THE SYMPTOMS

You experience pain in your stomach area that doesn’t subside after a few hours.

THE CULPRITS

The most likely explanation is a simple case of trapped wind. But if the pain is sudden and severe, it might be due to appendicitis, gallstones, bleeding ulcers, kidney stones, diverticulitis (inflammation of bowel pouches), gastroenteritis or just a pulled muscle. Long-term or recurring pain can be a sign of irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining), urinary tract infections or simple constipation.

WHAT TO DO

If it feels like indigestion, you can treat it with antacids. ‘But if it’s crippling pain, or you