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Why Does My Stomach Keep Hurting?
Understanding Recurring Stomach Pain and Discomfort
Your stomach hurts. Then it gets better. A few days later, it happens again. Maybe the discomfort shows up after eating.
Maybe it happens first thing in the morning. Or perhaps there's no obvious pattern at all.
Eventually, you start wondering: “Why does my stomach keep hurting?”
Recurring stomach or abdominal discomfort can have many possible causes. Constipation, diarrhea, nausea, reflux, changes in eating habits, stomach illnesses, stress, and other gastrointestinal concerns may all contribute.
The location, timing, severity, and symptoms happening alongside the discomfort can provide important clues.
VirtualCare2Go evaluates many non-emergency gastrointestinal concerns, including constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, GERD, and other appropriate symptoms through Texas telehealth.
Book a VirtualCare2Go appointment online if recurring stomach symptoms are bothering you.
What Does “Stomach Pain” Actually Mean?
People often say “my stomach hurts” to describe discomfort anywhere around the abdomen.
But the abdomen contains more than your stomach. That's why location matters.
During your appointment, try to identify whether the discomfort is: Upper or lower. Left or right.
Around your belly button. Spread across your abdomen.
Also describe what it feels like. Is it: Cramping? Burning? Aching? Pressure? Bloating? Sharp pain?
A feeling of fullness?
The more specifically you can describe your symptoms, the more useful that information can be to your provider.
What Can Cause Recurring Stomach Pain?
There isn't one explanation for every stomachache.
Possible contributors may include:
- Constipation
- Gas or bloating
- Diarrhea
- Nausea or vomiting
- Gastrointestinal illness
- Reflux or GERD
- Changes in eating habits
- Certain foods
- Medication effects
- Stress
- Menstrual symptoms
- Other gastrointestinal or medical conditions
Some causes are relatively minor.
Others require testing or a physical examination.
That's why recurring or worsening symptoms shouldn't automatically be dismissed as “just an upset stomach.”
Why Does My Stomach Hurt After Eating?
If discomfort repeatedly begins after meals, pay attention to what happens before and after you eat.
Ask yourself:
How quickly does the pain begin?
What did I eat?
Was the meal unusually large?
Do I feel bloated?
Am I nauseous?
Do I have diarrhea afterward?
Do I feel burning or reflux?
One meal usually isn't enough to identify a pattern.
But if symptoms repeatedly happen after certain foods or types of meals, record that information.
Why Does My Stomach Hurt When I Haven't Eaten?
Some people notice abdominal discomfort when they've gone a long time without food.
Others may feel nauseous, weak, or generally uncomfortable when their normal eating schedule changes.
If this happens frequently, consider:
When did you last eat?
Have you been skipping meals?
Has your appetite changed?
Does eating improve or worsen the discomfort?
Are you experiencing nausea or vomiting too?
Repeated symptoms deserve evaluation rather than assuming hunger is always the explanation.
Can Constipation Make My Stomach Hurt?
Yes.
Constipation can contribute to abdominal discomfort, cramping, pressure, and bloating.
Think about your recent bowel habits.
Are you going less often than usual?
Is stool harder or more difficult to pass?
Do you feel like you haven't completely emptied your bowels?
Are you bloated?
VirtualCare2Go evaluates constipation through telehealth.
Be prepared to tell your provider how long the problem has been happening and whether you're still able to pass stool and gas.
Why Am I Constipated All of a Sudden?
Changes in bowel habits can happen for many reasons.
Your provider may ask about changes involving:
Diet.
Fluid intake.
Physical activity.
Travel.
Routine.
Medications.
Recent illness.
Other symptoms.
Don't automatically treat persistent constipation without considering why it started.
New or significant changes in your normal bowel habits may need evaluation.
Can Gas Cause Stomach Pain?
Gas and bloating can create abdominal pressure and discomfort.
You may notice:
Fullness.
Cramping.
Burping.
Passing gas.
A visibly bloated abdomen.
Sometimes the discomfort moves or changes as gas passes through the digestive system.
But significant or persistent abdominal pain shouldn't automatically be blamed on gas—especially when other concerning symptoms are present.
Why Does My Stomach Feel Bloated?
Bloating can happen for several reasons.
Eating patterns, constipation, gas, certain foods, and digestive issues may all contribute.
Pay attention to whether the bloating:
Happens after meals.
Improves after a bowel movement.
Occurs with constipation.
Comes with diarrhea.
Is becoming progressively worse.
Occurs with significant pain.
Recurring bloating can be useful to discuss during your healthcare appointment, especially when it's a new change for you.
Can Diarrhea Cause Stomach Cramps?
Yes.
