Stomach Ache

Most stomach aches are not anything serious and will go away after a few days.

Common causes of stomach ache

These are some common types of stomach ache and what may be causing them. But see a GP if you're unsure and worried.

A pharmacist can help with stomach ache

Speak to a pharmacist about:

what might be causing your stomach ache
treatments that might help
medicines for constipation and indigestion

Find a pharmacy

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

You have a stomach ache and:

it gets much worse
it does not go away or keeps coming back
you have bloating that does not go away or keeps coming back
you have problems with swallowing food
you're pregnant
you're losing weight without trying to
you suddenly pee more often or less often
peeing is suddenly painful
you bleed from your bottom
you have unusual bleeding or abnormal discharge from your vagina
you have diarrhoea that does not go away after a few days

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Call 999 or go to A&E if:

a stomach ache came on very suddenly or is severe
it hurts when you touch your stomach
you're vomiting blood or your vomit looks like ground coffee
your poo is bloody or black and sticky and extremely smelly
you cannot pee
you cannot poo or fart
you cannot breathe
you have chest pain
you have diabetes and you're vomiting
someone has collapsed

Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Bring any medicines you take with you.

Other causes of stomach ache

Do not self-diagnose. See a GP if you're worried.

Sexual Health Advice

Throughout this series we have help and advice on staying healthy, dealing with Sexually Transmitted Infections, the risks of each type of the most popular gay sex and what to do if the sex you have is not consentual. The topics covered in this series include:

	This item was in brought to you association with NHS website. Follow the links above for more information and don't forget to check out OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health which features items on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. This week our topic is: L - Lung Cancer.
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