We all have times where we suffer from stomach pain. Although stomach pain is usually short lived and goes away, there are some instances where it shouldn't be ignored. If you are ever weary of a certain stomach pain, go to the doctor or hospital.
Here are six stomach pains you should never ignore:
1. Pain that wakes you up at night.
Stomach pains should never wake you up at night. This is because when we go to sleep, our brains usually turn off the pain signals. The only reason you would wake up from stomach pain is if your body needs you to notice it. Don't ignore this.
It could be many things but most commonly, the gall bladder is inflamed, a gallstone is passing or appendicitis.
2. Reoccurring mild pain.
When stomach pain or discomfort comes on slowly and continues or recurs for weeks or months, sometimes accompanied by diarrhea, constipation, or bloating, don't ignore it.
This pain could be any chronic ailment such as lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers, food intolerance, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or coeliac disease.
Book and appointment with your doctor for further advice or answers.
3. Pain that worsens after a bowel movement.
If you have stomach pain that worsens after a bowel movement, go to your doctor as soon as possible.
This could be colitis, pancreatitis, or even something more serious, like pancreatic cancer. Either way, this isn't a symptom to ignore.
4. Sudden pain on your right side.
A pain on the right side of your abdomen, which may also create pain in other parts of your abdomen and back, could be caused by gallstones or gall bladder inflammation. It may also worsen after eating any greasy foods.
See your doctor.
The next one I experienced myself and is more common than you may think.
5. Pain near the navel or the upper abdomen that becomes sharp as it moves to the lower right abdomen.
If you are experiencing dull pain near the navel or the upper abdomen that becomes sharp as it moves to the lower right abdomen, nausea and/or vomiting soon after abdominal pain begins, abdominal swelling, and a fever of 99-102 degrees Fahrenheit, it could be appendicitis.
A Tylenol won't cure this one, appendicitis is very serious so always go to the hospital if you think you may have it, or are experiencing any of the symptoms.
6. Stomach pain followed by nausea or vomiting.
Vomiting is always considered a red flag when you're experiencing stomach pains, especially if your vomit contains blood. This could be a sign of a bleeding ulcer or esophagitis or an obstruction or partial blockage of the small intestine. If you are experiencing this, go to the hospital. If the pain is related to flu systems, then it is probably nothing to worry about but still see a doctor if you are worried.
We often brush off stomach pain because it usually is nothing and goes away quickly. This is usually the right thing to do, but if you experience any of these six types of pain, see your doctor or go to a hospital. If you are ever unsure of a pain, go to your doctor to be safe.