Why Does My Stomach Hurt And Feel Hard

How Do You Know If Something Is Wrong With Your Stomach

The most common signs of a stomach virus are nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. The stomach flu has nothing to do with the flu. The symptoms are caused by other viruses. Some of the symptoms of this illness are body ache, headaches, and nausea.

A person can spread the virus by coughing, sneezing, or sharing utensils or cups with someone who is sick.

The virus can also be spread through contact with an infected persons vomit, diarrhea, urine, feces, sweat, tears, saliva, mucus, blood, semen, vaginal secretions, breast milk, umbilical cord blood , or other body fluids that have been contaminated by the sick person.

If you are infected, you may not know you have it or be able to get rid of it. You may be contagious for up to three days after youve been sick, even if you dont have any symptoms.

My Stomach Hurts When I Drink Water

Drinking alcohol is associated with acid rising up from your stomach into your throat , or causing heartburn.

According to some evidence, alcoholic drinks can make your stomach produce more acid than usual, which can gradually wear away your stomach lining and make it harder for your body to absorb food. If you drink alcohol, its important to drink it in moderation.

Its also important not to overdo it, as too much alcohol can be harmful.

• Why is my stomach hurting everyday?

Stomach Feels Weird But No Pain: Pregnancy

During pregnancy, a womans body goes through extensive changes. It takes quite some time to get used to. However, the body and its features keep changing every trimester. Digestive changes are quite a common phenomenon during pregnancy.

The changes in hormonal levels affect the digestive system immensely. As the fetus grows it starts to take space in the abdominal cavity. During the last trimester, the fetus exerts a good amount of pressure on the adjacent organs.

Some of the most common gastrointestinal problems during pregnancy are as follows:

• Hyperemesis gravidarum, which is uncontrollable nausea and vomiting that may lead to electrolyte imbalance.
• Bloating
• Belching or excessive gas formation

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Home Remedies To Ease Mild Pain In Middle Of The Stomach

There are home remedies that you can try to help ease middle stomach pain. However, if you are in severe pain in the mid-abdominal area, it is best to see a doctor, as severe abdominal pain is a sign of a condition that needs medical attention as soon as possible.

For mild upper-middle abdominal pain and connecting areas, the following tips may be able to help you out.

Ulcers And Stomach Soreness

An ulcer â a hole in the lining of your stomach â also can trigger stomach soreness that doesn’t result from exercise. Years ago, doctors thought ulcers stemmed from too much acid in your stomach. But now, it’s clear that a form of bacteria called H. pylori causes the vast majority of ulcers, according to Mayo Clinic.

Smoking increases the odds of your getting an ulcer, which you can treat with acid-blocking medications, antibiotics and lifestyle changes.

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When To Call A Doctor

Bottom line: If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, it’s time to call a doctor.

• Bloody diarrhea, stools or vomit
• Black stools
• Persistent fever over 100.4 degrees
• Signs of severe dehydration, like feeling dizzy or a lack of tears or urine
• Unintentional weight loss or loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea that lasts for longer than three days

When To Contact A Medical Professional

Get medical help right away or call your local emergency number if you:

• Are currently being treated for cancer
• Are unable to pass stool, especially if you are also vomiting
• Are vomiting blood or have blood in your stool
• Have chest, neck, or shoulder pain
• Have sudden, sharp abdominal pain
• Have pain in, or between, your shoulder blades with nausea
• Have tenderness in your belly, or your belly is rigid and hard to the touch
• Are pregnant or could be pregnant
• Had a recent injury to your abdomen
• Have difficulty breathing

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The Pain Is In Your Side Or Lower Back And It Hurts To Pee

It could be a kidney stone, which is a pebble-like piece of material that can form in one or both of your kidneys when you have high levels of certain minerals in your pee. Kidney stones can vary in shape and size, the NIDDK explains, and while its possible to have one and not even know it, larger stones can cause some otherworldly pain as they pass through your urinary tract on their way out of your body. Pain usually comes and goes and may move toward the groin, Dr. Lee says. The pain can be so intense that it can cause nausea, vomiting, and chills. In addition to the pain, you might also notice that your urine is pink, red, or brown due to blood, the NIDDK says. Given how painful kidney stones can be, you probably dont need us to tell you that you should see a doctor if you think you have them. Seriously, though, dont try to tough it out!

Crampy Pain With Diarrhea Or Constipation

Lower “crampy” abdominal pain accompanied by bloating and diarrhea or constipation can be signs of irritable bowel syndrome , says Singh. “It’s exceptionally common and affects 15% of the U.S. population, particularly younger women, although it can happen at any age.” Symptoms of IBS can usually be controlled by managing diet, lifestyle, and stress. Medication and counseling may be needed in some cases.

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Kidney Stones And Kidney Infections

Kidney stones or a kidney infection can cause a lot of pain in either the left or right side of your abdomen. Your kidneys are located just below your ribcage on each side of your spine, and they remove waste and extra fluids from your body.

Kidney stones are relatively common, and affect about 3 in 20 men, and up to 2 in 20 women, and they usually affect people aged 30-60.

