Belly pain can be felt in different shapes and sizes. The bellyache can sometimes be sharp, sometimes dull, bloated or tight. Due to the fact that many of our bodies’ functions happen in this area, the pain can be caused by different things. Apart from our different organs, we also have a lot of nerve endings in our abdomens, thus, the cause for a stomachache can range from fear or stress to an excessive meal to something much more serious.
Nevertheless, if you can locate where the pain stems from, you will be half way to curing it. The area of the pain will tell you a lot of what might be happening.
What is Your Bellyache Telling You?
Upper Right
If you feel pain in the upper part of your belly it might mean that you have an ulcer in the small intestine, also called a duodenal ulcer. The cause is usually an excess secretion of gastric juices.
Upper Middle
If you are experiencing a bellyache in the upper middle of your abdomen it can be related with acid reflux or another issue with your stomach or the end of the esophagus. It all depends on the sensation of the pain. You could also have an ulcer or gallstones.
Upper Left
If your are feeling some pain in the upper left part of the abdomen, it is probably your stomach. Another possibility is an ulcer or problems with the pancreas. If the pain is very intense and it is getting worse, it might mean that you have a gallstone stuck in the bile duct. Just pay a visit to your doctor if this does not resolve itself in a short time.
Lower Right
Usually, what pain on one side of the abdomen indicates is a strained muscle or overwork. However, if this happens often then you need to consult your doctor. Also, if the pain is sharp and getting worse, you have to check the other symptoms of appendicitis, because it can be a possibility as well.
Lower Center
If you are feeling pain below the navel it might mean that you have a urinary tract infection or inflammatory bowel disease. Women might be suffering from a condition related to the reproductive organs too. Just make sure you go to check-ups with your gynecologist regularly.
Lower Left
A lot of intestinal problems are indicated by pain in the lower abdomen. Women will also experience period cramps in this area, however, they will do so on both sides.
Middle Right
If you feel some pain on the right side at waist height, you might be having a problem with the kidneys. Or, this could be related to constipation as well. Another cause might be diverticulitis, when pouches grow on the wall of the colon.
Middle Center
If you are experiencing a kind of a dull pain in the center of the belly or around the navel, it might mean that you have appendicitis. This is especially so if the pain gets sharper and it moves to the right. You will start feeling nauseated and you will not be able to pass gas. Another option might be pancreatitis when you throw up as well.
Middle Left
If you feel pain at waist height on the left side, you might have a kidney infection or kidney stones. If it is painful to urinate as well and you are constipated, consult your doctor. Apart from it being a kidney infection, it might also be related to the lumbar part of your spine.
These are all the types of pains in belly, and you can clearly see that they might indicate different conditions. If the bellyache continues to be there after a few days, our advice would be to consult your doctor. Just be persistent and keep searching for the right diagnosis, even if the first one is not conclusive. Sometimes it might take you a while to understand what is going on, especially if it is due to the most complicated factors- food or stress.