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Published on: 4/7/2025

What Could Cause Upper Stomach Pain with Diarrhea?

Upper stomach pain with diarrhea is most often caused by an infection in your gut, such as gastroenteritis, or can be related to inflammation in the stomach and intestines.

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Explanation

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 consult a healthcare provider if the pain and diarrhea last too long or worsen.

(References)

  • Sherman R. Abdominal Pain. In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, editors. Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd edition. Boston: Butterworths; 1990. Chapter 86. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK412/

  • Nemeth V, Pfleghaar N. Diarrhea. [Updated 2022 Nov 21]. In: StatPearls [Internet].

  • Patterson JW, Kashyap S, Dominique E. Acute Abdomen. [Updated 2023 Jul 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet].

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