Diarrhea and abdominal cramping commonly occur together.
If you're experiencing diarrhea, your provider may ask:
- When it started
- How frequently it's happening
- Whether you have a fever
- Whether you're vomiting
- Whether there's blood in the stool
- Whether you've recently traveled
- Whether you've recently taken medications
- Whether anyone around you has similar symptoms
- Whether you're able to drink enough fluids
VirtualCare2Go evaluates diarrhea and other appropriate gastrointestinal symptoms.
How Long Is Too Long for Diarrhea?
The answer depends on your age, medical history, severity, hydration, and other symptoms.
Instead of focusing only on the number of days, pay attention to the entire picture.
Are you improving?
Getting worse?
Able to drink fluids?
Urinating normally?
Developing a fever?
Seeing blood?
Experiencing significant abdominal pain?
Persistent or severe diarrhea deserves medical evaluation.
Can a Stomach Bug Cause Abdominal Pain?
Yes.
Gastrointestinal illnesses may cause a combination of:
Stomach cramps.
Nausea.
Vomiting.
Diarrhea.
Loss of appetite.
Fever in some cases.
Several illnesses can produce similar symptoms, so it's difficult to identify the exact cause based on stomach discomfort alone.
A provider can review the overall pattern and determine whether additional testing or care may be needed.
Why Does My Stomach Hurt and Feel Nauseous?
Nausea and abdominal discomfort can occur together for many reasons.
Your provider may ask:
Did the pain or nausea start first?
Have you vomited?
Can you keep fluids down?
Do you have diarrhea?
Do you have a fever?
Where exactly does your abdomen hurt?
Could pregnancy be possible?
The combination of symptoms often provides more information than either symptom alone.
VirtualCare2Go evaluates nausea and many related non-emergency GI concerns.
What If I'm Vomiting Too?
Vomiting becomes especially important when it affects your ability to stay hydrated.
Tell your provider:
How many times you've vomited.
When it started.
Whether you can keep fluids down.
Whether there's blood in the vomit.
Whether you have diarrhea.
Whether you have significant abdominal pain.
Whether you're urinating normally.
Repeated vomiting with an inability to keep fluids down may require more urgent evaluation.
Can Dehydration Make Stomach Symptoms Worse?
Vomiting and diarrhea can cause significant fluid loss.
Watch for possible dehydration symptoms such as:
- Increased thirst
- Dry mouth
- Reduced urination
- Dark urine
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
Severe dehydration may require in-person medical treatment.
This is especially important for young children, older adults, and people with certain medical conditions.
Can Acid Reflux Cause Stomach Discomfort?
GERD and reflux may cause symptoms involving the upper digestive tract.
You might experience:
Burning.
An acidic or sour taste.
Discomfort after eating.
Symptoms when lying down.
Throat irritation.
VirtualCare2Go evaluates GERD.
If you're describing your symptoms as “stomach pain,” tell your provider whether the sensation actually feels more like burning or reflux.
That distinction can matter.
Why Does My Stomach Hurt at Night?
Nighttime stomach discomfort may be influenced by what and when you ate, reflux, bowel habits, or another digestive concern.
Ask yourself:
Did you eat shortly before lying down?
Was dinner unusually large?
Are you constipated?
Do you feel burning?
Does sitting upright change the discomfort?
Does the pain repeatedly wake you from sleep?
Persistent nighttime symptoms are worth discussing with a healthcare provider.
Why Does My Stomach Hurt in the Morning?
Morning abdominal discomfort may have several possible explanations.
Look at your routine.
Do you wake up nauseous?
Are you constipated?
Does the discomfort improve after eating?
Does it improve after a bowel movement?
Are you experiencing diarrhea?
Does it happen every morning or only occasionally?
A recurring morning pattern can be helpful information during an evaluation.
Can Stress Make My Stomach Hurt?
Stress can affect the body in very real ways, including digestive symptoms.
Some people notice changes in appetite, nausea, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, or other GI symptoms during stressful periods.
But recurring stomach pain shouldn't automatically be blamed on stress.
Physical causes still need to be considered.
If symptoms appear during stressful periods, tell your provider—but also describe the full symptom pattern.
Can Anxiety and Stomach Symptoms Happen Together?
Stressful or anxious feelings and gastrointestinal symptoms can sometimes occur together.
That doesn't mean the symptoms are imaginary.
Your digestive system and nervous system interact closely.
At the same time, abdominal pain can have many medical causes.
A healthcare provider should consider your symptoms as a whole rather than assuming emotional stress is the only explanation.
Can Certain Foods Make My Stomach Hurt?
They can for some people.
If symptoms repeatedly happen after eating a particular food, keep track of that pattern.
