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In some cases, they may indicate a more serious condition. This article will examine the many causes of stomach pain and dizziness and briefly outline the symptoms and treatments for each condition. Causes of stomach pain and dizziness Share on PinterestFG Trade/Getty ImagesStomach pain and dizziness can have the following causes: Hangovers People experience hangovers as a result of drinking a lot of alcohol. Some common hangover symptoms include:fatiguethirsta headachenausea or vomitingsweatingstomach painvertigo, or dizzinesssensitivity to light and sound Treatment involves drinking plenty of fluids and getting some rest. Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help reduce headaches. Most people with hangovers feel better after 24 hours or more. Learn about hangover cures here. Dehydration A lack of fluids in the body can cause dehydration. The symptoms of dehydration include:thirstdry mouth or lipsdark urineless frequent urinationdizzinessfatigue Treatment for mild dehydration involves drinking fluids, electrolyte replacements, or oral rehydration solutions. If someone has severe symptoms of dehydration — such as confusion, lethargy, or loss of consciousness — they need emergency help. Stomach flu Stomach flu is the common name for gastroenteritis, an infection in the intestines. Gastroenteritis can develop due to viruses, bacteria, or parasites. One of the most common causes of gastroenteritis is norovirus. Norovirus is highly contagious. The symptoms include:nauseavomiting and diarrheastomach painfevera headachebody aches Vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration, which leads to dizziness and lightheadedness. Eating contaminated food may also lead to food poisoning, which causes very similar symptoms. Norovirus typically improves within 1–3 days. Staying hydrated can prevent dehydration. However, if a person struggles to keep fluids down or does not get better, they should see a doctor. Menstruation A person may feel dizzy if they bleed heavily during their period. “Menorrhagia” is the term for heavy menstrual bleeding. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) note that if a person has to change their tampon or pad after less than 2 hours or passes clots the size of a quarter or bigger, they have heavy menstrual bleeding and should talk with a doctor. Some females with menorrhagia also experience constant pain in the lower part of the abdomen during their periods. Learn more about dizziness and lightheadedness during menstruation here. Menopause Females going through menopause may experience dizziness and other related symptoms, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, heart palpitations, or feeling out of control. Abdominal pain is common in females going through menopause. According to a 2019 article, abdominal pain decreases as females get older and transition to postmenopause. Typically, menopause occurs between the ages of 45 and 58. Anxiety disorders Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress. In some cases, it helps people respond to danger. However, people with anxiety disorders feel anxiety in situations that are not truly dangerous, such as social gatherings. Anxiety can cause a range of physical symptoms, including but not limited to:sweatinga rapid heartbeatnauseaabdominal paindizzinessmuscle tension Anxiety treatments include talk therapy and stress management techniques such as mindfulness. Medications can also help reduce the symptoms of anxiety. Learn more about anxiety here. Dumping syndrome Dumping syndrome occurs when food in the stomach empties into the small intestine too quickly. It is a common side effect of gastrectomy, which is a surgical procedure that removes all or part of the stomach. Some symptoms of the condition include:stomach crampsdiarrhea nauseadizzinessweaknesscold sweats A person can manage dumping syndrome by making certain dietary changes and, sometimes, by taking medications that slow stomach emptying. In rare cases, doctors will recommend surgery as a last resort. Acute pancreatitis Acute pancreatitis occurs due to sudden inflammation of the pancreas. This could be due to gallstones, alcohol misuse, infections, or certain genetic disorders. The symptoms include:pain in the upper abdomen that may spread to the backfevernausea or vomitinga fast heartbeata swollen or tender abdomen If a person with pancreatitis becomes dehydrated, they may also feel dizzy. People with pancreatitis need medical treatment right away. Typically, acute pancreatitis will improve after several days of treatment. However, some people may develop more severe symptoms that require a hospital stay. Learn more about acute pancreatitis here. Gastrointestinal bleeding Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a serious condition with various potential causes, including peptic ulcers. Symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding include:tarry or bloody stoolsbloody vomit, or vomit that looks similar to coffee groundsabdominal crampingdizziness fatigueweakness People who are experiencing GI bleeding should see a doctor. If the bleeding is sudden, it is an emergency. Learn more about GI bleeding here. Heart attack Some people have stomach pain when they are experiencing a heart attack. In this case, the pain may travel from the chest to the upper stomach region. