What could cause upper stomach pain with diarrhea?

When you have pain in the upper part of your stomach along with diarrhea, it is likely that your digestive system is reacting to an irritant or infection.

One common reason for these symptoms is acute gastroenteritis, which is usually due to a virus or bacteria. This infection can make your stomach hurt and cause you to have diarrhea as your body tries to flush out the germs.

In some situations, such an infection can also lead to inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis), which can add to the pain. Food poisoning from contaminated food or water is another possibility that might trigger both abdominal pain and loose stools. These conditions often come on quickly and can be accompanied by other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or even a fever as your body fights off the infection.

Since these symptoms can be uncomfortable and sometimes lead to dehydration, it is important to drink plenty of fluids and use a free symptom checker to better understand what might be causing your discomfort and whether you should seek medical attention if the pain and diarrhea last too long or worsen.