What is abdominal pain?

Abdominal pain, often known as stomach, belly or tummy ache, usually refers to cramps or a dull ache in the belly (abdomen).

It's usually short-lived and caused by a minor upset or stomach bug.

Stomach cramps are often due to bloating and trapped wind. This is an extremely common problem that can be embarrassing but is easily dealt with; your pharmacist can recommend an over the counter product to relieve the wind.

If your stomach cramps have started recently and you also have diarrhoea, the cause is probably gastroenteritis. This means you have a viral or bacterial infection of the stomach and bowel which your immune system will usually fight off after a few days.

Severe stomach cramps and diarrhoea that make you feel very ill (for example, causing chills or a fever) could be due to a more serious infection, such as food poisoning. This will usually get better on its own without treatment.

You should consider seeing your doctor when the pain is:

• severe and getting worse
• associated with weight loss
• associated with bleeding from the bowel
• associated with difficulty swallowing
• associated with persistent vomiting.

If you have sudden, agonising pain in a particular area of your belly, seek medical help immediately. It may be a sign of a serious illness, such as appendicitis, that will rapidly get worse without treatment.

If you feel pain higher up, in the area above your ribs, read more in the chest pain section.

Some medicines, such as aspirin and anti-inflammatory and anti-dementia drugs can cause stomach pain as a side effect. If you suspect this is the case, then consult a pharmacist or your doctor to review your medicines.

Abdominal pain in children

Abdominal (stomach) pain can be caused by a number of things and can range from mild discomfort to strong pain. Common causes of abdominal pain in children include:

• gastroenteritis
• an injury or pulled muscle caused by a direct blow or sporting injury
• menstrual (period) pain in girls who have started their periods
• nerves, excitement or worry
• trapped wind
• lower urinary tract problems, such as cystitis (as suggested by lower abdominal pain).

Most abdominal pain is mild and will clear up without treatment in a few days. Severe or persistent pain, especially when your child has other symptoms such as a fever, requires close monitoring and may need further medical assessment.