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), women are more likely than men to experience symptoms other than chest pain during a heart attack. Someone should call the emergency services immediately if a person experiences:a sensation of pressure, squeezing, or fullness in the center of the chestpain in the chest, one or both arms, neck, jaw, or stomachshortness of breathcold sweatsnausea or vomitinglightheadedness Learn more about heart attack here. Rare causesCancer: Some forms of cancer may cause dizziness, stomach pain, or both. People with lymphoma, for example, may experience dizziness and pain behind the ribs.Acute adrenal insufficiency: This occurs when the adrenal glands stop working, causing a shortage of cortisol. Symptoms include fatigue, low blood pressure, dizziness, and muscle spasms in the legs or back.Toxic megacolon: This condition causes the large intestine to dilate. It is a complication of infectious colitis, which may occur due to inflammatory bowel disease or infection. Symptoms include fever, a fast heart rate, dehydration, and an enlarged colon. These conditions can be very serious and require immediate treatment. How do I know if my stomach pain is serious Certain symptoms could indicate a serious cause of stomach pain. Anyone with persistent or severe stomach pain must see a doctor. A person should seek immediate medical help if they experience the following symptoms: sudden, severe abdominal pain that lasts 30 minutes or morefever persistent nausea or vomitingswollen and tender abdomenrapid pulse How long is too long for stomach pain If stomach pain lasts more than a few days or it is intermittent over several weeks, a person should schedule an appointment with a doctor. It can help to note down any other symptoms as they may help a doctor reach a diagnosis. If stomach pain happens suddenly, and the pain is severe for 30 minutes or more, a person should visit the emergency department or call 911. Diagnosis To diagnose the cause of stomach pain and dizziness, a doctor will perform a physical examination and take a person’s medical history. They may also request medical imaging or blood tests. Because there are so many potential causes of these symptoms, it is a good idea to describe the symptoms to the doctor in as much detail as possible. Home remedies If the cause of stomach pain and dizziness is not serious, a person can get symptom relief by trying some home remedies. For example, people can try:getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of fluidsapplying heat to the stomachtaking a warm bathavoiding foods and beverages that may irritate the stomach, such as coffee, alcohol, and spices It is worth noting that these remedies are not substitutes for medical treatment. Learn more about home remedies for stomach ache here. Summary Stomach pain and dizziness have a wide range of potential causes. Many, such as hangovers and mild dehydration, are treatable at home. Staying hydrated, resting, and using heat therapy can help ease symptoms. However, if a person experiences persistent or severe symptoms, they should seek advice from a doctor. Last medically reviewed on August 9, 2022Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal DrugsAnxiety / StressGastroIntestinal / GastroenterologyInfectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses 7 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Callan, N.G.L., et al. (2019). Abdominal pain during the menopause transition and early postmenopause: Observations from the Seattle Midlife Women's Health Study.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6679532/Going mad in menopause? Signs and solutions. (n.d.).https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopauseflashes/menopause-symptoms-and-treatments/going-mad-in-perimenopause-signs-and-solutionsHangovers. (2021).https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/hangoversHeart attack symptoms in women. (2015).https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/warning-signs-of-a-heart-attack/heart-attack-symptoms-in-womenThe symptoms of norovirus. (2021).https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/about/symptoms.htmlWhat are anxiety disorders? (2021).https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/anxiety-disorders/what-are-anxiety-disordersWhen to take stomach pain and other GI issues seriously. (n.d.).https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/what-is-ibd/symptomsFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Meredith Goodwin, MD, FAAFP — By Steph Coelho — Updated on August 9, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat can cause stomach pain and nausea?Medically reviewed by Saurabh Sethi, M.D., MPH Stomach pain and nausea often occur together and can affect both adults and children. Although these symptoms usually resolve within a few days, they…READ MOREWhat causes abdominal ('stomach') pain at night?Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M.D. Abdominal pain may worsen at night, and digestive problems are often responsible. 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