An occasional stomachache may be the price of eating too much or indulging in foods that are too rich. But as Dr. John Kraus with Paducah Gastroenterology Associates warns, repeated pain calls for a checkup. “By heeding your body’s signals and seeking prompt medical care, you are giving yourself the best chance for successful treatment,” says Dr. Kraus.

According to Dr. Kraus, a number of problems can cause the stomach to ache. Here are a few:

• Prolonged anxiety
• Food sensitivities or allergies
• Gallstones or other gallbladder problems
• Ulcers
• Inflammatory bowel diseases
• Bacteria or other “bugs”
• Some metabolic or blood disorders
• Reproductive problems

Dr. Kraus says that some occasional minor stomach pain may be treated by changing your diet or more effectively dealing with stress. Other stomach pain, however, may require more extensive treatment or surgical intervention. In all cases, he says, do not ignore your body’s signals or dismiss the pain as unimportant. “Sudden or severe pain, or pain that does not go away, should be checked right away by a doctor,” says Dr. Kraus.