Why does gastritis cause abdominal pain?

The stomach lining normally forms a protective barrier. When it is inflamed, normal digestive activity can feel uncomfortable, producing burning, gnawing, pressure or tenderness in the upper abdomen. Abdominal Pain is a very common presentation of Gastritis. The sensation may be worse on an empty stomach, after a meal, or after alcohol or anti-inflammatory pain medicines, depending on the cause.

Similar pain can come from other digestive organs or from problems outside the stomach. A diagnosis therefore depends on the location and pattern of pain, your medical history and an examination, with testing when appropriate.

Book a medical review when upper abdominal pain is recurrent, lasts, or interrupts eating or sleep. Bring a list of medicines and supplements, including anti-inflammatory pain medicines, aspirin and any acid-reducing medicines. Describe whether pain changes with meals, nausea, vomiting, bloating, black stools or weight change.

Avoid alcohol and do not start or stop prescribed medicine without discussing it with a clinician. Smaller, less irritating meals may be easier while you arrange care, but they do not replace assessment of ongoing pain.

Seek urgent medical care for vomiting blood, black tar-like stools, sudden severe abdominal pain, fainting, marked weakness, repeated vomiting or trouble swallowing. These symptoms can signal bleeding or another problem needing prompt evaluation.

Ask what may be irritating your stomach lining, whether any medicines could contribute, and whether testing for infection or a camera examination of the stomach is needed. Ask how long to use any recommended treatment and which changes should prompt earlier review.