What is Your Stomach Pain Saying about Your Health?

Gallstones form in your gallbladder and can block things up, causing pain in the upper right portion of your stomach. The pain tends to intensify after eating a fatty meal. Your gallbladder is responsible for dispensing bile for digestion so a gallstone can really get in the way of that process. In some cases surgery or other forms of medical treatment are required to remove gallstones.

Right abdominal pain is often associated with the appendix. When your appendix becomes inflamed, it can cause severe pain in your stomach that tends to start toward the middle and then moves to the right. The pain is often so severe that you feel a trip to the emergency room is necessary. Follow that instinct because a burst appendix can lead to major health issues so you’ll want to have yours removed before that can happen.

Endometriosis is a female reproductive disorder that causes the lining of the uterus to begin growing in other parts of the abdomen. It can cause debilitating pain in various parts of the stomach, depending on where the tissue has migrated. Endometriosis can be treated by a gynecologist so if you have pain often in your abdomen, make an appointment to determine if you might have endometriosis. Other symptoms include irregular bleeding and infertility.

Parasites can be picked up in lakes or rivers when you go swimming or by drinking contaminated water. They generally cause severe diarrhea and painful stomach cramps. You’ll feel the pain all over your stomach as your intestines cramp up. If you have this type of pain along with diarrhea, you should already know that a trip to the doctor is a must.

This condition causes pockets to form in the colon. Left untreated, they can become filled with food or feces passing through your intestine. Generally, the condition causes mild cramping, but if it progresses, it can cause abscesses, bleeding or tears in your colon, which will lead to more intense pain. Antibiotics are often used as a way to treat diverticulits.

GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, causes your stomach acid to regurgitate back up your esophagus. The condition is fairly common, but symptoms are similar to indigestion so many people don’t realize they have the disease. Many people refer to it as heartburn due to the chest pain it can cause. However, it also causes upper stomach pain so see your doctor for medication that can cut back on the symptoms.

Don’t freak out that you have cancer every time your stomach hurts, but stomach cancer can lead to pain. However, you will need to watch for symptoms that accompany the pain, such as loss of appetite, weight loss, bloating, vomiting and bowel changes. Stomach cancer isn’t one of the most common forms of cancer, but if you suspect an issue, never let it go too long.

Do you suffer from stomach pain? What causes yours?