You’re fully aware when one strikes—the gassy, bloated, and turbulent discomfort of a stomachache. However, figuring out the direct source can be a different predicament altogether with almost any organ (i.e., the small or large intestine, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, spleen, and kidneys) in your abdomen being the origin.
Here are 15 of the most common medical causes of stomach ache…
Want diet & nutrition content delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our exclusive diet & nutrition newsletter!
1. Lactose Intolerance
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders, roughly 65-percent of the world’s population suffer from lactose intolerance, which is a type of food intolerance that results in gas, bloating, burping, indigestion, nausea, diarrhea/constipation, and abdominal cramps, after consuming dairy products.
Lactose intolerance is typically caused either by lactase deficiency (the small intestine produces reduced levels of lactase, which aids digestion) or lactose malabsorption (in which undigested lactose is abnormally absorbed in the colon). The best option to reduce symptoms is to avoid dairy products (e.g., cheese, milk, ice cream, and butter).