Stomach pain and gastritis: causes, red flags and which doctor to see
The abdomen can hurt for dozens of reasons — from overeating and cramps to inflammation. If the pain recurs, is linked to food or lasts more than a few days, see a gastroenterologist. And with acute severe pain do not wait — call an ambulance.
Common causes
- Functional digestive disorders — cramps, bloating
- Gastritis and other stomach conditions
- Gallbladder and pancreas problems
- Intestinal infections
- Irritable bowel syndrome, often stress-related
When to seek urgent help
Do not wait for a scheduled visit if you have any of these signs:
- Acute severe pain that keeps getting worse — call 103
- Pain with a rigid, board-like abdomen
- Vomiting blood or black stools
- Pain with high fever
- Abdominal pain during pregnancy
- Pain with no stool for several days and bloating
Ambulance: 103 (103 from a mobile) · Unified rescue service: 911
Your specialist
Gastroenterologist
What to bring to the visit
- A description of the pain: where it hurts, when it started, whether it is linked to food
- A list of medicines you take
- Previous ultrasound and gastroscopy results, if any
- What you ate in recent days — if there was vomiting or diarrhea
Frequently asked questions
Gastritis: what are the signs and which doctor should I see?
Gastritis may cause no symptoms at all, or it may cause pain or burning in the upper abdomen, a heavy feeling after meals or nausea. Other conditions feel the same, so symptoms alone cannot confirm it: see a gastroenterologist, and the doctor will order a gastroscopy if needed.
What should I do if my stomach hurts?
First check the list under "When to seek urgent help": with severe pain that keeps getting worse, vomiting blood or a rigid, board-like abdomen, call 103. If the pain is bearable but keeps coming back, is linked to food or lasts several days, book a gastroenterologist or a general practitioner and bring a description of the pain.
Can I take a painkiller before being examined?
With acute severe pain it is better not to mask the symptoms before the examination — it can blur the picture. Call an ambulance or go to a clinic.
Pain in the right side of the abdomen: when is it urgent?
Pain in the lower right abdomen that keeps getting worse, especially with fever, nausea or vomiting, can be a sign of appendicitis — call 103 and do not mask the pain with painkillers. Pain under the right ribs after fatty food can come from the gallbladder — see a gastroenterologist; if the pain is severe with fever or your skin turns yellow, do not wait for a routine appointment, call 103.
A child has a stomach ache: who should we see?
Take the child to a pediatrician, who will examine them and, if needed, refer you to a pediatric gastroenterologist or surgeon. If the pain is severe and does not ease, the child keeps vomiting, is listless or refuses to drink, do not wait for an appointment — call 103.
Gastroenterologist or general practitioner: who should I see first?
You can start with a general practitioner: they will ask questions, examine you and, if needed, order an abdominal ultrasound and tests — the cause is often found at this stage. If the pain has been coming back for a long time and is linked to food, you can book a gastroenterologist straight away.
More in “Abdomen and digestion”
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- Constipation or diarrhea in adults
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The information on this page is for reference only and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis in person. If your condition worsens, call 103.