Sakit Perut: Punca Mengikut Lokasi (Kiri, Kanan, Bawah & Tengah)

Most cases of sakit perut (stomach ache) are not serious and go away within a few days; common causes are trapped wind, indigestion, constipation and stomach bugs. Where the pain is can hint at the cause: sudden pain in the lower right may be appendicitis, severe pain under the right ribs may be gallstones, lower left pain may be constipation or diverticular disease, and pain low in the tummy in women may be period pain, a urine infection, an ovarian cyst or, if you could be pregnant, an ectopic pregnancy. Location is only a clue, so do not self-diagnose. Call 999 if the pain is sudden or severe, your tummy hurts to touch, you vomit blood, your poo is black or bloody, or you cannot pee, poo or pass wind.

This guide maps stomach pain by location and links to our detailed guides for each condition.

When is sakit perut an emergency?

According to the NHS, call 999 or go to the emergency department if you have a stomach ache and:

• it came on very suddenly or is severe;
• it hurts when you touch your stomach;
• you are vomiting blood or your vomit looks like ground coffee;
• your poo is bloody, or black, sticky and extremely smelly;
• you cannot pee, or cannot poo or fart;
• you cannot breathe, or you have chest pain (see our guide to serangan jantung);
• you have diabetes and you are vomiting;
• someone has collapsed.

Do not drive yourself; ask someone to take you or call an ambulance.

What are the common causes of stomach ache?

Source: NHS, stomach ache. The NHS advises not to self-diagnose; see a doctor if you are unsure or worried.

Sakit perut mengikut lokasi: what the location of the pain may mean

The location of the pain is only a clue. Many conditions can cause pain in more than one place, and pain can move. Use this map to understand the possibilities, then see a doctor if you are worried.

Sakit perut sebelah kiri (left side)

Possible causes of pain on the left side include:

• Constipation and trapped wind: common causes of stomach ache that can be felt in different parts of the tummy; see our guide to sembelit.
• Diverticular disease: according to the NHS, it causes pain in the lower left side of the tummy (in a few people, the right side) that gets worse after eating and better after pooing or passing wind, with constipation, diarrhoea, bloating or blood in the poo. If it becomes infected (diverticulitis), the pain becomes severe and constant, often with a high temperature. Get urgent advice if there is blood or mucus in your poo, the pain is getting worse, or you have a fever.
• Kidney stones: pain usually starts in the side of the tummy or lower back and may spread to the groin; it can come and go and be very severe.
• Women: an ovarian cyst or ectopic pregnancy (see below).

Sakit perut sebelah kanan (right side)

• Appendicitis: according to the NHS, the pain usually starts in the middle of the tummy, around the belly button, then moves to the lower right side. It needs urgent treatment in hospital; see our guide to apendiks.
• Gallstones: according to the NHS, a gallstone blocking a bile duct can cause severe, constant pain in the middle of the tummy or just under the ribs on the right, lasting from 30 minutes to several hours, often with feeling or being sick. Call 999 if your skin or eyes turn yellow, you have a very high temperature, or the pain spreads to your back and you are being sick.
• Kidney stones on the right side can also cause pain in the side and back.
• Women: an ovarian cyst or ectopic pregnancy can cause one-sided pain (see below).

Sakit bawah perut (lower abdomen) and pain in women

Pain low in the tummy, below the belly button, has several causes, and some are specific to women:

• Period pain: cramps during your period; see our guide to senggugut.
• Urinary tract infection (UTI): according to the NHS, symptoms include lower tummy pain, pain or burning when peeing and needing to pee more often; see our guide to UTI symptoms.
• Ovarian cyst: according to the NHS, a cyst usually only causes symptoms if it bursts, is very large or twists, causing pelvic pain that ranges from a dull, heavy feeling to a sudden, severe, sharp pain; see our guide to cyst ovari.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): according to the NHS, it can cause pain in the lower tummy or pelvis, pain deep inside during sex, unusual periods, bleeding between periods or after sex, and unusual discharge.
• Ectopic pregnancy: when a pregnancy grows outside the womb. According to the NHS, symptoms usually start between the 4th and 12th week of pregnancy and can include a missed period, tummy pain low down on one side, vaginal bleeding or brown watery discharge, and pain in the tip of the shoulder. Get medical advice straight away if you have these symptoms and could be pregnant, even if you have not had a positive pregnancy test.

The NHS also advises urgent advice for a stomach ache if you are pregnant, or you have unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge.

