Why Does My Stomach Hurt? Harvard Doctor Reveals Causes and Tips for GI Pain Relief
Plus learn the warning signs that could signal something more serious
Whether you’re dealing with a dull ache, sharp pain in your abdomen or something in between, you’re likely wondering “Why does my stomach hurt?” Common culprits for GI pain can range from simply eating something that didn’t agree with you to an underlying medical condition that needs attention.
Talking to your doctor will ultimately help you determine what’s causing your stomach pain. But in the meantime, we spoke to experts to unpack a few common reasons your stomach may hurt and get tips to treat them at home.
Why does my stomach hurt? 3 common causes of GI pain
Abdominal discomfort can feel different depending on the cause. Here’s how to tell what might be behind your stomach pain:
Woman's World Answers
Acid reflux
Acid reflux occurs when acid in the stomach passes up into the esophagus, often resulting in a stinging or burning sensation in the chest. But for some people, acid reflux can also present as pain that occurs in the upper part of your stomach, says Trisha Pasricha, MD, a gastroenterologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and instructor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.
Although it’s possible to experience acid reflux on an empty stomach, “It often comes on sometime after eating, maybe 15 to 20 minutes after eating,” says Dr. Pasricha. “In those scenarios, the pain is often brought on by classic reflux triggers such as spicy foods or foods with tomatoes in it, like spaghetti or pizza, anything with red sauce.”
How to treat it: Dr. Pasricha recommends taking an over-the-counter antacid such as Tums to resolve acid reflux symptoms. She also recommends talking to your doctor to find out if you need to adjust your diet to curb flare-ups.
Food intolerance
Food Intolerance simply means that there are certain foods or ingredients that your body struggles to digest, and consuming those foods can make you feel ill. This ill feeling often manifests as stomach pain, diarrhea and bloating. (This differs from food poisoning, which is caused by eating contaminated food and typically comes and goes quickly.)
Dr. Pasricha says food intolerance is very common, especially lactose intolerance (your body can’t break down a sugar found in dairy) and gluten intolerance (your body has trouble digesting a protein found in wheat).
How to treat it: If you consistently experience discomfort after meals, Dr. Pasricha suggests keeping a food diary. This can help you monitor which foods make your stomach hurt. Once you nail down potential triggers, Dr. Pasricha recommends speaking to a registered dietitian or doctor before eliminating huge food groups to make sure you prevent stomach pain without missing out on key nutrients.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Irritable bowel syndrome is a condition that causes stomach pain, gas pain, bloating, diarrhea and constipation. People with IBS may also notice that symptoms worsen when they’re stressed.
How to treat it: Dr. Pasricha says if you experience abdominal pain you suspect might be IBS, it’s best to visit your doctor who can confirm a diagnosis. If you have the condition, Dr. Pasricha recommends taking a fiber supplement such as psyllium husk to help with constipation. Following an IBS diet, which focuses on foods less likely to trigger stomach pain (known as low FODMAP foods), can also alleviate symptoms.
What else can help? Exercise, says Mark Pimentel, MD, a gastroenterologist at Cedars Sinai. “I know that that’s cliche, because exercise really helps everything, but exercise actually helps the movements of the gut. One of the problems with IBS is that the gut isn’t coordinated very well,” and exercise is something simple you can do at home to help.
When stomach pain is an emergency
Mild abdominal pain can often be treated with the home remedies our experts recommended above. But if you have severe stomach pain, blood in your stool or are vomiting blood, it’s important to call your doctor (or 911) right away.
Certain conditions such as appendicitis (which usually starts as pain in the middle of your abdomen) or a kidney stone blockage (which causes a sharp pain in your lower abdomen) may require surgery and lead to complications if not treated promptly.
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