Stomach Pain
By the AllHealth UK editorial teamLast reviewed Next review due Compiled from published NHS and NICE guidance. Not reviewed by a clinician.
Key facts
Stomach (abdominal) pain is very common and usually not serious. The location, type, and timing of the pain can help identify the cause — from simple indigestion to conditions needing medical attention.
Most often affects:Adults 20–40People with IBSThose under stressWomen (menstrual-related)
What commonly causes stomach pain
- Indigestion, gas, or trapped wind
- Food intolerance (lactose, gluten)
- Gastritis or stomach lining irritation
- Stress and anxiety — 'nervous stomach'
- Constipation
- Menstrual cramps
- Gastroenteritis (stomach bug)
- Appendicitis — sudden pain in the lower right-hand side
- Gallstones — severe pain lasting hours in the centre of the tummy or under the ribs on the right
- Kidney stones — bad ongoing pain that can spread to the groin, with nausea and pain when peeing
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
What helps at home
- Eat bland, easy-to-digest foods (toast, rice, bananas, plain chicken)
- Avoid spicy, fatty, acidic, or fried foods until pain settles
- A pharmacist can advise on what might be causing your stomach ache and what may help.
- Do not use a hot water bottle or take painkillers if the pain came on suddenly, is severe, or hurts when you press on your tummy — call 999 or go to A&E.
- Rest and avoid strenuous activity
- Try over-the-counter antacids if pain feels like burning
When to get help
These three levels are different. Getting the level right is the single most useful thing this page can do for you.
Non-urgent advice: see a GP if
- Stomach pain keeps coming back over several weeks
- The pain is clearly linked to eating certain foods
- You have lost weight without trying
- Your bowel habits have changed for more than 3 weeks
- Pain or bloating is much worse around your period
Urgent advice: ask for an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if
- You have sharp pain low down on the right side of your tummy
- You have a high temperature alongside the pain
- You have not been able to keep any food or fluid down for 12 hours
Immediate action required: call 999 or go to A&E if
- A stomach ache that came on very suddenly, or is severe, or hurts when you touch your stomach
- Vomiting blood or 'coffee ground' vomit
- Your poo is bloody, or black and sticky and extremely smelly
- You cannot pee, or you cannot poo or fart
- You have diabetes and you are vomiting
- Abdominal pain with fainting or collapse
- Suspected ectopic pregnancy — lower abdominal pain with vaginal bleeding
What to do next
Not sure whether stomach pain needs a doctor? These are your options, cheapest and fastest first.
Questions people ask about stomach pain
Reducing the chance of it coming back
- Eat regular meals — don't skip breakfast
- Chew food thoroughly and eat slowly
- Stay hydrated and eat enough fibre (30g/day recommended)
- Manage stress — the gut-brain connection is real
- Identify and avoid personal food triggers with a food diary
Conditions this can be part of
Listed alphabetically, not by likelihood — this page does not tell you which one you have.
- Appendicitis
- Food poisoning
- Gastritis
- IBS
Sources and further reading
This page was written from the following published guidance. All links checked 26 August 2026.
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