When to seek medical adviceSeek emergency medical care if: Show
Find possible causes of abdominal pain based on specific factors. Check one or more factors on this page that apply to your symptom.
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. Mayo Clinic FooterWhen it comes to stomach pain, finding the cause of your tummy trouble can be harder than solving an advanced Sudoku. Use this symptom decoder to help decipher what's up with your gut. 1. Acid RefluxWhat it is: Acid flowing backward from the stomach up into the throat. What it feels like: Pain or burning below your breastbone that's usually worse after you eat or when you lie down, said Dr. David Peura, former chairman of the National Heartburn Alliance. Fix it: If you feel the burn only a few times a year, treat it with antacids like Tums. If you get it a couple of times a week, you could have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A doctor can determine whether a medication to reduce acid production will help you. 2. AppendicitisWhat it is: Inflammation of the appendix, a narrow fingerlike pouch attached to the colon. Over 5% of people will have trouble with it sometime in their lives. What it feels like: A dull discomfort around your belly button that moves to your lower right abdomen. It becomes extremely painful as time passes — and walking makes the pain worse. Fix it: Go to the emergency room immediately! You need surgery to remove your appendix. If you wait too long, it can rupture and be life threatening. 3. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)What it is: A malfunction of the nerves that control the intestines, studies suggest that about 12% of the population has IBS. What it feels like: Nausea, bloating, diarrhea or constipation and cramps in the lower part of your abdomen. These symptoms tend to lessen when you move your bowels, said Dr. Lauren Gerson, a former assistant professor of medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine. Fix it: Visit the doctor, who will probably prescribe an antispasmodic drug to regulate your impulse to go and relieve the general discomfort as well. 4. GallstonesWhat they are: Pea- to golf ball-size nuggets in the gallbladder, a sac connected to the liver and small intestine. Made of hardened cholesterol and bile (a fluid that helps digest fat), they're caused by a high-fat diet or a gallbladder that doesn't empty properly. Gallstones are very common and women are more likely to experience them than men. What they feel like: A sharp pain in your upper middle abdomen that moves to your right side, under your rib cage. The pain can worsen after eating. Fix it: If the pain doesn't go away in a few hours or you're running a fever or vomiting, go to the doctor. She can diagnose gallstones via CT scan or ultrasound. You may need surgery to remove the gallbladder. 5. Stomach UlcerWhat it is: A sore on the stomach lining. What it feels like: Burning pain in your stomach that comes and goes but feels worse when you're hungry. Fix it: If you're taking nonsteroidal drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen, stop immediately, Peura said —these medications eat away at the stomach lining. See your doctor; you may need antibiotics to kill ulcer-causing bacteria, or even surgery. 6. Lactose IntoleranceWhat it is: Discomfort after consuming milk products due to a deficit in the enzyme that digests lactose, the sugar found in dairy products. What if feels like: Nausea, cramps, bloating, gas and/or diarrhea 30 minutes to two hours after eating or drinking foods containing lactose. Fix it: Drink less milk, or have it with other foods to slow the digestion process. Try experimenting with an assortment of dairy products. Hard cheeses such as Swiss or cheddar have small amounts of lactose and generally don't cause symptoms. Important note for the lactose intolerant: because dairy products are some of the most common sources of calcium, make sure you're getting enough of that essential mineral elsewhere in your diet. 7. Crohn's DiseaseWhat it is: The most common of a group of diseases called inflammatory bowel disease. Crohn's usually affects the end of the small intestine and the colon. What it feels like: Persistent abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss and sometimes fever. You might find blood in your stools. Fix it: Crohn's is most common in people under age 30. Though treatable, there is no cure. Treatments include anti-inflammatory medicines and steroids, which you might have to take for a few years or for a lifetime. 8. ColitisWhat it is: A common type of inflammatory bowel disease that affects only the colon and rectum. A young person's disease, most cases are diagnosed by age 30. What it feels like: Belly pain or cramps, bloody diarrhea, an urgent need to have a bowel movement, weight loss, nausea and sometimes vomiting. Fix it: If mild, treat the symptoms with over-the-counter medications. In severe cases, you might have to take anti-inflammatory medicines or steroids. 9. Celiac DiseaseWhat it is: A digestive disease that damages the small intestine due to an intolerance to gluten, the protein found in wheat, rye and barley. Often misdiagnosed as IBS, celiac disease is now considered one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders. What it feels like: Cramping, bloating and diarrhea. More serious symptoms include anemia, osteoporosis and even infertility. Fix it: Avoid that pizza — the remedy for celiac disease is a gluten-free diet. Fortunately, there are plenty of great gluten-free products available these days. 10. Thyroid DiseaseWhat it is: A deficit or an overabundance of the hormones secreted by the thyroid gland. Too much can kick your metabolism into high gear; too little can make it sluggish. What it feels like: A hyperactive thyroid can cause diarrhea; a sluggish thyroid can cause constipation. Other symptoms vary widely for both hyper- and hypothyroidism, but can include weight loss or weight gain, a racing heartbeat or low energy, nervousness or depression, hair loss and more. Fix it: Your doctor will probably prescribe a hormonal drug to regulate your thyroid. Occasionally surgery is necessary in severe cases. -- This article first appeared on Women's Health What causes upper abdominal pain and nausea?Causes can include overeating, intestinal infections, stress and anxiety, and chronic gastrointestinal disorders. Stomach pain and nausea are usually short-lived and get better on their own. However, people with persistent symptoms should see a doctor for an evaluation.
What would make your stomach hurt above your belly button?Pain in this area can be caused by eating too much. It can be caused by a food or a drug that upsets the stomach. It can also be caused by more serious problems like stomach ulcers or a gallbladder attack. Reflux disease (GERD) causes a burning pain that goes into the chest.
How do I know if my upper stomach pain is serious?You should seek emergency medical attention if you have any of the following:. severe pain or pressure.. fever.. nausea or vomiting that won't go away.. unexpected weight loss.. yellowing of the skin (jaundice). abdominal sweating.. severe tenderness when you touch your abdomen.. bloody stools.. Why does the top of my stomach in the middle hurt?Upper abdominal pain can have a wide range of causes, from indigestion and heartburn to gallstones or a liver abscess. Much of the time, the pain is temporary and resolves on its own. Sometimes, however, upper abdominal pain is caused by something that requires immediate medical attention, like a heart attack.
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