There are three types of gastric pain, which are:

Visceral - pain related to the internal organs in the midline of the body. Unlike somatic pain — pain that occurs in tissues such as the muscles, skin, or joints — visceral pain is often vague, happens every so often, and feels like a deep ache or pressure.‌

Parietal - parietal abdominal pain is caused by the irritation of the nerve fibres in the peritoneum, the membrane that lines the abdomen.

Referred – when you feel discomfort at a location other than where the pain originates. It results from a network of interconnecting sensory nerves that supply many different tissues.

There are many causes of abdominal pain, which can be related to your digestion, injury, infection or disease. These include: 

• Appendicitis
• Cholecystitis
• Constipation
• Cystitis
• Diverticulitis
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Kidney stones
• Pancreatitis
• Stomach ulcers
• Trapped wind
• Urinary tract infection (UTI)

If you suspect you may have any of these conditions, you should make an appointment to see your GP as soon as possible.

Most abdominal pain goes away without any special treatment. It’s important to be guided by your doctor and consultant, but there are some things that you can do to help ease the pain, including:

• Place a hot water bottle on your abdomen
• Soak in a warm bath. Take care not to scald yourself
• Drink plenty of clear fluids such as water
• Reduce your intake of coffee, tea and alcohol, as these can make the pain worse
• Get plenty of rest
• Try over-the-counter antacids to help reduce some types of pain

Take mild painkillers such as paracetamol. Make sure to check the packet for the right dose. Avoid aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs unless advised to take them by a doctor. These drugs can make some types of abdominal pain worse.  Ask a Pharmacist for advice if you’re unsure.

If you experience any of the following symptoms with stomach pain, it is important to see a doctor as it may be a sign of something more serious:

• Pain is severe and lasts more than an hour or comes and goes for more than 24 hours
• Pain starts suddenly
• Bloody bowel movements
• Black, tarry stool
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Inability to eat or drink for several hours
• Fever greater than 39°c (102°f)
• Weight loss without trying
• Loss of appetite
• Feeling a lump in the abdomen

If you have chronic digestive issues such as bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea, your primary care physician will likely refer you to a specialist. A Gastroenterologist is a doctor who specialises in diagnosing and treating digestive system disorders.

At Benenden Hospital, we have a specialist team of Consultant Gastroenterologists who provide routine private gastroenterology diagnoses and treatment.

We offer fast access to diagnostic procedures for persistent abdominal pain. This includes:

Gastroscopy (also known as an OGD test): an endoscope is passed through your mouth, down your oesophagus and into your stomach. Your Consultant will be able to identify any issues and – if necessary – take a biopsy.

Colonoscopy: this is a relatively quick procedure where your Consultant will insert a colonoscope into your anus, before inflating your bowel with carbon dioxide gas in order to identify any issues with the lining.

We offer a range of treatments for conditions such as appendicitis, gallstones and kidney stones as well as urinary tract infections. To find out more, or book an appointment, please complete our online form or call our Private Patient team on 01580 363158.