Kidney stones and kidney infections cause symptoms including:

• Pain in your left and/or right abdomen, lower back, or pain around your genitals
• A fever, shivers or chills
• Feeling weak or tired
• Loss of appetite
• Feeling sick or being sick

Not all kidney stones cause symptoms, but larger stones, or ones that block your ureter can cause:

• Constant lower back pain and sometimes groin pain
• Intense pain in your back or the sides of your abdomen which can last for minutes or hours
• Feeling restless
• Peeing more often than normal
• Pain when you pee
• Blood in your pee

Kidney stones are created by the build up of certain salts or minerals in your urine. Most kidney stones will pass on their own and you can encourage this by drinking lots of water. If youre in a lot of pain or feeling sick, your doctor can provide you anti-nausea medication and some pain relief.

Sometimes you need to be admitted to hospital because your kidney stone is too big to pass on its own, or it has moved into you ureter and is causing severe pain and potential complications.

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• Blood in your poop or bleeding from your bottom

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Treatment Of Stomach Heat

If there is no systemic disease involved, the goal of the treatment is to . The stomach heat will spontaneously decrease as soon as the stomach acid reaches normal levels.

Home remedies can be extremely effective. However, medical treatment may be needed if the problem persists.

Home remedies for decreasing stomach heat would include:

• Drink a glass of water as soon as you get up in the morning
• Take 5 to 6 small meals rather than three large meals
• Eat a lot of non-citrus fruits apple, banana, watermelon, etc.
• Eat or drink some yogurt for immediate relief
• Avoid overeating

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You Have A Food Intolerance

The most common intolerance associated with bloating is lactose intolerance, Dr. Sarker says. But other food intolerances, as well as Celiac disease or bacterial overgrowth, known as SIBO , can cause both distension and other GI symptoms like diarrhea, she says.

If you suspect a food intolerance, Dr. Sarker suggests avoiding the foods most likely to produce uncomfortable gas, including beans, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, onion and wheat. Feel better? You can then slowly add in small amounts of each food to see what and how much you can tolerate. For example, maybe a quarter-cup of beans on a salad is just fine, but a big bowl of three-bean chili is not. Keeping a food journal during this time will help you play detective and notice trends in order to pinpoint the aggravating food.

If that doesn’t do it, then you might consider a low-FODMAP diet. This diet is geared toward people with irritable bowel syndrome and removes foods that contain certain sugars that are not completely digested and therefore are fermented by gut bacteria. These triggering foods can lead to gas, according to Monash University, which developed the diet and offers a handy app to identify these foods.

The start of the low-FODMAP diet is extremely restrictive in the beginning you’ll be eliminating a lot of healthy foods, some of which may be your favorites. The goal is to create a wash-out period and then slowly add in those foods again and watch for symptoms to crop back up.

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Sudden And Severe Onset Stomach Pain

When mid-abdominal pain occurs suddenly especially in people with a history of peptic ulcer disease or in those who take excessive amounts of aspirin or NSAIDs it may be a sign of a perforation that could require emergency surgery. A tear could leak air and gastric content which can lead to a condition called peritonitis, and eventually, septic shock. Surgery would be required to seal the perforation.

If you’re experiencing chronic stomach pain, take steps now to head off any bigger problems down the road. Your primary care provider can help get to the bottom of what’s causing your issues and create a plan to help improve your gut health. Your plan may include medication, lifestyle changes, a healthier diet and stress management techniques.

7. Right or left lower abdominal pain in women

Sudden onset of right lower abdominal pain or left lower abdominal pain can indicate a ruptured ovarian cyst in a woman who is in the middle of her menstrual cycle. This kind of pain could also be a sign of ovarian torsion, which is the rotation of the ovary and part of the fallopian tube, or possibly a twisting of the ovary due to reduced blood supply. Seek treatment immediately at the nearest emergency department. Surgery to remove the ovary may be required.

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Severe Stomach Pain After Eating A Fatty Meal

If you find yourself doubled over after eating a high-fat meal, you may be experiencing a gallbladder attack. “Women are especially prone to gallbladder disease,” says Hardeep Singh, MD, gastroenterologist from St. Joseph Hospital, Orange, CA. “Overweight women in their 40s are at highest risk.” The pain becomes worse after eating, lasts 30 to 60 minutes, and may come and go, becoming more constant and severe over time, says Singh.

Get ahead of your abdominal pain with a diet that’s rich in nutrients and fiber and low in fatty foods.

Excess Gas Can Build Up

Gas is a normal part of digestion, but if it builds up in your intestines, it may cause bloating and pain. Gas happens when food that is not digested is broken down in your colon. This process produces methane and hydrogen, which you pass naturally as gas.

If you do experience bloating due to gas, modifying your food intake may help. Here are some common drinks and foods that can cause bloating:

• Foods high in fiber or fat
• Fried and spicy dishes
• Carbonated drinks, such as soda or beer
• Lactose found in milk, cheese and yogurts

Over-the-counter supplements can even trigger bloating.

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The Pain Has Stuck Around For More Than A Day And Its Spreading Into Your Back

Keep in mind that the amount of time youve been in pain isnt usually enough to tell you whats up on its own. The duration of pain is often not a reliable indicator of serious versus benign conditions, says Dr. Lee. But persistent stomach pain that wont stay put and actually starts spreading into your back can indicate something serious like acute pancreatitis or cholecystitis .

With pancreatitis, the pain typically starts in your upper abdomen and may extend into your back from there, the NIDDK says. While thats usually the main symptom of this condition, others include fever, nausea and vomiting, a quickened heartbeat, and a swollen or tender abdomen. If its cholecystitis, on the other hand, severe pain may first start brewing in your upper right or center abdomen before spreading to your right shoulder or back, according to the Mayo Clinic. Just in case these conditions dont seem similar enough, cholecystitis can also cause nausea, vomiting, fever, and stomach tenderness. Point being: Call your doctor. Both issues are serious, and itll be too hard to figure out whats up on your own .

Why Does My Left Side Feel Bloated After Eating

Bloating occurs in the abdominal area. It happens when large amounts of air or gas build up in the gastrointestinal tract. Eating is a common cause of bloating because when the body digests food, it produces gas. People also swallow air when eating or drinking, which then enters the gastrointestinal tract.

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Common Causes Of A Hard And Swollen Stomach

Do you not feel that sometimes your stomach looks bigger than the usual days? And it is not because you are overweight but for some other reason. We might have an answer for you, it is in the causes of a hard and swollen stomach. We have too many, which include our eating and also our lifestyle.

Causes Of Stomach Pain Based On Location

• Upper right: Gallstones, cholecystitis, stomach ulcer, duodenal ulcer, hepatitis.
• Upper center: Heartburn/indigestion, hiatal hernia, epigastric hernia, stomach ulcer, duodenal ulcer, hepatitis.
• Upper left: Functional dyspepsia, stomach ulcer, gastritis, pancreatitis.
• Middle right: Kidney stones, kidney infection, inflammatory bowel disease , constipation.
• Middle center: Umbilical hernia, appendicitis, stomach ulcer, IBD, pancreatitis.
• Middle left: Kidney stones, kidney infection, IBD, constipation.
• Lower right: Appendicitis, IBD, constipation, pelvic pain.
• Lower center: Bladder infection, prostatitis, IBD, inguinal hernia, pelvic pain.
• Lower left: Constipation, diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome, IBD, pelvic pain, inguinal hernia.

When to Seek Medical Help

According to Dr. Kingsley, you should call your primary care physician if mild pain lasts more than a couple of days, or if the severe stomach pain is accompanied by other symptoms.

When to seek immediate medical attention

Get medical help immediately if:

• You have abdominal pain that is very sharp, severe, and sudden.
• You also have pain in the chest, neck, or shoulder.
• Youre vomiting blood, have bloody diarrhea, or have black, tarry stools .
• You have a high fever.
• Youre having difficulty breathing.
• You develop consistent nausea and/or vomiting.
• Your abdomen is stiff, hard, and tender to the touch.
• You cant move your bowels, especially if youre also vomiting.

When to make an appointment to see your doctor

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The Pain Is Especially Intense During Your Period And Has Been Getting Worse Over The Years

Cramps can be a normal part of having a period, and hopefully, if yours are extreme, youve already seen a doctor. But its also worth noting that you should see someone if your cramps have sneakily gotten worse over time, Lauren Streicher, M.D., a professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern Universitys Feinberg School of Medicine, tells SELF. If your cramps are worse now than they were a year ago , it could be a sign of a condition like endometriosis. Endometriosis is thought to happen when tissue that lines the uterus grows outside of your uterus on other organs. That can lead to unbelievable pain that can show up in a variety of ways, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists explains: period cramps, pain when you go to the bathroom, chronic pain in your lower back and pelvis, and pain during sex, along with other issues like heavy bleeding.

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Keep in mind that the exact way endometriosis pain feels can vary from person to person. Its usually worse during a period and can feel sharp and cramping, Dr. Streicher says. But, for some people, its more like a dull, throbby pain. Its also not always worse during a persons periodsometimes its just bad throughout the month. There are ways to treat endometriosis pain, so dont write it off as something you just need to deal with. Try to find an endometriosis specialist who can help.

Chronic Gastritis And Peptic Ulcer Disease

Chronic gastritis occurs when your stomach lining becomes irritated or inflamed over time. Severe inflammation can destroy the lining and formation of the stomach or duodenal ulcer .

Chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer disease are classically present with burning or gnawing pain in the upper stomach .

However, many peptic ulcer diseases dont have epigastric pain instead, they are mild symptoms such as indigestion or discomfort .

Chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer disease are commonly due to:

• Infection .
• Irritation by certain foods or medication .

Gastritis often causes frank pain in the upper stomach area rather than a sense of hard stomach.

Common Symptoms of gastritis and PUD:

• Upper central stomach pain sometimes feels like a hard stomach in the upper-middle abdomen.
• The pain is usually dull, vague, burning, or aching pain.
• Associated symptoms include:
• If bleeding ulcers, vomiting of blood , or passage of black stool can occur.

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