Most stomach aches are caused by something minor, such as trapped wind, indigestion, constipation or a stomach bug, and settle within a day or two. A small number are caused by something that needs treatment quickly. This guide covers the common causes first, then 32 conditions that can cause stomach pain, grouped by the part of the body involved, and the signs that mean you should not wait.
When stomach pain is an emergency
Call 10177, or 112 from a cellphone, or go to the nearest emergency unit if:
- the pain came on suddenly or is severe
- your tummy is very tender when you touch it
- you are vomiting blood, or your vomit looks like ground coffee
- your stool is bloody, black or tar-like
- you cannot pass urine, stool or wind
- you have chest pain or are struggling to breathe
- you have diabetes and are vomiting
- someone has collapsed
The most common causes of a stomach ache
| What it feels like | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Bloated, passing a lot of wind | Trapped wind |
| Full and bloated after eating, heartburn, feeling sick | Indigestion |
| Unable to pass a stool, or passing hard stools | Constipation |
| Watery diarrhoea, feeling sick, vomiting | A stomach bug or food poisoning |
These usually improve on their own with rest, fluids and simple remedies from a pharmacy.
32 reasons your stomach may hurt
Stomach and bowel
| Condition | Typical clues |
|---|---|
| 1. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) | Cramps, bloating, and diarrhoea or constipation that come and go, often eased by passing a stool |
| 2. Lactose intolerance | Bloating, wind and diarrhoea after milk or dairy |
| 3. Acid reflux (GORD) | Burning behind the breastbone and a sour taste, worse after meals or lying down |
| 4. Wind and bloating | A tight, swollen tummy that eases after passing wind |
| 5. Food poisoning | Vomiting, diarrhoea and cramps within hours or days of a suspect meal |
| 6. Indigestion | Fullness, discomfort or burning in the upper tummy after eating |
| 7. Gastritis | Gnawing upper tummy pain, nausea, feeling full quickly |
| 8. Stomach ulcer | Burning or gnawing pain in the upper tummy, often related to meals |
| 9. Functional dyspepsia | Ongoing indigestion with normal test results |
| 10. Gastroenteritis | Diarrhoea, vomiting, cramps and sometimes fever |
| 11. Coeliac disease | Bloating, diarrhoea and tiredness after foods containing gluten |
| 12. Crohn’s disease | Ongoing tummy pain, diarrhoea, weight loss and tiredness |
| 13. Gastroparesis | Feeling full very quickly, nausea and vomiting, often in people with diabetes |
Related reading: what to eat and avoid to help prevent heartburn and foods to avoid with a stomach ulcer.
Appendix, gallbladder, liver and pancreas
| Condition | Typical clues |
|---|---|
| 14. Appendicitis | Pain that starts around the navel and moves to the lower right, worse on movement, with fever or nausea |
| 15. Gallstones | Severe pain in the upper right tummy, often after a fatty meal, that can spread to the back or shoulder |
| 16. Inflamed gallbladder (cholecystitis) | Constant upper right pain with fever and nausea |
| 17. Infected bile duct (cholangitis) | Upper right pain with fever, shivering and yellowing of the skin or eyes |
| 18. Pancreatitis | Severe pain in the upper tummy that goes through to the back, with vomiting |
| 19. Hepatitis | Discomfort in the upper right tummy, tiredness, dark urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes |
These generally need same-day medical attention.
Kidneys and bladder
| Condition | Typical clues |
|---|---|
| 20. Kidney stones | Severe pain in the side or back that comes in waves and may spread to the groin |
| 21. Bladder or kidney infection | Burning when you urinate, needing to go often, lower tummy or back pain, sometimes fever |
See our article on what causes kidney pain.
Heart
| Condition | Typical clues |
|---|---|
| 22. Heart attack | Pressure or pain in the chest or upper tummy that may spread to the arm, jaw or back, with sweating, nausea or breathlessness. This is an emergency. |
Womb and ovaries
| Condition | Typical clues |
|---|---|
| 23. Endometriosis | Severe period pain, pelvic pain, pain during sex |
| 24. Fibroids | Heavy or painful periods, pressure or fullness in the lower tummy |
| 25. Ovarian cysts | A dull ache or sharp pain low on one side, bloating |
| 26. Ovulation pain | A one-sided twinge mid-cycle that lasts hours to a day or two |
| 27. Ectopic pregnancy | Low one-sided pain with vaginal bleeding or a missed period, sometimes pain in the tip of the shoulder. This is an emergency. |
| 28. Pelvic inflammatory disease | Lower tummy pain, unusual discharge, fever, pain during sex |
| 29. Ovarian torsion | Sudden, severe one-sided pelvic pain with nausea or vomiting. This is an emergency. |
| 30. Ovarian cancer | Persistent bloating, feeling full quickly, pelvic or tummy pain, needing to urinate more often |
| 31. Ovarian hyperstimulation | Bloating and tummy pain during or after fertility treatment |
| 32. Infection of the womb lining (endometritis) | Lower tummy pain, fever and unusual discharge, usually after childbirth or a procedure |
Related reading: ovarian cysts and back pain and cramps during pregnancy.
Why does my stomach hurt for no reason?
Often there is a reason, but it is not obvious. Wind, constipation, a mild stomach bug, period pain, stress and eating too quickly are all common. Pain that keeps returning without a clear cause is frequently IBS or indigestion, but it should still be checked, because the pattern of your symptoms is what helps a doctor tell harmless causes from serious ones.
What you can do at home
- Sip water or a rehydration drink, especially if you have diarrhoea or are vomiting.
- Rest, and eat small, plain meals when you feel able to.
- Ask your pharmacist about remedies for wind, indigestion or constipation.
- Avoid alcohol and fatty or spicy food until you are better.
- Avoid anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen and aspirin if you have upper tummy pain, because they can irritate the stomach.
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment soon if your stomach pain:
- is getting worse, does not go away, or keeps coming back
- comes with bloating that will not settle
- comes with difficulty swallowing
- comes with weight loss you cannot explain
- comes with pain or burning when you urinate, or needing to go more or less than usual
- comes with bleeding from your bottom or an unusual vaginal discharge
- comes with diarrhoea that has lasted more than a few days
- happens while you are pregnant
This article is for general information and does not replace advice from your doctor.
Medically reviewed by the ASAIPA clinical team.
