Stomach has been aching faintly, feeling nauseous but unable to vomit.

Continuous dull stomach pain accompanied by nausea and an inability to vomit may be caused by conditions such as gastritis, gastric ulcers, or cholecystitis. It is important to seek prompt medical attention at a hospital to identify the underlying cause and receive targeted treatment based on the specific diagnosis.

1. Gastritis

Gastritis refers to inflammatory lesions of the gastric mucosa and is one of the most common disorders of the digestive system. It can be classified into acute gastritis, chronic gastritis, and special types of gastritis. Common causes include stress, infection, medications, and immune factors. Patients may experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, belching, nausea, and loss of appetite. Rest and a light diet are recommended, along with avoiding overeating. Under medical guidance, medications that suppress gastric acid secretion can be used for symptom relief, such as omeprazole enteric-coated capsules, lansoprazole enteric-coated tablets, and rabeprazole sodium enteric-coated tablets.

2. Gastric Ulcer

A gastric ulcer occurs when the gastric mucosa is damaged due to an imbalance between defense mechanisms and aggressive factors such as high levels of gastric acid and proteolytic enzymes, leading to self-digestion of the mucosal tissue and localized inflammatory defects. Symptoms may include upper abdominal pain, acid reflux, belching, and vomiting. Under medical supervision, medications that protect the gastric mucosa can help relieve symptoms. Examples include colloidal bismuth potassium citrate capsules, colloidal bismuth pectinate, and sodium bicarbonate tablets.

3. Cholecystitis

Cholecystitis is caused by obstruction of the cystic duct—often due to gallstones, inflammation and swelling of the bile duct, or intestinal parasites—leading to bile stasis, concentration, and subsequent chemical irritation causing inflammation of the gallbladder. Symptoms include upper abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Patients with acute cholecystitis should fast and avoid drinking fluids to prevent food and gastric acid from stimulating the secretion of cholecystokinin, which triggers gallbladder contraction. Additionally, following medical advice, spasmolytic and analgesic medications may be appropriately used for symptom relief, such as racemic hyoscine butylbromide tablets, phloroglucinol for injection, and atropine tablets.

Furthermore, other conditions such as pancreatitis and gastric cancer may also cause persistent dull stomach pain and the sensation of nausea without being able to vomit. Given the wide range of possible causes, self-medication without proper diagnosis should be avoided.