Sakit perut bahagian tengah (middle and upper)

• Indigestion and gastritis: a burning pain in the upper middle tummy (ulu hati), feeling full and bloated after eating, heartburn; see our guide to gastrik and pedih ulu hati.
• Gallstones can also cause pain in the middle of the tummy.
• Early appendicitis often starts around the belly button.
• A heart attack can feel like indigestion, with a burning feeling in the chest. If upper tummy or chest pain comes with breathlessness, sweating or pain spreading to the arm, neck or jaw, call 999; see serangan jantung.

A lump in the groin or near the belly button that gets bigger when you cough may be a hernia.

Sakit perut memulas: cramping pain

Memulas describes cramping or twisting pain. According to the NHS stomach ache guidance:

• cramps with watery poo, feeling sick or vomiting point to a stomach bug or food poisoning (see cirit birit);
• ongoing cramps with bloating, diarrhoea or constipation can be irritable bowel syndrome (IBS);
• cramps during your period are usually period pain.

Get urgent advice if diarrhoea does not go away after a few days.

Ubat sakit perut: what can help?

There is no single ubat sakit perut, because the right treatment depends on the cause. According to the NHS, a pharmacist can help with:

• what might be causing your stomach ache;
• treatments that might help;
• medicines for constipation and indigestion.

For a stomach bug, the main aim is to drink enough fluids; see our guide to cirit birit. For children, ask a pharmacist or doctor before giving any medicine. If the pain is severe or comes with any of the warning signs, get medical help rather than treating it yourself.

When should you see a doctor?

According to the NHS, get an urgent appointment with a doctor (at a klinik kesihatan or a GP) if you have a stomach ache and:

• it gets much worse, does not go away, or keeps coming back;
• you have bloating that does not go away or keeps coming back;
• you have problems swallowing food;
• you are pregnant;
• you are losing weight without trying;
• you suddenly pee more or less often, or peeing is suddenly painful;
• you bleed from your bottom, or have unusual bleeding or discharge from your vagina;
• you have diarrhoea that does not go away after a few days.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What causes sakit perut (stomach ache)?

According to the NHS, most stomach aches are not serious and go away after a few days. Common causes are trapped wind, indigestion, constipation, and a stomach bug or food poisoning. Less common causes include period pain, appendicitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), kidney stones and gallstones.

What causes pain on the left side of the stomach (sakit perut sebelah kiri)?

Pain in the lower left side can be caused by diverticular disease, which the NHS says usually causes pain in the lower left side; common causes such as constipation and trapped wind can also be felt there. In women, an ovarian cyst or, if you could be pregnant, an ectopic pregnancy can cause pain low down on one side. Kidney stones can cause pain in the side that spreads to the groin.

What causes pain on the right side of the stomach (sakit perut sebelah kanan)?

Sudden pain in the lower right side can be appendicitis, which usually starts in the middle of the tummy and moves to the lower right; it needs urgent treatment. Severe pain just under the ribs on the right that lasts for hours can be gallstones. In women, an ovarian cyst or ectopic pregnancy can also cause one-sided pain.

What causes lower abdominal pain in women (sakit bawah perut wanita)?

Common causes are period pain and urinary tract infections. Other causes include an ovarian cyst, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and, if you could be pregnant, an ectopic pregnancy, which needs urgent medical help. See a doctor if the pain is new, severe or comes with unusual bleeding or discharge.

What is the best medicine for stomach ache (ubat sakit perut)?

There is no single best medicine, because the right treatment depends on the cause. A pharmacist can help work out what might be causing your stomach ache and suggest treatments, such as medicines for indigestion or constipation. If the pain is severe, keeps coming back or comes with warning signs, see a doctor instead of self-treating.

When is a stomach ache an emergency?

Call 999 or go to the emergency department if the pain came on suddenly or is severe, it hurts to touch your tummy, you vomit blood or something like coffee grounds, your poo is bloody or black and sticky, you cannot pee, poo or fart, you have chest pain or difficulty breathing, or you have diabetes and are vomiting.

What does sakit perut memulas (cramping stomach pain) mean?

Cramping pain is often caused by a stomach bug or food poisoning, especially with watery poo and vomiting. Ongoing cramps with bloating, diarrhoea or constipation can be irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and cramps during your period are usually period pain. See a doctor if it does not go away or keeps coming back.

Disclaimer

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor. The location of pain is only a guide; do not self-diagnose. Health supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

References

• Stomach ache — NHS
• Appendicitis — NHS
• Gallstones — NHS
• Diverticular disease and diverticulitis — NHS
• Kidney stones — NHS
• Ovarian cyst — NHS
• Ectopic pregnancy — NHS
• Pelvic inflammatory disease — NHS
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs) — NHS