But avoid eliminating large groups of foods based on a single stomachache.
A simple food-and-symptom record can be more useful.
Write down:
What you ate.
When you ate.
When symptoms began.
What the symptoms felt like.
How long they lasted.
Whether you experienced diarrhea, constipation, nausea, or reflux.
Patterns become easier to recognize when they're written down.
Should I Keep a Food and Symptom Diary?
If stomach symptoms keep returning, yes—it may be useful.
You don't need anything complicated.
For a few days, record:
- Meals and snacks
- Approximate meal times
- Abdominal discomfort
- Location of pain
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Bowel movements
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Medications
- Stress
- Other symptoms
The goal isn't to diagnose yourself.
It's to give your healthcare provider better information.
Can Medication Cause Stomach Problems?
Certain medications may contribute to gastrointestinal symptoms in some people.
If stomach discomfort began after starting or changing a medication, mention that timing.
Tell your provider about:
Prescription medications.
Over-the-counter medications.
Vitamins.
Supplements.
Don't stop an important prescription medication on your own unless a healthcare professional tells you to.
Instead, discuss the symptoms and medication history with your provider.
What Does the Location of Stomach Pain Mean?
Location can provide useful information, but it doesn't diagnose the cause by itself.
Your provider may ask whether pain is:
Upper right.
Upper left.
Lower right.
Lower left.
Around the belly button.
Spread across the abdomen.
Be as specific as possible.
You can even point to the area during your virtual appointment.
Some locations and symptom combinations may make an in-person examination more important.
Why Does My Lower Stomach Hurt?
Lower abdominal discomfort may be related to several digestive, urinary, reproductive, or other medical concerns.
That's why additional symptoms matter.
Tell your provider if you're also experiencing:
Constipation.
Diarrhea.
Urinary symptoms.
Vaginal bleeding or discharge.
Fever.
Nausea or vomiting.
Menstrual changes.
A provider can help determine whether virtual evaluation is appropriate or an in-person examination is needed.
Why Does My Upper Stomach Hurt?
Upper abdominal discomfort may sometimes occur with digestive concerns such as reflux, but there are many other possibilities.
Explain whether you have:
Burning.
Nausea.
Vomiting.
Bloating.
Pain after meals.
Chest symptoms.
Don't assume significant upper abdominal discomfort is always indigestion.
Severe chest or upper abdominal symptoms can require urgent or emergency evaluation depending on the circumstances.
What If My Stomach Pain Moves?
Tell your provider.
Pain that changes location may be clinically relevant.
Track:
Where it started.
Where it moved.
How quickly it changed.
Whether it became more severe.
What other symptoms developed.
Don't rely on internet symptom charts to diagnose yourself based solely on pain location.
The full clinical picture matters.
Why Does My Stomach Hurt Before a Bowel Movement?
Some people experience cramping or abdominal pressure before passing stool.
If the discomfort improves afterward, tell your provider.
Also mention whether you're experiencing:
Constipation.
Diarrhea.
Changes in stool consistency.
Changes in how often you go.
Blood in the stool.
Persistent urgency.
Changes in your normal bowel pattern can be important.
Why Does My Stomach Hurt After a Bowel Movement?
If discomfort continues or begins after a bowel movement, pay attention to whether you're experiencing diarrhea, constipation, straining, bloating, or other symptoms.
Persistent abdominal pain isn't something you should diagnose based on bowel movements alone.
Record the timing and discuss the pattern with your provider.
What Does Blood in My Stool Mean?
Blood in the stool can have different causes and should be taken seriously.
It may appear:
Bright red.
Dark.
Mixed with stool.
On toilet paper.
As black or tar-like stool.
The appearance, amount, and accompanying symptoms matter.
Significant bleeding, black or tarry stool, dizziness, weakness, severe pain, or other concerning symptoms require prompt medical evaluation.
Can VirtualCare2Go Evaluate Stomach Pain?
VirtualCare2Go evaluates many gastrointestinal concerns, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, GERD, and other appropriate non-emergency symptoms.
During your virtual appointment, your provider may ask:
- Where the discomfort is located
- When it started
- Whether it comes and goes
- Whether eating affects it
- Whether you're vomiting
- Whether you have diarrhea or constipation
- Whether you have a fever
- Whether there's blood in your stool or vomit
- What medications you're taking
- Whether pregnancy could be possible
- Whether symptoms are improving or worsening
These questions can help determine whether telehealth is appropriate.
Book your VirtualCare2Go appointment for an appropriate non-emergency gastrointestinal concern.
What Should I Have Ready for My Appointment?
