Most people will experience some type of stomach pain in their lifetime.

Stomach pain, which is typically referred to as abdominal pain by doctors, can occur anywhere from the chest down to the groin. It can be a sharp pain that shoots up your abdomen or a dull ache that throbs in one spot. Abdominal pain can be caused by something as benign as gas or constipation to more severe conditions like inflammation in the colon and stomach ulcers.

The good news is that, most of the time, abdominal pain is no big deal. Even if youre dealing with a more chronic condition, like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or a food intolerance, symptoms can typically be significantly improved with some dietary and lifestyle changes.

Most of abdominal pain is caused by non-life-threatening benign issues, and most of them self resolve, Badr Al Bawardy , a Yale Medicine gastroenterologist, told HuffPost.

Here are the most common types of stomach pain:

Stomach Pain From What Or How You Eat

Certain foods, such as high-fiber fruits and foods rich in carbohydrates , can be difficult for some people to digest and lead to gas and bloating. Overeating and eating too quickly can also lead to indigestion and discomfort.

Routinely taking certain medications, like aspirin or ibuprofen, can also cause inflammation in the stomach that may cause pain, said Dr. Lisa Ganjhu , a clinical associate professor of medicine in the divisions of gastroenterology and hepatology at NYU Langone Medical Center.

Constipation

Constipation , or infrequent bowel movements, is one of the leading causes of abdominal discomfort. Its caused by a range of health issues, including medications, a lack of exercise, diet and changes in lifestyle. Being constipated doesnt necessarily mean that youre dealing with some sort of underlying condition, but nonetheless, it can be painful to deal with.

If they notice that they have pain and they havent emptied their bowels in a while or have incomplete bowels, then they need to either take a laxative or an enema to unplug, Ganjhu said.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

IBS is one of the most common causes of abdominal pain and impacts 10 to 15% of the population. To get an IBS diagnosis, patients need abdominal pain, irregular bowel habits (like diarrhea or constipation) and pain that either improves or worsens with bowel movements, Al Bawardy explained.

IBS pain can be mild or severe and include anything from stomach cramping to swelling the stomach and excessive gas. With IBS , the colon muscle contracts too frequently and triggers cramps and pain, typically in the lower half of the abdomen.

IBS can be managed by changing what you eat and drink , regularly exercising and getting enough sleep. Certain medications , like fiber supplements, laxatives and pain medications, can alleviate symptoms, too.