Any new pain that does not go away after a few days, or two weeks at most, should be assessed. Disease in any of the abdominal organs can cause pain (e.g. gall bladder, stomach, liver, bowel, even kidneys), and at London Digestion we will keep an open mind as to possible causes.

The common reasons are stomach inflammation or ulcers, gallstones and bowel irritability, but more worrying diagnoses such as cancer may need to be ruled out with a scan. Many patients will be advised to undergo endoscopy (internal camera test) into the stomach, bowel, or both, depending on the precise site and nature of the pain.