17/08/2022
WHY DOES MY BELLY HURT?
1. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is defined by the presence of a group of symptoms which are present over a period of time, and affects around 1 in 5 of the population at some point in their lives.
2. Trapped wind
Trapped wind is a common tummy complaint, often caused by eating certain foods.
• Trapped wind symptoms
The typical symptoms of trapped wind in the bowels include stomach cramps, burping, bloating, flatulence, nausea, vomiting and pain when bending over, lying down or with physical exercise.
3. Constipation
Constipation is largely due to your diet, but it also has psychological, physical, emotional and hormonal components, so it's worth making an appointment with your GP.
• Constipation symptoms
The symptoms of constipation are infrequent bowel movements, hard, dry stools, difficulty or pain when defecating and swelling of the abdomen.
4. Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a condition that causes the lining of the digestive system to become inflamed.
• Crohn's disease symptoms
The symptoms include unintended weight loss, blood and mucus in stools, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and extreme fatigue. If there is a problem within the immune system, this could cause the body to attack healthy bacteria in the gut. An infection may trigger a similar response from the immune system.
5. Coeliac disease
Coeliac disease is a well-defined, serious illness where the body's immune system attacks itself when gluten is eaten. This causes damage to the lining of the gut and means that the body cannot properly absorb nutrients from food.
• Coeliac disease symptoms
The symptoms of coeliac can present as mild or severe and most often include diarrhoea, making it very difficult to separate from other tummy issues.
6. Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis vomiting bug can be a very unpleasant sickness and diarrhoea bug, but try to avoid seeing your GP as it's extremely contagious.
• Gastroenteritis symptoms
The main symptoms of gastroenteritis are sudden, watery diarrhoea, feeling sick, vomiting, and a mild fever. Some people also have other symptoms such as a loss of appetite, an upset stomach, aching limbs and headaches. Symptoms typically appear up to a day after becoming infected and can last a few days but can sometimes last longer.
7. Stomach ulcer
An ulcer is potentially dangerous so it's important to look out for the warning signs. These include difficulty swallowing or regurgitation, persistent nausea and vomiting, vomiting blood or vomit with the appearance of 'coffee grounds', black or tar-like stools, unintended weight loss, anaemia (paleness and fatigue) and sudden, severe and incapacitating abdominal pains. If any of these occur, seek medical advice.
• Stomach ulcer symptoms
A stomach ulcer is very different from a stomach ache so the two should not be confused. Symptoms of a stomach ulcer can vary greatly from person to person. Many people never realise that they have an ulcer, others feel pain or a burning sensation in their upper abdomen.
