Abdominal Pain or Indigestion

Stomach aches can be due to indigestion, trapped wind, heartburn, overeating, drinking too much alcohol or smoking, Sometimes, it could also be caused by a viral or bacterial infection in your stomach.

If the stomach ache is sudden and severe in a particular area of your belly, it could be due to more serious causes like appendicitis, ulcers, gallstones or kidney stones.

How to treat at home

• Sip water

• Avoid solid food for a few hours

• Avoid foods that may worsen the stomach ache, such as coffee, carbonated drinks, alcohol, spicy, fried or fatty foods

See your pharmacist if:

• You need further advice on how to manage your symptoms. Your pharmacist can also recommend other medications for your condition or advise if you need to see a GP, or visit the emergency department

See your GP if you have:

• If your condition gets worse or does not get better in two weeks

• Fever of 38°C or higher

• Diarrhoea persisting for more than two days

• Vomiting that persists for a few hours

• Difficult or painful swallowing

• Severe pain

Go to the emergency department if you are experiencing:

• Sudden and severe pain

• Sweating and breathlessness

• Vomiting that does not subside

• Blood in your vomit

• Bloody or black sticky stools