Tummy ache

When to get medical advice?

See your GP or call NHS 111 if you're worried or need advice about your symptoms.

For example, if:

The pain gets much worse in a short space of time
The pain won't go away or keeps returning
You have unexpected weight loss
You have unusual vaginal discharge
You bleed from your bottom
You have a persistent change in toilet habits

Call 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest hospital accident and emergency (A&E) if you:

Have sudden, severe stomach pain
Feel pain when you touch your stomach
Are vomiting blood
Have bloody or black, sticky stools
Aren't able to urinate
Have collapsed or can't breathe
You're diabetic and vomiting

If you feel pain in the area around your ribs, read about chest pain for information and advice.

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 23 Jan 2018

Articles for tummy ache

Abdominal pain with flare ups and remissions is used to describe pain in severe diseases of the organs in the abdominal cavity. These types of diseases are said to be in remission, following treatment via surgery or heavy medication.

Causes of a stomach ache

A stomach ache, including stomach cramps or abdominal pain, doesn't usually last long and isn't usually caused by anything serious. Some common causes of a stomach ache include: trapped wind (flatulence), pain or discomfort after eating (indigestion), being unable to poo (constipation), speak to your pharmacist for advice about medications to help ease symptoms of these conditions.

Causes of severe and long term abdominal pain

Some of the possible causes of sudden, severe abdominal pain include: appendicitis swelling of the appendix that causes agonizing pain in the lower right-hand side of your abdomen, a bleeding or perforated stomach ulcer a bleeding, open sore in the lining of your stomach. Some of the possible causes of long-term or recurring abdominal pain include: irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), etc.

When to get medical advice?

See your GP or call NHS 111 if you're worried or need advice about your symptoms. For example, if: the pain gets much worse in a short space of time, the pain won't go away or keeps returning, etc. Call 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest hospital accident and emergency (A&E) if you: have sudden, severe stomach pain, feel pain when you touch your stomach, etc.

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