Stomach pain is a common problem suffered by almost everyone, and it could occur due to varied reasons. It can be the result of something as simple as a bowel movement or as severe as stomach cancer. Since causes can be many, it is often hard to pinpoint anyone. Generally, the stomach pain causes are related to an upset digestive system and such. If the cause is this minor, then stomach pain must subside within a day or as soon as your stool is cleared from your intestine.

The best thing to do is to judge the scale of your pain and see a doctor accordingly.

Here are 10 major stomach pain causes that you should know about

Diarrhea
The most common of the stomach pain causes, diarrhea, happens when your digestive system shows intolerance towards any food that you have eaten. It can occur due to a bacterial infection that discourages your regular bowel movement causing tremendous pain in your stomach and abdomen. Diarrhea causes dehydration and a loss of appetite resulting in stomach dysfunction for a short period of time.

Gallstones
These are stones formed due to sedimentation in the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a little organ attached to the liver to store excess bile. Formation of stones causes obstruction in the bladder, resulting in inflammation and unbearable stabbing-like pain. The pain mainly occurs on the right side of the upper abdomen.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD is the medical term that is used to describe a heartburn and is one of the prevalent stomach pain causes. The pain can be felt mainly in the upper part or the whole of the stomach and the lower part of the chest. This is caused when the acids in our stomach, which are digesting the food, make their way into the esophagus through the valve separating the pipe and the stomach. Hence, you get that pungent burp and taste in your mouth.

Lactose Intolerance
Most people are intolerant towards milk and other milk products, which means that they are allergic to milk. So, consuming lactose results in mild to severe stomach and abdominal pain. The intensity depends on how much allergic you are to lactose.

Gluten Intolerance
Just like lactose intolerance, gluten intolerance is also experienced by many people; sometimes they even have both the conditions. There is a severe form of gluten intolerance known as Celiac Disease. Gluten intolerance results in gas, bloating, mild to severe stomach and abdominal pain, fatigue, chronic diarrhea, malnutrition and weight loss.

Thyroid Problems
Even though the thyroid gland is located nowhere near a stomach or the abdomen it still affects this region. If you suffer from hyperthyroidism, that is if your thyroid produces too much hormone, your digestive system speeds up, causing diarrhea and abdominal cramps. If your thyroid gland is underactive on the other hand, then you can experience hypothyroidism, which slows down the digestive system, resulting in pain from constipation and gas.

Parasites
Yes, parasites are a factor for stomach pain causes. When a parasitic worm gets attached to the inner lining of the stomach or the large and small intestine, they lead to unwanted symptoms including pain in your stomach and the abdominal region. Tapeworm is one such problem where you experience tremendous pain and irritation in your anal area.

Appendicitis
An inflammation of appendix can lead to severe pain in your stomach and the abdomen. The pain usually starts in the mid-abdomen region and spreads towards the lower right side of the abdomen. It is more common in children and older adults. If you experience signs of pain due to the appendix, you must get it removed through a surgical procedure; otherwise, the appendix may burst and cause a potential health hazard.

Ulcers
If you are suffering from peptic ulcer disease or ulcers in your stomach and duodenum, which is the first part of the small intestine, you will experience pain in your mid-upper abdominal region, especially after meals or at night.

Cancer
Cancer in any organ of the abdomen like, liver, stomach, pancreas, etc. is among one of the stomach pain causes. However, the pain appears only in the later stage of cancer. But when it appears, that pain is unbearable. Experiencing a stomach pain is so common that you may get it almost every month. The pain in your abdominal region is considered to be stomach pain. Whenever you feel any of the symptoms, the best thing to do is get an immediate checkup from your doctor. If the pain is severe and unbearable, your doctor will ask you to do an ultrasonography to check what is wrong with your stomach. Another way to find out about the stomach pain causes is to examine the stool in a laboratory. Based on the diagnosis, a treatment procedure will be recommended.