Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesWhen to See a ProviderTesting and DiagnosisFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
When to See a Provider
Testing and Diagnosis
Frequently Asked Questions
Sharp pain in the stomach has several potential causes. Some of these may resolve on their own without medical treatment, but others are considered a medical emergency. It is important to pay attention to symptoms so a healthcare provider can make an accurate diagnosis.
This article will discuss the causes of sharp stomach pain, treatment options, and when to see a healthcare provider.
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Why Does Your Stomach Hurt?
Stomach pain may come on suddenly, or it might be an ongoing or recurring symptom. The causes vary from everyday complaints such as food poisoning or stomach flu that usually get better with treatment to serious conditions that are medical emergencies or require ongoing medical care.
Indigestion
Also calleddyspepsia, indigestion is a general term for a group of symptoms related to the digestive tract.The symptoms may be due to something you ate or be related to other conditions. Symptoms may include:
Stomach Pain and Nausea: Causes and Treatments
Treatment for indigestion varies based on the underlying cause. Options may include:
Dyspepsia
Foodborne Illness
Common symptoms may include:
In some people, symptoms can be severe and even life-threatening.
In most cases, a foodborne illness will resolve without medical treatment. However, those with severe symptoms should see a healthcare provider.
What Is Food Poisoning?
Gastroenteritis
Symptoms may include:
There is no specific treatment for gastroenteritis, but rehydration solutions can be helpful. Medications may also be recommended.
Overview of Stomach Flu
Lactose Intolerance
Lactose is a type of sugar often found in dairy products like milk. Lactose intolerance occurs when the body can’t properly digest lactose.Symptoms vary among people but will often begin 30 minutes to two hours after consuming food or drink containing lactose.
Possible symptoms include:
Epiploic Appendagitis: What to Know
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional digestive condition. Several symptoms can occur together.
These symptoms can include:
Treating IBS may involve several approaches. These may include:
Overview of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Appendicitis
The most common symptom of appendicitis is pain in the abdomen. This pain may:
Medical EmergencyAppendicitis is a medical emergency. If not treated, the appendix can rupture within 48 to 72 hours of the first symptoms, which can be life-threatening.
Medical Emergency
Appendicitis is a medical emergency. If not treated, the appendix can rupture within 48 to 72 hours of the first symptoms, which can be life-threatening.
Other symptoms that may accompany pain include:
Appendicitis is treated through surgery (appendectomy).
The Stages of Appendicitis
Gallstones
Gallstones are hard, small, pebble-like deposits that can form in thegallbladder(an organ that stores and releasesbile, which is used for digestion).If a gallstone blocks the bile duct, bile can build up in the gallbladder and trigger a gallbladder attack.
This can cause several symptoms, including:
Typically, gallbladder attacks are treated with surgery to remove the gallbladder.
Gallstone (Cholelithiasis) Symptoms and Causes
Ovarian Cysts
Ovarian cystsare sacs filled with fluid on theovaries(egg-producing reproductive organs). Many people who have ovarian cysts experience no symptoms, but symptoms can occur.
Possible symptoms of ovarian cysts include:
If a cyst bursts, it can cause severe, sudden pain.
Treating ovarian cysts may involvesurgery, pain medicine, andhormonal birth control.
What Are Ovarian Cysts?
Ovulation Pain
Roughly 14 days before a menstrual period, the ovary releases an egg. This is known as ovulation.
During this time, some people will experience pain on one side of their lower abdomen. This is typically considered a normal part of the menstrual cycle. The pain may feel sharp and sudden, or like a dull cramp.
Ovulation pain can be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers or home remedies like a hot bath.
Ovulation Pain and Relief Options
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
A UTI is an infection anywhere in the urinary system. They more commonly occur in females than in males.
Symptoms of a urinary tract infection may include:
Urinary tract infections are treated with antibiotics.
Overview of Urinary Tract Infections
Celiac Disease
Celiac diseaseis an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body. When a person with celiac disease consumesgluten(a protein found in some grains), it triggers a reaction that causes damage to the small intestine.
There are more than 200 symptoms associated with celiac disease. These may include:
The treatment for celiac disease is to adhere to a lifelong, strictgluten-free diet.
Overview of Celiac Disease
Kidney Stones
A kidney stone is a hard, small, rock-shaped mass that is formed from substances in the urine.
Kidney stones cancause a variety of symptomsincluding:
Treatment may involve waiting for the stone to pass naturally, medications, or surgery.
What Are Kidney Stones?
Peptic Ulcers
Also known as a stomach ulcer, a peptic ulcer is a sore that can form in the lining of the stomach or theduodenum(the first part of the small intestine)
People infected with theHelicobacter pylori(H. pylori) bacterium or people who take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) long term are most likely to get a peptic ulcer.
