ELI5: why does my stomach hurt

Your stomach hurts because something inside isn't happy, like a grumpy tummy!

Imagine your tummy is a little washing machine. It takes all the food you eat and mixes it up with special juices to break it down so your body can use it for energy. Sometimes, things can go wrong and make your tummy grumpy, causing it to hurt.

Here are some reasons why your tummy might be grumpy:

• You ate too much! Think of it like stuffing too many clothes into the washing machine. It can't wash properly and gets overloaded. Your tummy feels stretched and uncomfortable.
• You ate something that didn't agree with you. Some foods are like putting the wrong kind of soap in the washing machine – it makes a mess! Maybe you ate something too spicy, too greasy, or that your body doesn't like (like if you're allergic to it).
• You have a tummy bug! This is like having a tiny, annoying gremlin in your washing machine messing everything up. Germs can get into your tummy and cause it to feel sick, maybe with cramps or even making you throw up.
• You're feeling stressed or worried. Your brain and tummy are connected! When you're feeling upset, your brain can tell your tummy to feel upset too, like a sympathetic friend feeling your pain.
• You need to go to the bathroom! Sometimes, your tummy hurts simply because it's full of poop that needs to come out.