Many conditions can cause stomach or abdominal pain and burning. Stomach pain is a common health complaint and can have different qualities, depending on the condition. Stomach pain can be sharp, stabbing, dull or aching. In some cases, it may be associated with a burning sensation. Abdominal pain and burning can range from mild to severe. In severe cases, a person may be unable to perform customary activities of daily living.
Urinary Tract Infection
A urinary tract infection can cause abdominal pain and burning. A person's urinary tract includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Most urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria. Although any part of the urinary tract can become infected, the bladder and the urethra are most commonly affected. Possible signs and symptoms associated with a urinary tract infection include a burning pain when urinating, a persistent urge to urinate, an inability to void urine, urine leakage and cloudy, foul-smelling or bloody urine. Women get urinary tract infections more often than men because bacteria can reach the bladder more easily in women. This is because the urethra is shorter in women than men, so the bacteria have less distance to travel. Urinary tract infections may be avoided by urinating when the urge is felt and drinking sufficient amounts of water to flush bacteria from the system.
Gastric Ulcers
A gastric or stomach ulcer is a raw, eroded patch in the stomach's lining and can cause pain and burning. According to the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, each year about 500,000 new cases of ulcers are diagnosed in the United States. Among these new cases, approximately 16 percent are gastric ulcers. Gastric ulcers occur most often in males between 55 and 70 years of age. The most common cause of gastric ulcers is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDS, especially aspirin. Signs and symptoms associated with gastric ulcers include a burning pain in the upper abdomen, nausea, anorexia or loss of appetite, weight loss and gastrointestinal bleeding. Night pain is another common symptom of gastric ulcers. Certain lifestyle changes, including quitting smoking and avoiding caffeine, can prevent the recurrence of gastric ulcers.
Gastritis
MayoClinic.com states that gastritis defines a group of conditions that involve inflammation of the stomach lining, which causes pain and burning. Bacterial infection is the most common cause of gastritis. In fact, the same bacteria that cause gastritis--helicobacter pylori--also cause gastric or stomach ulcers. Other possible causes of gastritis include trauma, long-term use of certain pain relievers and consuming too much alcohol. There are two principle types of gastritis: acute and chronic. Although symptoms are mild for most people, in some cases gastritis can lead to serious health complications, such as ulcers and an elevated risk of stomach cancer. Common signs and symptoms associated with gastritis include a gnawing or burning pain in the upper abdomen, nausea, vomiting, anorexia or loss of appetite, belching or bloating, the sensation of abdominal fullness after eating and weight loss.
GERD
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, can cause abdominal pain and burning. GERD, also known as heartburn, occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter--the circular muscle that's located between the esophagus and the stomach--opens without cause or fails to close properly. If the lower esophageal sphincter remains open, stomach contents, including stomach acid, can flow into the esophagus and cause pain and damage to the esophageal tissues. Common signs and symptoms associated with GERD include burning pain behind the breastbone or sternum, along with a raspy cough, asthma symptoms and swallowing problems. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse website states that the exact cause of GERD is unknown, although certain factors may increase the likelihood of experiencing GERD, such as obesity, pregnancy and smoking.
