• Muscle strain¹⁰
• Dehydration¹⁰
• Gas¹⁰
• Constipation¹⁰
• Inflammatory bowel disease¹⁰
• Irritable bowel syndrome¹⁰
• Gastritis and gastroenteritis¹⁰

Most stomach spasms are harmless and go away without further treatment. See a doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms with your stomach spasms:

• Vomiting¹⁰
• Blood in your bowel movements¹⁰
• Severe pain, especially chest pain¹⁰
• Long-lasting or recurring stomach spasms¹⁰
• Fever¹⁰
• Shortness of breath¹⁰

Abdominal pain is discomfort in the belly region — between your ribs and your pelvis. Pain may occur in your digestive system, abdominal wall, and the skin and muscles that make up the outer shell of your abdomen. You may also experience pain coming from elsewhere like your chest, pelvis or back.⁴

Abdominal pain can feel different depending on the cause of the pain. It may feel:

• Mild or severe⁴
• Dull or sharp⁴
• Burning or achy⁴
• Crampy or colicky⁴
• Constant or intermittent⁴
• Localised (in one spot) or generalised (all over)⁴

Most people will experience stomach pain at some point. Usually, it is not serious and will resolve on its own. In some cases, stomach pain can be a sign of serious illness.⁴ If your stomach pain persists, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

Less serious causes of abdominal pain include:

• Indigestion⁴
• Gas and gas pain⁴
• Constipation⁴
• Food allergies and intolerances⁴
• Food poisoning⁴
• Irritable bowel syndrome⁸
• Stomach virus⁸

More serious causes of abdominal pain include:

• Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu)⁴
• Peptic ulcer disease⁴
• Chronic acid reflux (GERD)⁴
• Urinary tract infection (UTI)⁴
• Appendicitis⁸
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm⁸
• Bowel blockage⁸
• Cancer⁸
• Gastroesophageal reflux⁸

During your reproductive cycle, you may experience occasional pain from:

• Menstrual cramps⁴
• Ovulation pain⁴

• Bowel rest. Avoid solid foods or eat easy-to-digest foods like crackers or bananas.⁴
• Hydration. Sip water or other clear fluids.⁴
• Heat therapy. Relieve discomfort with a hot water bottle or bath.⁴
• Home remedies. Relieve indigestion with ginger or try peppermint to help relax your intestinal muscles.⁴

If you do not know what is causing your abdominal pain, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

Yes. When you’re stressed, your body releases hormones and neurotransmitters that can affect the delicate balance of bacteria in your gut, causing gastrointestinal discomfort, which can cause stomach pain.⁷

Yes. Gas bubbles in the stomach and intestines can sometimes cause uncomfortable pressure and stomach pain.⁶

• Swallowing air⁶
• Excessive crying⁶
• Minor digestive problems such as constipation⁶
• An immature digestive tract⁶
• A gastrointestinal virus which can cause gas, vomiting, and diarrhea⁶
• Trying new foods. For some infants, frequent gas may be a sign of a food sensitivity⁶

If your pain is unexplained, persistent, or severe, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
See your doctor if your stomach pain is accompanied by any of these symptoms:

• Persistent fever⁴
• Persistent nausea or vomiting⁴
• Blood in your stools, urine or vomit⁴
• Swelling and tenderness to the touch⁴
• Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin)⁴
• Pain in any other part of your body⁴
• Shortness of breath or symptoms that get worse with exertion⁴