You’ve had stomach aches from eating too much dinner, but this new pain in your abdomen doesn’t go away after a good night’s sleep. What could it be? It’s important to know what pain can be treated at home and when to choose medical treatment at M.D. Express Urgent Care.
Your stomach ache could be caused by one of the following problems:
- Stomach virus. Otherwise known as the “stomach flu.” It’s often accompanied by vomiting or diarrhea. Treatment: drink lots of fluids and get plenty of rest.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome. IBS symptoms include constipation, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. See a doctor for treatments.
- Food Poisoning. Symptoms of food poisoning vary greatly from mild stomach ache to severe stomach cramps and diarrhea. It could even be life-threatening. Treatment: Mild forms of food poisoning can be treated at home, usually by keeping yourself hydrated. But severe diarrhea, sudden severe stomach cramps, and vomiting that lasts longer than one day should be treated by a doctor.
- Ulcers. According to WebMD, “About one out of every 10 Americans will suffer from the burning, gnawing abdominal pain of a peptic (or gastric) ulcer at some point in life.” These holes in the stomach or intestine can cause a lot of pain. Treatment: See a doctor for long-term relief from ulcer pain.
- Hernia. This happens when an organ or fatty tissue pokes through a muscle or tissue around it. There are different types of hernias, and different levels of severity. Treatment for hernias often requires surgery.
- Appendicitis. When your appendix becomes inflamed, usually the first symptom is a dull pain in the upper abdomen that hurts worse as it moves down to the lower right abdomen. Further symptoms include vomiting, swelling, and fever. This is a medical emergency and should be treated by medical professionals right away.
- Kidney Stones. Solid material forms in the kidney and then passes out in your urine, causing pain, sometimes severe stomach pain. See a doctor for advice on how to treat.
- Gallstones. These solid pieces of material form in the gallbladder and can cause upper abdominal pain. These also need to be treated by a doctor.
This is not a comprehensive list. There could be other reasons for your stomach pain. If you are unsure what is causing your pain, stop in at an urgent care to get it examined. Stomach pain can be a symptom of something minor or something severe that needs to be taken care of.
M.D. Express Urgent Care is open 7 days a week, from 9 AM – 9 PM at 6 convenient locations to serve you. Don’t let your primary care hours keep you from getting the treatment you need. At M.D. Express Urgent Care, The Doctor Is Always In!