The most common symptom of a peptic ulcer is a burning or dull pain in the stomach. The pain most commonly occurs when the stomach is empty.
Other symptoms may include:
Treatment varies based on the cause of the ulcer but may include antibiotics, medications, or avoiding NSAIDs.
Overview of Peptic Ulcer Disease
Food Allergies
Afood allergycan cause a variety of symptoms. These most commonly occur seconds to minutes after ingesting food containing the allergen (a substance that triggers the allergic reaction).
An allergic reaction is treated either with antihistamines or, in the case of a severe anaphylactic reaction, with epinephrine (adrenaline).
Medical EmergencyAnaphylaxisis a life-threatening whole-body allergic reaction. Symptoms include hives, facial, tongue, or throat swelling, difficulty breathing, and a fast or slow heartbeat. People who are at risk of anaphylaxis should carry an EpiPenepinephrine injectorto use at the first signs of anaphylaxis and seek emergency medical care.
Anaphylaxisis a life-threatening whole-body allergic reaction. Symptoms include hives, facial, tongue, or throat swelling, difficulty breathing, and a fast or slow heartbeat. People who are at risk of anaphylaxis should carry an EpiPenepinephrine injectorto use at the first signs of anaphylaxis and seek emergency medical care.
Ectopic Pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy can cause a variety of symptoms, including:
Methods for treating an ectopic pregnancy vary based on hormone levels, how far along the pregnancy is, and whether the fallopian tube has ruptured.
Treatment options include:
Medical EmergencySee a healthcare provider if you are pregnant and have abdominal pain and abnormal vaginal bleeding. Seek emergency care if you have signs of a ruptured fallopian tube (which can be life-threatening), which include:Sudden, severe abdominal or pelvic painShoulder painDizziness, fainting, or weakness
See a healthcare provider if you are pregnant and have abdominal pain and abnormal vaginal bleeding. Seek emergency care if you have signs of a ruptured fallopian tube (which can be life-threatening), which include:Sudden, severe abdominal or pelvic painShoulder painDizziness, fainting, or weakness
See a healthcare provider if you are pregnant and have abdominal pain and abnormal vaginal bleeding. Seek emergency care if you have signs of a ruptured fallopian tube (which can be life-threatening), which include:
When to See a Healthcare Provider
You should contact a healthcare provider right away if you have abdominal pain and you:
What Causes Stomach Pain During Pregnancy?
Diagnosis and Testing for Abdominal Pain
As well as taking a full medical history and completing a medical exam, a healthcare provider may use a variety of tests to diagnose the cause of abdominal pain.
These may include:
Summary
Sharp stomach pain has a number of potential causes. Some of these may resolve without the need for medical treatment but some, like appendicitis, are considered a medical emergency that requires immediate attention from a healthcare provider.
A healthcare provider may use a variety of tests to diagnose the cause of stomach pain. Treatments vary based on the underlying cause and may involve medications, lifestyle changes, surgery, or home remedies.
A Word From Verywell
Dealing with sharp stomach pain can be upsetting and scary. If you are concerned about any symptoms you are experiencing, don’t be afraid to contact a healthcare provider for help.
Frequently Asked QuestionsPain in the stomach can have many causes. Treatment will vary based on the underlying cause.Possible treatments for stomach pain include:MedicationRehydration remediesLifestyle changesDiet changesHome remedies like applying a hot water bottle to the abdomenYou should see a healthcare provider or call 911 immediately if you have abdominal pain and any of these apply:You are being treated for cancer.You’re having trouble breathingYou’re vomiting up blood.You have blood in your stools.You have trouble passing stools.You have pain in the shoulders, chest, or neck.Your belly is tender or rigid.You have had an injury to the abdomen.You’re pregnant or could be pregnant.
Pain in the stomach can have many causes. Treatment will vary based on the underlying cause.Possible treatments for stomach pain include:MedicationRehydration remediesLifestyle changesDiet changesHome remedies like applying a hot water bottle to the abdomen
Pain in the stomach can have many causes. Treatment will vary based on the underlying cause.
Possible treatments for stomach pain include:
You should see a healthcare provider or call 911 immediately if you have abdominal pain and any of these apply:You are being treated for cancer.You’re having trouble breathingYou’re vomiting up blood.You have blood in your stools.You have trouble passing stools.You have pain in the shoulders, chest, or neck.Your belly is tender or rigid.You have had an injury to the abdomen.You’re pregnant or could be pregnant.
You should see a healthcare provider or call 911 immediately if you have abdominal pain and any of these apply:
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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