First, you hear the rumble, then you feel the pain – or is it the other way around? All you know is that you’re doubled over, grasping your stomach and imagining the end of the world is coming. What could it be? Why does your stomach hurt? Well, the truth is there are lots of different reasons. Here are a few of the most common acute causes of stomach pain.
Appendicitis
Is the pain sharp and located in the lower right side of your abdomen? It is possible that you have appendicitis, or inflammation of the appendix. According to the National Institutes of Health, appendicitis is the most common cause of abdominal pain resulting in surgery. It is most common between the ages of 10 and 30, and more common in males than females. If you notice this pain or you suspect you might have appendicitis, come to Spring Hill walk-in clinic immediately. Untreated appendicitis can result in your appendix bursting, which is extremely serious.
Viral Gastroenteritis
What we more commonly refer to as the stomach flu, viral gastroenteritis is definitely no treat. With symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever and body aches, you not only need to be near a bathroom, but near a bed to rest. Viral gastroenteritis is caused by a number of viruses, and it spreads most quickly in group situations. You can prevent it by washing your hands frequently and properly, ensuring you’re using clean water to cook and avoiding undercooked foods. Most of the time, you need to let this virus run its course, but if you have had diarrhea for three days or more, there is blood in your diarrhea or you are experiencing dehydration, it’s best to come to Spring Hill walk in clinic to restore your fluid balance and get back on the road to recovery.
Food poisoning
Sometimes it can be hard to tell whether you have viral gastroenteritis or food poisoning because the symptoms are quite similar: nausea, abdominal cramps, diarrhea and vomiting, among them. However, the treatment plan is roughly the same: Tough it out unless you’ve had 3 or more days of diarrhea, a high fever, symptoms of dehydration or blood in your urine. If you have any of these symptoms, visit our Spring Hill walk in clinic immediately for treatment.
Indigestion and acid reflux
Although acid reflux can also be a chronic condition, it often appears after eating certain foods or after eating large meals. This is also true of indigestion; however, the causes are different. For acid reflux, your lower esophageal sphincter (LES) begins to function improperly or doesn’t close tight enough. This allows digestive stomach acid to escape from the stomach up to your esophagus, which gives the burning sensation of heartburn. Indigestion can have many underlying causes, although it is often associated with ulcers and gastritis.
In both cases, over-the-counter treatments are acceptable as a first line of defense; however, if you use antacids for more than 2 weeks (in the case of acid reflux) or you have bloody vomit or trouble swallowing (in the case of indigestion), it is necessary to seek help immediately from your Spring Hill walk-in clinic.
Lifeguard Urgent Care – Spring Hill Urgent Care
If you have unexplained stomach pain which doesn’t seem to be going away after a few days, or your symptoms are severe, Lifeguard Urgent Care is here to help. We are open 7 days a week so that we are there when you need us and for a more affordable visit than the ER.