Before your virtual visit, try to have:
- Insurance information
- Photo ID
- Current medication list
- Medication allergies
- Relevant medical history
- A description of your symptoms
- Approximate symptom start date
- Recent temperature if available
- Information about bowel movements
- A list of foods or activities associated with symptoms
If you have recurring symptoms, your food or symptom diary can also be useful.
Will I Need Testing?
Possibly.
Abdominal symptoms can sometimes require tests that can't be completed virtually.
Depending on your symptoms, a provider may recommend:
Laboratory testing.
Urine testing.
Imaging.
A physical abdominal examination.
Pregnancy testing when relevant.
Other diagnostic evaluation.
Telehealth can help determine whether those next steps may be appropriate.
When Might I Need an In-Person Examination?
An in-person examination may be important when your provider needs to physically examine your abdomen or when symptoms suggest a condition that can't be adequately assessed through video.
You may also need in-person care for:
Persistent or worsening pain.
Significant localized tenderness.
Repeated vomiting.
Signs of dehydration.
Bleeding.
Testing or imaging.
Other concerning symptoms.
Virtual care is useful, but abdominal pain is one of those symptoms where hands-on evaluation can sometimes be especially important.
When Should I Seek Prompt Medical Care?
Seek prompt medical evaluation for stomach or abdominal symptoms that are:
- Persistent
- Becoming more frequent
- Increasing in severity
- Associated with repeated vomiting
- Associated with significant dehydration
- Accompanied by fever and worsening pain
- Associated with blood in the stool or vomit
- Accompanied by major changes in bowel habits
- New and unusual for you
Don't keep treating recurring stomach pain at home indefinitely without understanding why it keeps happening.
When Is Stomach Pain an Emergency?
Some abdominal symptoms require immediate medical attention.
Call 911 or seek emergency care for symptoms such as:
- Sudden, severe abdominal pain
- Severe or rapidly worsening pain
- Loss of consciousness
- Severe difficulty breathing
- Severe chest pain or pressure
- Significant uncontrolled bleeding
- Vomiting blood
- Severe abdominal pain with other potentially life-threatening symptoms
Emergency symptoms shouldn't wait for a routine telehealth appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my stomach keep hurting?
Recurring stomach discomfort may be associated with constipation, gas, diarrhea, nausea, gastrointestinal illness, reflux, eating patterns, medication effects, stress, or other medical conditions.
Why does my stomach hurt after I eat?
Meal size, eating patterns, reflux, digestive issues, or certain foods may contribute. Repeated pain after meals should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
Can constipation cause stomach pain?
Yes. Constipation may cause abdominal discomfort, cramping, bloating, or pressure.
Can stress cause stomach pain?
Stress may contribute to digestive symptoms in some people, but recurring abdominal pain shouldn't automatically be attributed to stress without considering other causes.
Why does my stomach hurt and feel nauseous?
Nausea and abdominal pain can occur together with gastrointestinal illness, digestive problems, medication effects, and many other conditions. The full symptom pattern should be evaluated.
Can dehydration happen from vomiting or diarrhea?
Yes. Repeated vomiting or diarrhea can cause fluid loss and dehydration, particularly when you're unable to drink enough to replace lost fluids.
Can I see an online doctor for stomach problems?
VirtualCare2Go evaluates many appropriate non-emergency gastrointestinal concerns, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and GERD.
Can telehealth diagnose every cause of stomach pain?
No. Some abdominal conditions require a physical examination, testing, laboratory work, or imaging.
When should stomach pain be checked in person?
Persistent, worsening, severe, localized, or otherwise concerning abdominal pain may require an in-person examination.
Are same-day appointments available?
Same-day VirtualCare2Go appointments are offered based on current availability.
How do I schedule a virtual appointment?
You can book your VirtualCare2Go appointment online.
Your Stomach May Be Showing a Pattern
Recurring stomach pain can feel unpredictable.
But sometimes the pattern becomes clearer when you stop looking at each episode separately.
Maybe it happens after certain meals.
When you're constipated.
During an illness.
After starting a medication.
When your routine changes.
Or alongside nausea, diarrhea, reflux, or other symptoms.
Instead of only asking:
“Why does my stomach hurt today?”
It may be more useful to ask:
“What keeps happening when my stomach starts hurting?”
Track the timing.
Notice the location.
Pay attention to your bowel habits.
Record what you ate.
And don't ignore symptoms that are becoming more severe or frequent.
VirtualCare2Go provides convenient Texas telehealth for many non-emergency gastrointestinal concerns and can help determine whether your symptoms may be appropriate for virtual management or need additional evaluation.
Book your VirtualCare2Go appointment or learn more about VirtualCare2Go's statewide telehealth services.