What are the common causes of stomach pain?
Jun 16, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Introduction
Abdominal pain refers to pain in the belly. Generally, common causes of abdominal pain may include improper diet, exposure of the abdomen to cold, acute gastroenteritis, cholecystitis, appendicitis, etc. Symptomatic management usually involves general treatment, medication, or surgical treatment. It is recommended to apply a hot water bottle or warm towel to the abdomen; the temperature should feel comfortably warm, which can help alleviate the pain.
Stomach pain refers to abdominal pain. Generally, common causes of abdominal pain may include improper diet, abdominal cold exposure, acute gastroenteritis, cholecystitis, appendicitis, etc., which require symptomatic treatments such as general treatment, medication, or surgical treatment. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly and receive appropriate treatment under a doctor's guidance. Detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Improper Diet
Consuming large amounts of spicy, raw, cold, greasy, or indigestible foods, such as chili peppers, ice cream, and fried foods, may irritate the gastrointestinal tract, causing abdominal pain, possibly accompanied by symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It is recommended to adjust the diet, avoid irritant foods, chew food thoroughly while eating, and maintain moderate food intake.
2. Abdominal Cold Exposure
Cold stimulation can cause contraction of the smooth muscles in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to abdominal pain, typically presenting as intermittent pain, possibly accompanied by diarrhea. It is recommended to keep warm and apply a hot water bottle to the abdomen to relieve pain.
3. Acute Gastroenteritis
Bacterial, viral, or other microbial infections can cause acute gastroenteritis. In infectious gastroenteritis, the microorganisms and their toxins irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa, triggering an inflammatory response that leads to abdominal pain, possibly accompanied by fever, nausea, diarrhea, and other symptoms. It is recommended to use medications such as Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride Capsules, Bismuth Potassium Citrate Tablets, and Enteritis Ling Granules under a doctor's guidance for treatment.
4. Cholecystitis
Inflammation of the gallbladder or gallstones blocking the bile duct can cause cholecystitis. In cholecystitis, bile stasis leads to edema of the gallbladder wall, and the inflammatory response results in abdominal pain, possibly accompanied by jaundice, nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms. It is recommended to follow medical advice to use medications such as Anti-inflammatory and Gallbladder Tablets, Clindamycin Hydrochloride Tablets, and Ursodeoxycholic Acid Tablets to relieve symptoms.
5. Appendicitis
Bacterial invasion, congenital malformations of the appendix, gastrointestinal dysfunction, and other factors may induce appendicitis. When inflammation occurs inside the appendix, it causes local tissue edema, compresses nerve endings, and triggers abdominal pain, possibly accompanied by fever, nausea, and fixed tenderness in the right lower abdomen. It is recommended to undergo surgical treatments such as laparoscopic appendectomy or open appendectomy under a doctor's guidance.
It is recommended to apply a hot water bottle or warm towel to the abdomen, with the temperature adjusted to a comfortably warm level, which can help relieve gastrointestinal spasms and alleviate pain to some extent.
