Stomach Ache Location: Here's What Specific Areas of Tummy Pain Could Indicate

Stomach aches are quite common. They can range from bloating to cramps to feeling sick and losing one's appetite. However, the exact location of the stomach ache may indicate what it exactly is.

Location of Stomach Ache

Lower Central Area

For those who experience pain in their stomach's lower central area, a urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common reason. Lower UTIs are urethra or bladder infections.

According to general practitioner Dr. Hana Patel, lower UTIs are more common and less serious compared to upper UTIs, which are infections of the ureters and kidneys. Lower UTIs can lead to pain in the tummy's lower central part. It may also lead to a generally achy and tired feeling.

Lower UTIs can also lead to pain and discomfort when one pees. It can also boost peeing frequency and cause a sudden urge to pee.

To treat the infection, a GP may prescribe some antibiotics.

Lower Right Back

When one feels pain in the right side of the back, this could signify an upper UTI. If left untreated, this condition can end up serious as it may lead to damage in the kidneys or even reach the bloodstream.

Urethra or kidney infections could lead to shivering and chills, fever, sickness, restlessness, agitation, and confusion. It may also lead to pain in the back and sides.

An untreated kidney infection can lead to sepsis, which is a life-threatening condition that comes as an infection reaction that may lead to multiple organ failure and even death.

Lower Right Stomach

Pain in the lower right portion of the stomach could be an indicative warning of appendicitis, which happens when the appendix swells.

When one has appendicitis, the organs swell and the region gets painful. If the condition is not promptly treated, the organ may end up bursting. Such a case could even be life-threatening.

The condition typically starts with pain in the middle of the abdomen that may come and eventually go. In a span of hours, the pain will reach the side of the lower right hand, where the appendix is typically situated. The pain then becomes severe and constant.

It is recommended that if abdominal pain spreads, medical assistance be immediately sought, as this could signify that the appendix has burst. If this occurs, the abdomen lining gets infected with bacteria, a condition known as peritonitis. This could lead to internal organ damage and even more abdominal pain. It can also lead to sickness, fever, and a rapid heartbeat.

Appendicitis treatment typically involves appendix-removal surgery as well as antibiotics.

Central

Pain focused on the stomach's center is likely due to the bowel. Such a kind of pain could signify food poisoning, a virus, lactose intolerance, or an allergy.

However, it may also signify irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which is a condition that involves the digestive system. It leads to symptoms including bloating, stomach cramps, constipation, and diarrhea.

While the condition's exact cause remains unknown, it has been associated with the quick or slow passing of food through the gut as well as oversensitive gut nerves, IBS family history, and stress.

Though IBS does not have a cure, medicines and diet changes could typically help with symptom management.

Upper Central

Pain right below the ribcage could indicate acid reflux or gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). This condition is quite common, as it involves the leaking of stomach acid into the esophagus.

GORD leads to bloating, bad breath, esophagus inflammation, swallowing pain, and heartburn. The condition can be caused or worsened by some foods and drinks, including fatty foods, alcohol, coffee, and spicy foods.

The condition can typically be controlled by medication and self-help treatments. However, in some cases, surgery is necessary.

Upper Right

Upper-right stomach pain could be due to gallstones. These are believed to be caused by a chemical makeup imbalance within the gallbladder or a cholesterol surplus.

Though gallstones do not lead to symptoms, if they end up blocking a bile duct in a complication known as biliary colic, they may lead to sharp pain in the region. This intermittent pain could spread to the back. It may last for a couple of hours before easing slowly.

Gallstones can be treated with antibiotics. However, there are cases where surgical procedures are necessary.

When the gallbladder is blocked by gallstones, similar pain may also occur. In such cases, these gallstones could lead to other issues, including pancreatitis, jaundice, and cholangitis.

Check out more news and information on Medicine & Health in Science Times.