Any number of things can cause a stomachache — overdoing it and eating too much, food poisoning, emotional upset or underlying disease.
Having mild stomach pain or nausea is never fun, but it is common and often will resolve within a few days.
“When you have an upset stomach, treat it with care,” said Tilak Joshi, MD, an internal medicine physician with Endeavor Health. “Drinking fluids and, when you feel like eating, starting with small amounts of easily digestible foods like bananas, rice or crackers will help.”
Most abdominal upset is temporary and will feel better in a day or two. But what if your pain doesn’t feel like the usual stomachache? There are some symptoms that should lead you to seek medical attention.
If you experience severe abdominal pain right after a traumatic injury, such as in a car accident, you should head to an emergency room. If you have sudden, severe abdominal pain, you should also seek emergency medical care.
Also, call your doctor if your pain is accompanied by symptoms such as:
- Fever
- Persistent vomiting
- Severe pain when you touch your abdomen
- Abdominal swelling
- Bloody stool
- Yellow tint to skin or eyes
- Weight loss
- Abdominal pain associated with shortness of breath or sweating
- Abdominal pain disturbing your sleep
“There are a lot of conditions that can cause abdominal pain, and your doctor can help figure out what’s going on and how to ease your symptoms,” Dr. Joshi said.
If you have mild abdominal pain or nausea that lasts longer than three days, call your doctor.
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