stomach ache

Nearly everyone has had a stomachache at some point. But really, any organ in your abdomen (there are many) could be to blame.
Tummy trouble can be short-lived, come and go, or show up only after you eat—all clues to the cause.



 Gallstones are stones that form in the gallbladder, a tiny sac that hangs out under the liver, disgorging bile as needed to digest fats.
These stones cause swelling and can block the duct into the intestine, resulting in pain. Gallstone pain tends to strike the right side of the upper abdomen, particularly after fatty meals.

Inflammation of the pancreas can cause burning pain in the upper or middle abdomen. Some people even have shooting pain that drives right through to their back, You may lean forward or lie on your back to try to relieve the pain, which may subside into a dull ache, nausea, and vomiting, Too much alcohol can be a culprit, as are gallstones (the gallbladder and pancreas deliver their digestive juices into the intestine via the same duct). It often requires hospitalization. 

 Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, can cause pain in the upper stomach and lower chest, aka heartburn. The cause? A valve that separates the stomach from the esophagus is weak, allowing food and acid from the stomach to splash upwards. Ouch!Eating too much food or the wrong type of food (fatty, for instance) can make it worse. Losing weight, watching what you eat, and medication like antacids, H2 blockers, and proton pump inhibitors, can also help. 

  

Diverticulitis is an inflammation of “diverticula” or pockets that form in the lining of the intestine, usually the colon. “These look like punched-out holes in the lining of the colon that tend to get inflamed or obstructed with stool or other foreign material,Symptoms can include cramping in the lower abdomen, which may respond to antibiotics. A high-fiber diet can help. In more severe cases, it can cause abscesses, bleeding, and even perforations, resulting in severe pain, or even the need for surgery or a hospitalization.

Endometriosis only affects women. It’s a condition that occurs when cells from the lining of the uterus escape and start to grow in other parts of the body, usually somewhere in the pelvis.
Pain, irregular bleeding, and infertility can result. Endometriosis is difficult to diagnose, If the endometriosis is confined to one small area, surgery may help. Otherwise it is treated with pain medication and hormone therapy, as the menstrual cycle tends to drive painful symptoms.