Causes Behind Recurring Stomach Pain

Introduction

Stomach pain is usually a localized ache that has happened to all of us. Usually, stomach cramps and discomfort indicate digestive disorders. But the intermittent colicky pain that occurs sometimes, can alarm you. If you have been witnessing this kind of pain over a long period of time, then it is time you visit the doctor, especially if your stomach pain is accompanied by symptoms like nausea and vomiting.

In this blog, we will discuss 6 common causes behind stomach pain that comes and goes. It is important to understand these causes and know when to seek immediate medical attention to avoid risk of any complications 

Cause Behind Stomach Pain

Here are a few likely causes behind recurring stomach pain: 

1. Appendicitis

Sometimes the appendix, an abdominal organ, can get inflamed causing a condition called appendicitis, which could lead to stabbing pains that intensify and ebb. The pain usually originates around the umbilicus and migrates to the right lower quadrant, and it typically intensifies and persists. There might be other symptoms like bloating, vomiting, fever, loss of appetite, and rebound tenderness. The symptoms usually develop rapidly over a few hours. Appendix rupture can cause serious medical emergencies like peritonitis and sepsis, so you must seek immediate medical attention¹.  

2. Ovarian Cysts

These commonly cause sharp, dull, aching, or sudden, often localized to the lower abdomen or pelvis. Many women have ovarian cysts, which are usually harmless. But sometimes they enlarge, and this is when they trigger pain.  

In such cases, the epicentre of the pain is in the lower abdomen or pelvis, usually on one side,. You may also notice bloating and a sensation of pressure in your stomach². You can use hot compresses as a temporary measure to deal with the pain. While warm compresses can ease mild discomfort, they should not be used as a substitute for medical evaluation in the case of sudden or severe pain, as urgent intervention may be needed for complications like torsion or rupture. 

3. Gallstones

Sometimes bilirubin or cholesterol accumulates to form stone shaped objects inside your gallbladder. They may even obstruct the cystic duct (from the gallbladder) or common bile duct (if the stone travels farther), and this causes colicky, steady, or severe right upper quadrant or epigastric pain³. Other indicators of gallstones are a yellowish tinge in the eyes, nausea, vomiting, sweating and fever. While some herbs may soothe mild dyspepsia, they do not treat gallstones and may delay proper care. In fact, peppermint can sometimes worsen symptoms by relaxing the sphincter of Oddi. 

4. Irritable Bowel Syndrome

In Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), you may experience pain in your stomach after meals. Or the pain might appear during specific times of the day. Although, IBS cannot be diagnosed solely based on symptoms after meals; it requires clinical evaluation and ruling out other conditions. Other symptoms of this disorder are pain accompanying defecation, the presence of mucus in faeces, diarrhoea⁴, and flatulence.  

5. Urinary Tract Infection

UTIs are a common, painful and bothersome disease. Usually, the bladder is a common site of infection, but actually, any section of the tract can become infected. Not only does it trigger pain in the abdomen, but you might also feel a burning sensation when you urinate⁵.

In my experience the major causes of abdominal pain in children are behavioural, lymph nodes in intestines and worms. All should be evaluated and treated by a paediatrician. 

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD(Pediatrics)

6. Peptic Ulcer

This ulcer develops on the lining of your stomach. Prolonged usage of specific medicines such as NSAIDs (painkillers) and infections like H-pylori can cause ulcer formation⁶. They can cause a constant burning sensation in your abdomen. Some ulcers may heal spontaneously but usually they require medical treatment to ensure healing and prevent complications like bleeding or perforation. 

Some other sources of stomach pain can be: 

• Gastroenteritis 
• Food allergies 
• Pain arising from ovulation

Children, especially in the early ages, frequently suffer from stomach aches. If their stomach ache is accompanied by weight loss, diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, you should always consult a paediatrician to diagnose the cause and provide the treatment for the same. 

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D. in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology

Signs You Need to Go See a Doctor for Your Abdominal Pain Right Now!

If you face any of these signs while dealing with abdominal pain then don’t wait any longer. Consult a doctor immediately! 

• Constant pain lasting for long periods of time⁷ 
• Scrotum pain for males 
• Vaginal bleeding for pregnant women 
• Pain, nausea followed by difficulty in breathing 
• Blood in vomit 
• If you spot blood in your urine or bowel⁷ 
• Pain that spreads from your abdomen to other parts of your body like the chest, shoulder, neck etc. 
• If you are developing a fever during your abdominal pain⁷
• If you are facing issues with passing urine or bowel 

How to Reduce Abdominal Pain at Home

Unless you are facing any of the above-mentioned symptoms, your abdominal pain will most likely go away without the need for any special medical treatment. However, here are a few ways you can deal with abdominal pain yourself at home to reduce the pain: 

• Use hot water bags to alleviate the pain⁸. Place it on your abdomen and let it stay there for some time. It can help relax abdominal muscles and ease cramping. 
• Stay hydrated!⁹ Drink plenty of water and other healthy clear fluids.. 
• Try to minimise your consumption of coffee, alcohol and tea as they can contribute to increasing the pain. 
• Don’t stress yourself out. Rest as much as you can. 
• Ask your doctor to prescribe you a mild painkiller. 
• Over-the-counter antacids help in reducing acid-related abdominal pain. e.g., gastritis, reflux)⁹. However remember they are not helpful for pain from causes like UTIs, IBS, gallstones, or appendicitis. 

Conclusion

Ignoring abdominal pain that comes and goes can lead to medical complications in the future, you really should consult a doctor to find out if any one of the above-mentioned disorders is at the root of your stomach ache. Some of them need immediate medical treatment. Don’t wait till the symptoms become even more prominent because the longer you wait, the longer it will take for you to heal completely. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

1. Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. Appendicitis. Cleveland Clinic. 2023 [cited 2025 Apr 28]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8095-appendicitis 

2. Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. Ovarian cysts. Cleveland Clinic. 2023 [cited 2025 Apr 28]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9133-ovarian-cysts 

3. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Gallstones. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. 2023 [cited 2025 Apr 28]. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gallstones 

4. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. [Internet]. Irritable Bowel Syndrome. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Sep 2013 [cited 2025 Apr 28]. Available from: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GOVPUB-HE20-PURL-gpo49836/pdf/GOVPUB-HE20-PURL-gpo49836.pdf 

5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[Internet]. Urinary Tract Infection Basics. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/uti/about/index.html  

6. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases [Internet]. Symptoms & Causes of Peptic Ulcers (Stomach or Duodenal Ulcers). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/peptic-ulcers-stomach-ulcers/symptoms-causes  

7. Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. Abdominal Pain. Cleveland Clinic. 2022 [cited 2025 Apr 28]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/4167-abdominal-pain 

8. Shirazi-Nejad AR, Hebden JM. Abdominal Pain Relieved By A Warm Hot Water Bottle: An Atypical Presentation Of Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis. Eur J Case Rep Intern Med. 2020 May 12;7(8):001687. doi: 10.12890/2020_001687. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7417050/   

9. MedlinePlus [Internet]. Abdominal pain Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine. 2025 Jun 1 [cited 2025 Apr 28]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003120.htm 

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

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