Abdominal Pain

Stomach Ache (Abdominal Pain)

Abdominal Pain is normally short-lived and usually consists of cramps or a dull ache in your belly, or abdomen. It is often caused by trapped wind and bloating and is a very common problem.

At IPSA, we can recommend a number of cover-the-counter products to treat stomach ache, such as Buscopan or Mebeverine.

If you are suffering from severe abdominal pain that start suddenly and unexpectedly, you should treat it as a medical emergency, especially if the pain is concentrated in a particular area. Call IPSA for an immediate appointment with a doctor.

Treating Stomach Ache at IPSA

At the IPSA clinic, you will be seen by our resident doctor who has a background in emergency medicine. We can give you an immediate appointment as soon as your symptoms start.

You will have a full consultation at a time that suits you to discuss all your symptoms. Our doctor will give you a thorough examination to exclude any serious causes for your symptoms.

If there is cause for concern, we may redirect you to IPSA’s medical or surgical team without going through A & E.

Our doctor may be recommend a full blood screen to rule out other conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, infection, inflammation, or kidney or liver problems. We can carry out all your blood tests immediately and our doctor will discuss the results with you on a one-to-one basis.

During your consultation at IPSA, the doctor will discuss different methods of treatment for your symptoms and will also go thorough diet and management at home.

Depending on your symptoms, we may offer you a range of medication to help control them.

If you need any further support or advice after your appointment at IPSA, our doctor will be available by phone on a seven-day basis should while you recover.

If you need a sick note to cover absence from work, we can provide this during your consultation.

Causes of Stomach Ache

Stomach cramps that have started recently and are accompanied by diarrhoea are often caused by a tummy bug, also called gastroenteritis. This is a viral or bacterial infection of the stomach and bowel, and should clear up by itself in a few days.

If you have severe stomach cramps and diarrhoea that make you feel very ill, for example, with a fever or chills, it could be the sign of a more serious infection like food poisoning. If you have these symptoms for more than a few days, it may be a long-term condition like irritable bowel syndrome.

If you are an adult with persistent or repeated episodes of abdominal pain, you should book in to see a doctor at IPSA to rule out anything more serious. Often the cause of your stomach ache cause is not serious and can be managed.

Here are some of the common causes in adults:

Irritable bowel syndrome.
Crohn’s disease: This is a long-term condition that causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive system
Constipation
Period pain
A recurring urinary tract infection
A long-term peptic ulcer: This develops on the inside lining of your stomach or upper small intestine.
Heartburn and acid reflux

Stomach ache in children is often caused by the following: