Stomach ache: what it might be and who to see

Common causes

Other causes include period pain, endometriosis, irritable bowel syndrome, kidney stones, gallstones and appendicitis. The NHS advises against self-diagnosing, so see a doctor if you are unsure and worried.

What you can do first

A pharmacist can talk through what might be causing your pain and suggest medicines for indigestion or constipation. If the pain comes with diarrhoea or vomiting, the main thing is to keep drinking fluids in small sips, as explained on our diarrhoea and vomiting page. If heartburn is part of the picture, read about acid reflux.

Keep a note of where the pain is, when it started, whether it comes and goes, and what makes it better or worse. That record is useful to any doctor you see.

When a video consultation suits it

See a doctor if you have stomach pain, bloating or indigestion that does not go away or keeps coming back, or you are worried about your symptoms. For stomach acid problems, the DHA telehealth standard lists H. pylori testing as recommended when ulcers are suspected, so the doctor may ask for a test.

Expect questions about where the pain is and whether it moves, how bad it is, how it relates to eating, your periods or going to the toilet, any vomiting, diarrhoea or blood, and whether you could be pregnant.

When you need to be seen in person

A video call cannot replace a doctor pressing on your tummy. Get seen in person if you have a lump in your tummy. Get urgent help the same day if the pain suddenly gets much worse, you are pregnant, there is blood in your poo, you have unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge, or diarrhoea or vomiting has not gone after a few days. Pain in the lower right side of your tummy can be appendicitis, so do not wait if it is getting worse.

The NHS describes severe pain as pain that is always there and so bad it is hard to think or talk, stops you sleeping, and makes it very hard to move, wash or dress.

Signs that need 998

Call 998 or go to an emergency department if your stomach ache started suddenly and is severe, you are vomiting blood or your vomit is green or looks like ground coffee, there is a lot of blood from your bottom or your poo is black and sticky, you cannot pee at all, you cannot poo or pass wind at all, you have spots or a rash that does not fade when pressed, or you are struggling to breathe. Do not drive yourself.

Which doctor to see

Start with a general practitioner or family medicine doctor, or an internal medicine specialist for pain that keeps returning alongside other conditions. If a surgical cause such as gallstones is found, you may be referred to a general surgeon. Doctors on medicAI work at independent facilities licensed by DHA or DoH, and those facilities make the clinical decisions and provide your care.