How to Diagnose Stomach Pains

Diagnosing anything on your own can be difficult. Rarely do you really know the cause of those aches or pains you may be experiencing, unless, of course, you're able to directly associate it to something, like a trauma or incident that happened in your recent past. When it comes to stomach pains, the same is pretty much true. But, there are a few things you can do to help diagnose your condition.

Instructions

• 1

  Consider the symptoms of your stomach pain. The first step to diagnosing any sort of pain, including stomach pains, will involve some consideration of the symptoms that are occurring. You should look at whether the pain is sharp or dull, burning or cramping, full or throbbing and if this pain is accompanied by other symptoms.

• 2

  Take into account the duration of the stomach pain. To help diagnose your stomach pain, you'll also need to take into account the duration of the pain. Does it last for only a few minutes or does it last a few hours? Has the pain come and gone over the past few days or have you suffered from periodic episodes of discomfort for the past few months? Do certain foods trigger your pain?

• 3

  Look at when the stomach pains occur. When a stomach pain occurs more often on an empty stomach, flares up in the evening and is relieved by certain foods or antacids, this could be an indication that you're suffering from an ulcer.

• 4

  Think about anything that might have prompted the stomach pains. When stomach pain occurs soon after eating and is accompanied by heartburn and even chest pains, this could be an indication that you have gastroesophageal disease, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome or simply indigestion.

• 5

  Bear in mind the actual location of the pain. When stomach pains occur in the upper right abdomen and are accompanied by indigestion, fever and nausea, this could be a sign that you have gallstones or are suffering a gallbladder attack. If this pain is more of a burning sensation across the upper abdomen and accompanied by nausea, vomiting, bloating and weight loss, it could be a sign of gastritis, which is an inflammation and irritation of the stomach lining.

• 6

  Think back on your bowel movements. When stomach pain occurs and you haven't passed stool, the pain could simply be a signal that you're suffering from constipation.

• 7

  Take into account any "questionable" foods you've eaten. Suffering from stomach pains and cramps with nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and fatigue can be a warning that you've got food poisoning, contracted E. coli or have an intolerance for a certain food product.

• 8

  Talk to your doctor. Of course, the easiest and safest way to diagnose your stomach pains is to talk to a medical professional. He will be able to properly and effectively diagnose the cause of your stomach pains.