Q. What are common causes for stomach pain?

Stomach pain is a very common complaint and can be caused by a variety of medical conditions, from minor ailments such as indigestion or heartburn to more serious conditions such as appendicitis or ulcers. The most common causes of stomach pain can include:

• Acute Gastroenteritis – This is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines due to infection, usually caused by viruses and/or bacteria. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. It's important to stay hydrated during acute gastroenteritis so drink plenty of fluids until your symptoms improve.

• Indigestion – This is often caused by overeating or eating too quickly, especially if you eat high-fat foods that are difficult for the digestive system to break down. Other triggers can include drinking alcohol, consuming spicy foods or smoking cigarettes. Stomach pains can be reduced with antacids but it's best to address the underlying trigger directly in order to prevent future episodes.

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) – IBS is believed to be related to abnormal muscular contractions in the intestines which leads to changes in body’s digestion process resulting in abdominal discomfort alongside alternating diarrhoea and constipation episodes . Treatments often involve diet control along with medication like anti-spasmodics for managing diarrhoea whereas laxatives may help individuals suffering from constipation associated with this condition .

• Food poisoning – Food poisoning occurs when food contaminated with bacteria or toxins has been consumed resulting in incubation period followed by minute intestinal damage leading towards nauseous , abdominal cramps & diarrhoea within 6–24 hours after ingestion . It would usually require symptomatic treatment while few cases may also call out Antibiotic prescription depending upon individual case dynamics .

 • Ulcers – These sores are typically located at the junction between your stomach lining & small intestine wall which starts off as small reddish patch on wall of gut before developing into a sore leading towards severe pain aggravating after food ingestion over time until diagnosis & treatment kicks off . Although traditional treatments such as antibiotics still serve their purpose like reducing bacterial count causing inflammation , newer medications like proton-pump inhibitors have entered market recently targeting core cause i;e secretion rise providing great relief even faster than its predecessors .

 • Crohn’s disease / Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) - Any chronic inflammatory condition affecting any part from mouth all way down upto anus wherepatient experiences usual bouts ofDiarrhoealongside additional gastrointestinal issues manifesting itself primarily throughintestinal ulcerationsresulting intomucosalinflammationassociatedwith persistentabdominalpains coupled withextreme fatigue& weight lossfrom severe malnutrition due several factors including impaired nutrient absorption & appetite reduction would classify itselfunder this category requiringlong term strategyto bring situation under controlagain involving diet plan modification besidesMedicine Intake either orally(oral steroids )ortopically (intravenous immunoglobulin IVIG ).