stomach pain

Written by Sanan Malkadjian I was only 14 at the time. I would be ashamed of myself because of how often my stomach hurt. It came to a point where no one would believe the excruciating pain I was facing. This was pain unlike no other. My doctors here in Michigan would blame one another. They told me it was my menstrual cycle, or I was stressing out too much, or even that I had too many bladder infections. Every single time, I was misdiagnosed.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which consists of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, can be a frustrating diagnosis to deal with. In general, there is no clear evidence that one trigger alone causes problems. Therefore, there is no particular food, diet or lifestyle that causes, prevents or cures IBD. "Some patients are more fortunate and can control their IBD through medication. Other patients experience flare-ups, meaning the lining of the intestine is inflamed and the absorption of nutrients in the body is disturbed. Identifying the cause of this disturbance takes time, patience and some homework," says Sebastian Strobel, M.D., Mayo Clinic Health System gastroenterologist. Keeping a food diary is a great way to manage flare-ups. Start with a low-fiber or liquid diet until the situation is resolved, and realize certain foods may make symptoms worse. In general, IBD patients should follow a healthy diet while keeping these tips in mind:

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Is it possible for children to have irritable bowel syndrome? My 9-year-old son often complains of stomach pain, but we can’t seem to find a cause or pattern. ANSWER: Although irritable bowel syndrome is possible in a 9-year-old, it is very rare. Stomach pain, on the other hand, is quite common in children that age. When stomach pain persists, it should be evaluated. If you have not already done so, make an appointment for your son to see his primary care provider. If necessary, that individual may recommend that he see a gastroenterologist who specializes in caring for children. Even if the exact source of stomach pain cannot be identified, there often are ways it can be effectively managed. Many children have stomach pain. Usually it is not a symptom of a larger medical problem, and the pain often goes away on its own. But when stomach pain in children lasts, it does become a concern, particularly when it continues to be a problem for three months or more.

Many people have stomach discomfort, stomach pain, feel full after eating and other troubles with meals. For some people, nothing seems to help. Researchers [...]