Stomach ache
Most stomach aches are not anything serious and will go away after a few days.
Common causes of stomach ache
These are some common types of stomach ache and what may be causing them. But see a GP if you're unsure and worried.
| Type of stomach ache | Possible condition |
|---|---|
|
Feeling bloated, farting a lot |
|
|
Feeling full and bloated after eating, heartburn, feeling sick |
|
|
Cannot poo |
|
|
Watery poo, feeling sick, vomiting |
Stomach bug or food poisoning |
A pharmacist can help with stomach ache
Speak to a pharmacist about:
- what might be causing your stomach ache
- treatments that might help
- medicines for constipation and indigestion
Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:
- a stomach ache gets much worse quickly
- stomach pain or bloating will not go away or keeps coming back
- you have stomach pain and problems with swallowing food
- you're losing weight without trying to
- you suddenly pee more often or less often
- peeing is suddenly painful
- you bleed from your bottom or vagina, or have abnormal discharge from your vagina
- you have diarrhoea that does not go away after a few days
Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if:
- a stomach ache came on very suddenly or is severe
- it hurts when you touch your stomach
- you're vomiting blood or your vomit looks like ground coffee
- your poo is bloody or black and sticky and extremely smelly
- you cannot pee
- you cannot poo or fart
- you cannot breathe
- you have chest pain
- you have diabetes and you're vomiting
- someone has collapsed
What we mean by severe pain
- Severe pain:
-
- always there and so bad it's hard to think or talk
- you cannot sleep
- it's very hard to move, get out of bed, go to the bathroom, wash or dress
- Moderate pain:
-
- always there
- makes it hard to concentrate or sleep
- you can manage to get up, wash or dress
- Mild pain:
-
- comes and goes
- is annoying but does not stop you doing daily activities
Other causes of stomach ache
Do not self-diagnose. See a GP if you're worried.
| Type of stomach ache | Possible condition |
|---|---|
|
Pain and cramps when you have your period |
|
|
Sudden pain in the lower right-hand side |
|
|
Ongoing cramps, bloating, diarrhoea, constipation |
|
|
Bad ongoing pain that can go down to your groin, nausea, pain when peeing |
|
|
Severe pain that lasts for hours in the centre of your tummy or just under the ribs on the right-hand side |
Page last reviewed: 26 May 2023
Next review due: 26 May 2026