Health: What’s that tummy pain?
Make a note of where stomach ache strikes and how it feels to root out the problem, says Dr Christian
If you get struck down by tummy I pain (the biggest single reason people visit hospital), take into account where the pain is, if it’s stabbing or a dull ache, whether it’s constant and what makes it better/worse. the most common causes are food or wind-related issues, but a localised pain that’s quite sudden and getting worse should always be checked out. And don’t underestimate how bad trapped wind can be! Lots of people end up rolling about on the floor in A&e with it. Foods that tend to bring on excess gas are cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, beans and onions – but it strikes fairly randomly. trapped wind aside, here’s my guide to the most common reasons for a troublesome tummy…
SPOT APPENDICITIS FAST!Intense pain that starts around your tummy button then moves towards your right hip is a classic sign of appendicitis. You might feel nauseous, not very hungry and a bit feverish. When I had it, I wasn’t able to lie on my right side because it was so painful. It tends to get worse when you move or cough, and any sharp movement or compression of your tummy will hurt in that area. Go straight to your Gp or the hospital.DON’T MISS A BLADDER INFECTIONDiscomfort below your tummy button tends to be pelvic pain, which can have several causes, so you should see your doctor. the most common reason would be a urinary tract infection, which is accompanied by a burning sensation when you pee, sudden urges to pee, and feeling as though youcan’t fully empty your bladder. the pain could also be an infection following an sti. that would probably be accompanied by a bit of spotting between periods, pain during sex or unusual discharge. If you only suffer with the pain when you’re on your period, it could be endometriosis, so go and see your Gp. If you suffer with a jabbing side-pain, it could signal a kidney infection. picture a pregnant woman, standing at the bus stop with her hands on her back – exactly where her fingers are is where the pain will strike. It can come on suddenly and you’ll feel grotty, almost certainly feverish, and you may have blood in your urine. If you give the area quite a firm prod, it will really hurt. It’s serious, so go to hospital. Also bear in mind that a stabbing pain on one side could be ovulating pain – it usually starts 14 days before your period.
SUSS OUT PAINFUL SPASMSsharp pain in the upper right part of the belly, under the ribs, is likely to be gallstones, and the most likely candidates for this will meet the five Fs: Fair, Fat, Female, Fertile and Forty. I know it sounds awful, and of course there are always exceptions, but that’s the classic case. the pain can radiate out towards your back or shoulder and it’s very unpleasant. It’s a colic-y pain, so it will feel like muscular tubes going into spasm and squeezing down on a hard little stone. It’s often associated with nausea and will feel worse after eating fatty foods. that’s because bile is involved in digesting high-fat foods and this comes from your gall bladder, where the gall stones live, so it will trigger an attack. try relaxing in a hot bath or use a hot water bottle. Go to your Gp or, if you’re in agony, the hospital.
BEAT THE BURNING FEELING
A burning sensation under your ribs is probably acid reflux, but it could be a peptic ulcer. If you’re stressed, a smoker, or drinking a bit too much, it’s most likely acid erosion and your GP will probably suggest you take antacids. Eating too much fatty food can make acidic pain worse – you might have a sour taste in your mouth and be a bit belchy. The other clue is waking up with a tickly cough – that’s acid irritating your throat. If the pain is really bad, it may be an ulcer. If you take a lot of aspirin or ibuprofen, stop taking them because they disturb your natural defences against digestive juices. Go to your doctor ASAP if the pain is really bad.
SEE IF BLOATING IS FOOD-RELATED
If pain has been grumbling on for a while, with bloating and cramping, it’s most likely to be IBS. Trapped wind goes away, but IBS plagues you and will have certain triggers: mostly food or stress. This type of pain could also be the sign of a lactose or gluten intolerance, but don’t cut out foods – instead keep a diary and see what makes you feel worse, then take that to your GP. If it’s severe, it could be an inflammatory bowel disease like Crohn’s or colitis. That often comes with bloody poos, changes in bowel habits and pain in the lower left corner of your tummy. Ongoing bloating and pain needs to be investigated because it’s also a symptom of ovarian cancer.