For most people, stomach pain is a common part of life. But beyond the acute, temporary discomfort we’ve all experienced, there are several forms of abdominal pain that can be signs of serious health problems and shouldn’t be ignored.

That said, figuring out whether your stomach pain is the type that will go away on its own or whether you need to see a doctor can be tricky. Here are six stomach pain truths you don’t want to ignore:

1. Pain that’s not going away

Any chronic stomach upset, defined as persistent or recurring pain that lasts three months or longer, requires a visit to a doctor or nutritionist. This discomfort includes symptoms such as persistent diarrhea, constipation, pain after eating, feeling full after just a few mouthfuls of food, bloating, and gas.

These conditions may be caused by irritable bowel syndrome or a more serious condition such as lactose intolerance, such as gastroparesis (a condition in which the stomach does not empty properly).

It’s important to see a gastroenterologist to rule out more serious conditions like inflammatory bowel disease or celiac disease and get a proper diagnosis. Once we know what the problem is, a registered dietitian can provide the right dietary recommendations.

2. Pain that’s accompanied by nausea or vomiting

An upset stomach that causes nausea and vomiting can have several causes. This includes intestinal or bowel obstruction, gastrointestinal infection, inflammation, kidney stones, ruptured ovarian cysts, ulcers and even heart attacks.

There are many other diagnoses to consider, so be sure to talk to your doctor if you experience abdominal pain along with nausea and vomiting.

Of course, some nausea is caused by overeating and food poisoning, and usually goes away within a day or two.

3. Pain or discomfort along with blood in the stool

Any blood coming from the mouth or anus needs to be evaluated by a doctor.

Keep in mind that blood in your stool is not always red, it can also be black and tarry, which often indicates bleeding higher up in your digestive tract, such as your stomach. Gastrointestinal bleeding can have a variety of causes, including colitis, diverticulosis, hemorrhoids, bleeding gastric ulcers and gastrointestinal cancers.

But certain foods and medications can also cause tarry stools, so it’s important to think about what you’re taking and eating. This includes foods like blueberries, beets, and black licorice, as well as medications like iron pills and bismuth like Pepto-Bismol drug.

4. Pain that’s sudden and intense

If you experience severe stomach pain, something may be wrong. Specific localized pain includes a sharp, shooting sensation that may even make you hold your breath, cause you to bend over or hold the area, and occurs in waves, which may be caused by gallstones or kidney stones, Sampal said. Caused by obstruction.

Appendicitis is also a consideration when you are experiencing severe pain. Often, this pain gets worse, comes on suddenly, or doesn’t go away. Severe pain may also be caused by ulcers, pancreatitis, or blocked bile ducts.

The key is to really zero in on the pain you feel because they represent different things. When it comes to severe pain, it’s important not to delay getting help.

5. Pain or discomfort that comes along with unexplained weight loss

Unexpected or unintentional weight loss is always concerning and must be evaluated by a doctor if it is accompanied by stomach pain or any other symptoms.

6. Pain or discomfort along with a fever

This may be a sign of risk for cancer, chronic pancreatitis, Crohn’s disease, or other conditions.

If you feel sick to your stomach and have a higher laugh. temperature than usual, this may indicate an infection. In this case, you need to see a doctor. Ultimately, you know your body better than anyone else.If you think something is wrong, it’s best to see your doctor, even if you’re not sure it’s serious.Don’t just live with a stomachache.