Abdominal pain can be caused by a wide variety of conditions ― infections, food poisoning, ulcers, or some cancers.

Abdominal pain, or stomach aches, and dizziness often go hand in hand. In order to find the cause of these symptoms, it’s important to know which one came first.

Pain around your stomach area can be localized or felt all over, affecting other areas of the body. Many times, dizziness comes after abdominal pain as a secondary symptom.

Dizziness is a range of feelings that make you feel unbalanced or unsteady. Read about the causes of dizziness here, if that’s your primary symptom.

Abdominal pain can be:

  • sharp
  • dull
  • gnawing
  • ongoing
  • on and off
  • burning
  • cramp-like
  • episodic, or periodic
  • consistent

Severe pain of any type can make you feel lightheaded or dizzy. Stomach aches and dizziness often go away without treatment. You may feel better after getting some rest. Either sit or lie down and see if you notice a difference.

But if your abdominal pain and dizziness also accompany other symptoms, such as changes in vision and bleeding, it can be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

Make an appointment with your doctor if your symptoms are caused by an injury, interfere with your day-to-day activities, or are getting progressively worse.

In rare cases, chest pain can mimic abdominal pain. The pain moves to your upper stomach area even though it starts in the chest.

Call a doctor immediately if you feel:

  • an abnormal heartbeat
  • lightheadedness
  • chest pains
  • shortness of breath
  • pain or pressure in your shoulder, neck, arms, back, teeth, or jaw
  • sweaty and clammy skin
  • nausea and vomiting

These are symptoms of a heart attack and require immediate medical attention.

Postprandial hypotension

If you feel abdominal pain and dizziness after eating, it may be because your blood pressure hasn’t stabilized. This sudden drop in blood pressure after a meal is called postprandial hypotension.

Normally, when you eat, blood flow increases to your stomach and small intestine. Your heart also beats faster to maintain blood flow and pressure in the rest of your body. In postprandial hypotension, your blood decreases everywhere but the digestive system. This imbalance can cause:

  • dizziness
  • stomach pains
  • chest pains
  • nausea
  • blurred vision

This condition is more common in older adults and people with damaged nerve receptors or blood pressure sensors. These damaged receptors and sensors affect how other parts of your body react during digestion.

Gastric ulcers

A gastric ulcer is an open sore in the lining of your stomach. Stomach pain often occurs within a few hours of eating. Other symptoms that normally accompany gastric ulcers include:

  • mild nausea
  • feeling full
  • pain in the upper abdomen
  • blood in stools or urine
  • chest pains

Most stomach ulcers go unnoticed until a serious complication, such as bleeding, occurs. This can lead to stomach pains and dizziness from blood loss.

Always seek immediate medical attention for any pain that lasts seven to 10 days or becomes so problematic that it interferes with your day-to-day activities. You can connect to a physician in your area using the Healthline FindCare tool.

See a doctor if you’re experiencing abdominal pain and dizziness along with:

  • changes in vision
  • chest pain
  • a high fever
  • neck stiffness
  • severe headache
  • loss of consciousness
  • pain in your shoulder or neck
  • severe pelvic pain
  • shortness of breath
  • uncontrolled vomiting or diarrhea
  • vaginal pain and bleeding
  • weakness
  • blood in your urine or stool

Make an appointment with your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms for more than 24 hours:

  • acid reflux
  • blood in your urine
  • headache
  • heartburn
  • itchy, blistery rash
  • painful urination
  • unexplained fatigue
  • worsening symptoms

This information is only a summary of emergency symptoms. Call 911 or contact your doctor if you think you’re experiencing a medical emergency.

Your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask about your medical history to help make a diagnosis. Explaining your symptoms in detail will help your doctor determine the cause.

For example, upper abdominal pain may be a sign of a peptic ulcer, pancreatitis, or gallbladder disease. Lower right abdominal pain can be a sign of kidney stones, appendicitis, or ovarian cysts.

Be mindful of the severity of your dizziness. It’s important to note that lightheadedness feels like you’re about to faint, whereas vertigo is the sensation that your environment is moving.

Experiencing vertigo is more likely to be an issue with your sensory system. It’s usually an inner ear disorder rather than a result of poor blood circulation.

Treatments for abdominal pain and dizziness vary depending on the primary symptom and underlying cause. For example, a gastric ulcer may require medicine or surgery. Your doctor can recommend a specific treatment course to treat the condition.

In some cases, abdominal pain and dizziness resolves without treatment. This is common for food poisoning, stomach flu, and motion sickness.

Try to drink lots of fluids if vomiting and diarrhea accompany your stomach pains. Lying or sitting down can help as you wait for symptoms to improve. You can also take medication to reduce stomach pains and dizziness.

Tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine are linked to abdominal pain and dizziness. Avoiding excess consumption can help lessen these symptoms.

Drinking water during intense exercise can also help reduce stomach cramps and dehydration. It’s recommended to drink at least 4 ounces of water every 15 minutes when you are in the heat or exercising.

Be careful not to over-exercise to the point of vomiting, losing consciousness, or injuring yourself.