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Stomach pain, or abdominal pain, can range from bloating and indigestion to severe and sharp, stabbing pain.
There are many possible causes of waves of pain in your stomach. Common conditions that can cause stomach pain include:
- Appendicitis
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm (bulging and weakening of the major artery in the body)
- Bowel blockage or obstruction
- Cancer of the stomach, colon, pancreas, and other organs
- Celiac disease
- Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder) with or without gallstones
- Constipation
- Decreased blood supply to the intestines (ischemic bowel)
- Diverticulitis/diverticulosis
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids (leiomyomas)
- Food allergies or food intolerance (such as lactose intolerance)
- Food poisoning
- Gallstones
- Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), heartburn, or indigestion
- Hepatitis
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis)
- Intestinal obstruction
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Kidney stones
- Lactose intolerance
- Muscle strain
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Peptic ulcer disease
- Ruptured ovarian cyst
- Severe menstrual cramps
- Spleen problems
- Stomach flu
- Surgical site infections
- Pregnancy/pregnancy complications
- Ulcers
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) or urinary retention
What Are Symptoms of Stomach Pains?
Symptoms of waves of pain in your stomach depend on the cause.
Pain may be dull or sharp, intermittent or constant, mild or severe. Pain may be felt in any part of the abdomen, and can also radiate to other areas such as the back, flank, or shoulder.
Symptoms that may accompany waves of stomach pain may include:
- Nausea
- Feeling unwell (malaise)
- Abdominal distention/bloating
- Abdominal tenderness
- Sweating
- Feeling of fullness
- Gas (flatulence)
- Indigestion/heartburn
- Urinary problems
- Altered bowel habits
- Pelvic pain
If you experience any of the following symptoms when you have waves of stomach pain, see a doctor as these may be a sign of a more serious condition:
- Pain is severe and lasts more than an hour or comes and goes for more than 24 hours
- Pain starts suddenly
- Bloody bowel movements
- Black, tarry stool
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting (may include vomiting blood)
- Inability to eat or drink for several hours
- Fever greater than 102°f (39°c)
- Weight loss without trying
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling a lump in the abdomen
What Is the Treatment for Stomach Pain?
There is no single treatment for waves of stomach pain. Treatment varies widely and depends on the specific cause.
Most of the time, waves of stomach pain can be treated at home by:
- Drinking plenty of fluids so urine is a pale yellow or clear color
- Consuming clear liquids in frequent, small amounts
- If vomiting occurs, start with small sips of water or sucking on ice chips and if these are well tolerated, try:
- If fluids are tolerated, bland solid foods may be slowly added, such as the BRAT diet:
- Bananas
- Rice, white
- Applesauce
- Toast, plain or with only jelly or honey if desired
- Avoid:
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications may help relieve certain symptoms associated with waves of stomach pain. Talk to your doctor to determine which medication might be best for your situation.
- Simethicone (Gas-X, Mylanta) for gas and bloating
- Antacids or acid reducers (Pepcid, Zantac) for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Loperamide (Imodium) or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) for diarrhea
- Stool softeners or laxatives for constipation
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve) for cramping pain
If waves of pain in your stomach is caused by a specific medical problem, such as an ulcer, treatments for that problem can help relieve symptoms.
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https://www.uptodate.com/contents/causes-of-abdominal-pain-in-adults?search=Stomach%20Pain&source=search_result&selectedTitle=4~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=4
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/evaluation-of-the-adult-with-abdominal-pain?search=Stomach%20Pain&source=search_result&selectedTitle=5~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=5
https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/symptoms/abdominal-pain
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/stomach-ache-and-stomach-upset-the-basics?search=upset%20stomach&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=1
https://www.uhs.wisc.edu/medical/upset-stomach/