feel pain in the area around your ribs, read about chest pain for information and advice.

Causes of sudden, severe abdominal pain

Some of the possible causes of sudden, severe abdominal pain include:

  • appendicitis – swelling of the appendix that causes agonising pain in the lower right-hand side of your abdomen
  • a bleeding or perforated stomach ulcer – a bleeding, open sore in the lining of your stomach
  • acute cholecystitis – an inflamed gallbladder, often caused by gallstones
  • kidney stones – small stones may be passed out in your wee, but larger stones may block the kidney tubes
  • diverticulitis – a type of inflammation in the bowel
  • pulled muscle in your abdomen, or an injury

Causes of long-term or recurring abdominal pain

Some of the possible causes of long-term or recurring abdominal pain include:

Possible causes in children include:

Source: NHS Choices