Digestive and Gut Health

This can cause a burning feeling in the chest, an unpleasant sour taste, burping, bloating or discomfort after eating. It is very common, and often happens after a large or rich meal, when bending over or when lying down.

We have a separate, more detailed page covering symptoms, possible triggers, pharmacy help, when to see a GP and the warning signs that need medical attention.

Stomach pain has many possible causes, from trapped wind or a stomach bug to conditions that need treating quickly.

The location and severity of pain do not provide a reliable diagnosis without a medical assessment. Pain that feels mild can still matter, and pain that feels severe is not always serious. Please do not try to work out the cause yourself.

• Short-lived pain with no other symptoms often settles on its own.
• Contact a GP about pain that keeps coming back or lasts more than a few days.
• Sudden severe stomach ache, a swollen or very painful stomach, or being unable to poo or pass wind needs urgent help — see the panel above.

Bloating and trapped wind can cause:

• Feeling unusually full
• A swollen or stretched tummy
• Discomfort or cramping
• Rumbling or gurgling noises
• Passing more wind than usual
• Burping

It is often linked to food and drink, eating quickly, swallowing air, constipation, or conditions such as IBS or food intolerance. Bloating that comes and goes with meals is common.

Speak to a GP if bloating will not go away, keeps returning, or comes with weight loss, bleeding or a change in bowel habits. Persistent bloating in women should always be checked.

Constipation may involve:

• Difficulty passing poo
• Going to the toilet less often than usual
• Hard, dry or lumpy poo
• Straining
• Feeling that the bowel has not emptied completely
• Stomach ache, cramping or feeling bloated

It is very common, and can be linked to diet, fluid intake, activity levels, pregnancy, changes in routine, ignoring the urge to go, stress, or some medicines.

A pharmacist can advise on suitable treatment for short-term constipation. We do not give medicine doses. Contact a GP if constipation lasts, keeps returning, or there is bleeding, a lasting change in bowel habits, or unexplained weight loss. Constipation in a baby, young child or older person should be discussed with a health professional.

Possible causes include:

• A stomach infection, such as norovirus or another stomach bug
• Food poisoning
• Some medicines, including certain antibiotics
• Food intolerance
• Anxiety or stress
• Long-term conditions such as IBS, coeliac disease or an inflammatory bowel condition

Fluids matter most

• Drink plenty of fluids in small, frequent sips, even if being sick.
• Rest, and eat when you feel able to.
• A pharmacist can advise about oral rehydration sachets and what is suitable.
• Wash hands well with soap and water to avoid passing an infection on.
• Stay away from work, school or nursery until 48 hours after the last episode of diarrhoea or vomiting.

Possible signs of dehydration

• Feeling very thirsty, with a dry mouth or lips
• Dark yellow, strong-smelling urine, or passing urine much less often
• Feeling dizzy, light-headed or unusually tired
• In a baby or child: fewer wet nappies, few or no tears when crying, or unusual drowsiness

Get urgent advice if someone cannot keep fluids down, has signs of dehydration, has bloody diarrhoea, or is getting worse. Babies, young children, older people and anyone with a weakened immune system need advice sooner.

IBS is a common long-term condition affecting the digestive system. It can cause stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation. Symptoms often come and go, and can vary a great deal between people and over time.

New or unexplained symptoms should not automatically be assumed to be IBS. A GP will normally want to review the symptoms, and may arrange tests to rule out other conditions before IBS is considered.

• Keep a simple record of symptoms, food and drink, and anything that seems to help.
• A GP can discuss diet, medicines, stress and other approaches.
• Do not start a restrictive diet without proper advice — it can make testing harder.

Food intolerance is different from a food allergy. An intolerance usually causes digestive symptoms such as bloating, wind, stomach pain or diarrhoea some time after eating. A food allergy involves the immune system and can, in some cases, cause a life-threatening reaction.

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition, not an intolerance. In coeliac disease, eating gluten damages the lining of the small intestine.

• Coeliac disease should not be diagnosed by removing gluten without medical advice or appropriate testing. Cutting gluten out beforehand can make blood tests and other investigations unreliable.
• Speak to a GP first, and keep eating gluten until you have been advised otherwise.
• If you have a diagnosed food allergy or have ever had a severe reaction, follow the plan given to you by your allergy team.

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are the main inflammatory bowel conditions. Both involve inflammation of the digestive system and can cause diarrhoea, stomach pain, tiredness, weight loss and blood in poo.

These conditions are different from IBS. They involve visible inflammation and damage, they require medical assessment, and they are usually managed with ongoing specialist treatment and monitoring.

If someone has diarrhoea that will not settle, blood in their poo, unexplained weight loss or repeated stomach pain, they should see a GP rather than assume it is IBS.

Short introductions and trusted links. These are starting points only — none of them can tell you what is causing your own symptoms.

• Diverticular disease and diverticulitis — small pouches can form in the lining of the large bowel. Many people have no symptoms. If a pouch becomes infected or inflamed (diverticulitis) it can cause stomach pain, a high temperature and a change in bowel habits, and needs medical assessment. NHS information
• Stomach ulcers — a sore that develops on the lining of the stomach or small intestine, often linked to a bacterial infection or to anti-inflammatory painkillers. It can cause a burning or gnawing pain in the middle of the tummy. NHS information
• Haemorrhoids (piles) — swellings inside and around the bottom that can cause itching, discomfort and bleeding. They are common and often settle, but any bleeding from the bottom should be discussed with a GP rather than assumed to be piles. NHS information
• Gallstones and gallbladder problems — small stones can form in the gallbladder. They may cause no symptoms, or sudden severe pain in the upper right tummy, often after eating. Severe or repeated pain needs medical assessment. NHS information
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) — food or drink feeling stuck, coughing or choking while eating, or bringing food back up. This should always be checked by a GP. NHS information
• Pancreatitis — inflammation of the pancreas. Sudden, severe pain in the centre of the tummy that may spread to the back is a medical emergency. NHS information
• Changes in bowel habits — going more or less often than usual, looser or harder poo, or a change that lasts three weeks or more should be discussed with a GP, even if it seems minor. NHS information
• Blood in poo — bright red blood, dark or black poo, or blood mixed through poo always needs medical advice. Do not wait to see whether it happens again. NHS information

We do not provide a diagnosis based on symptoms. Only a qualified health professional who can examine someone and arrange any tests needed can do that.