Stomach Pain You Should Never Ignore

Most of us have experienced some form of stomach discomfort maybe from overeating, stress, or a simple case of indigestion. Often, it’s nothing serious. But sometimes, stomach pain can be your body’s urgent alarm bell, signaling a medical condition that needs immediate attention.

Here are eight types of abdominal pain you should never ignore, and why they matter.

1. Sudden, Severe Pain in the Upper Right Abdomen

This pain may appear suddenly and intensely, sometimes radiating to the back or shoulder. It could come with fever or nausea.

Possible causes: Gallstones, gallbladder inflammation, or liver problems.
Why it’s urgent: Untreated gallbladder issues can lead to infections and complications that may require emergency surgery.

2. Sharp Lower Right Abdominal Pain

If pain starts near your belly button and shifts to the lower right side, worsening with movement, coughing, or pressing the area, it could be appendicitis.

Possible causes: Appendicitis.
Why it’s urgent: A burst appendix can cause life-threatening infection. Early treatment usually means a simpler surgery and quicker recovery.

3. Severe Upper Middle Abdominal Pain After Eating

Pain that strikes after meals, radiates to the back, and comes with nausea or vomiting could point to inflammation of the pancreas.

Possible causes: Pancreatitis.
Why it’s urgent: Pancreatitis can become severe quickly, affecting digestion and other organs.

4. Cramping with Bloody or Black Stools

Have you seen any black, tar-like substance or blood in your stools?

Possible causes: Gastrointestinal bleeding, stomach ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease.
Why it’s urgent: Bleeding in the digestive tract can be life threatening and needs immediate medical evaluation.

5. Burning Pain with Unexplained Weight Loss

Chronic burning pain in the stomach, especially if it wakes you at night or is accompanied by weight loss, should raise concern.

Possible causes: Stomach ulcer, stomach cancer.
Why it’s urgent: Early detection of ulcers or cancers can greatly improve treatment outcomes.

6. Widespread Pain with Bloating and Vomiting

If your abdomen is distended, you can’t pass gas or stool, and the pain keeps worsening, it could be a blockage in your intestines.

Possible causes: Bowel obstruction.
Why it’s urgent: Obstructions can cut off blood supply to the intestines, requiring emergency surgery.

7. Pain with Jaundice (Yellow Skin or Eyes)

Abdominal pain paired with yellowing of the skin or eyes is a red flag.

Possible causes: Liver disease, hepatitis, bile duct obstruction.
Why it’s urgent: These can progress rapidly and affect your whole body’s health.

8. Sudden, Tearing Pain

An abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture, a potentially fatal condition, may be indicated by a tearing or ripping feeling in the back or abdomen.

Possible causes: Ruptured aneurysm.
Why it’s urgent: Immediate surgery is often the only way to save a life.
 

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