Abdominal pain, commonly known as stomach pain or stomach ache, is pain or discomfort felt anywhere between the chest and pelvic region.
Abdominal pain can develop suddenly or gradually. It may be mild, moderate, or severe and can occur for a short period or continue for a longer time. Some people experience pain in one specific area, while others may feel discomfort throughout the abdomen.
The pain may feel:
Crampy Aching
Burning
Dull
Sharp
Stabbing
Pressure-like
Abdominal pain can have many different causes. Common causes include gas, indigestion, constipation, diarrhoea, and gastroenteritis. However, abdominal pain can also occur with conditions such as appendicitis, gallstones, kidney stones, intestinal disorders, and other medical conditions.
The location, severity, duration, and nature of the pain, along with other symptoms, can help a healthcare professional determine its possible cause.
Abdominal pain may occur alone or together with other symptoms.
Common symptoms may include:
Bloating
Gas
Belching
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Constipation
Loss of appetite
Heartburn
Abdominal swelling
Changes in bowel movements
Pain or burning during urination
Fever or chills
Pelvic pain
Menstrual pain
Blood in the stool
Blood in vomit
Unexplained weight loss
The presence of additional symptoms can be important when evaluating the possible cause of abdominal pain.
The location of abdominal pain may provide clues about its possible cause. However, the location of pain alone cannot confirm a diagnosis.
Pain in the upper abdomen may occur with conditions such as:
Indigestion
Acid reflux
Gastritis
Peptic ulcers
Gallbladder conditions
Certain pancreatic conditions
Lower abdominal pain may occur with:
Constipation
Irritable bowel syndrome
Appendicitis
Urinary conditions
Diverticular disease
Menstrual cramps
Other pelvic or reproductive-system conditions
Right-sided abdominal pain may occur with:
Appendicitis
Gallbladder conditions
Kidney stones
Liver-related conditions
Intestinal disorders
Left-sided abdominal pain may occur with:
Gas
Constipation
Diverticular disease
Kidney stones
Intestinal disorders
Because several different conditions can cause pain in the same area, medical evaluation may be necessary.
Abdominal pain has many possible causes. Some are temporary and relatively mild, while others may require medical evaluation or treatment.
Gas in the digestive tract can cause bloating, pressure, cramping, and abdominal discomfort. Certain foods, eating habits, and digestive conditions may contribute to increased gas.
Indigestion, also called dyspepsia, may cause discomfort or burning in the upper abdomen. It can also be associated with fullness, bloating, belching, or nausea.
Constipation can cause abdominal discomfort, cramping, bloating, and a feeling of fullness. It may occur when bowel movements become less frequent or difficult to pass.
Diarrhoea can cause abdominal cramps and discomfort along with frequent loose or watery stools. It may result from infections, food-related illnesses, medications, or other digestive conditions.
Gastroenteritis involves inflammation of the stomach and intestines. It is commonly associated with infections and may cause abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes fever.
Food poisoning can occur after consuming contaminated food or water. Depending on the cause, symptoms may include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and fever.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach contents repeatedly flow back into the oesophagus. It commonly causes heartburn and may also be associated with upper abdominal discomfort.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal disorder associated with recurrent abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits. Some people experience constipation, diarrhoea, or alternating bowel patterns.
Lactose intolerance occurs when the body has difficulty digesting lactose, a sugar found in milk and other dairy products. Symptoms may include bloating, gas, abdominal cramps, and diarrhoea after consuming lactose-containing foods.
Abdominal pain may also occur with:
Appendicitis
Gallstones
Kidney stones
Kidney infection
Hernia
Crohn’s disease
Diverticulitis
Peptic ulcers
Intestinal obstruction
Urinary conditions
Abdominal infections
Inflammatory conditions
Certain cancers or abnormal growths
Having abdominal pain does not necessarily mean that a serious disease is present. A healthcare professional can assess the symptoms and determine whether further evaluation is needed.
Abdominal or pelvic pain in women may sometimes be associated with conditions affecting the reproductive system.
Possible causes include:
Menstrual cramps
Endometriosis
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Ovarian cysts
Ectopic pregnancy
Other gynaecological conditions
Abdominal or pelvic pain during pregnancy should be discussed with a healthcare professional. Severe pain, vaginal bleeding, dizziness, fainting, or other concerning symptoms during pregnancy require prompt medical assessment.
Some causes of abdominal pain require urgent medical evaluation.
Appendicitis occurs when the appendix becomes inflamed. Pain may initially occur around the belly button and later become more noticeable in the lower-right abdomen. Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and fever may also occur.
Gallstones are hardened deposits that can form in the gallbladder. If a gallstone blocks a bile duct, it may cause significant abdominal pain, often in the upper-right or upper-middle abdomen.
Kidney stones can cause severe pain in the side or back that may spread toward the lower abdomen or groin. Blood in the urine, nausea, vomiting, or urinary symptoms may also occur.
An intestinal obstruction prevents the normal movement of food, fluids, gas, or stool through the intestine. Symptoms may include abdominal pain or cramping, vomiting, abdominal swelling, and difficulty passing stool or gas.
An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an enlargement or weakening of part of the abdominal aorta. If an aneurysm ruptures, it can cause sudden severe abdominal or back pain and may be life-threatening.
Consider consulting a healthcare professional if abdominal pain:
Does not improve or repeatedly returns
Becomes progressively worse
Interferes with normal daily activities
Is associated with unexplained weight loss
Occurs with persistent diarrhoea or constipation
Is accompanied by repeated vomiting
Occurs with fever
Is associated with significant changes in bowel habits
Occurs with urinary symptoms
Develops during pregnancy
A doctor can assess your symptoms and determine whether further tests or specialist evaluation are necessary.
Seek urgent medical attention for sudden or severe abdominal pain, particularly when it occurs with:
Fainting or severe dizziness
Difficulty breathing
Chest pain
Persistent or severe vomiting
Vomiting blood
Blood in the stool
Black or tarry stools
A swollen or extremely tender abdomen
High fever
Severe weakness or confusion
Inability to pass stool or gas
Severe abdominal pain following an injury
Do not assume that severe or rapidly worsening abdominal pain is simply gas or indigestion.
A healthcare professional will usually ask about the pain and other symptoms and may perform a physical examination.
Questions may include:
When did the pain begin?
Where is the pain located?
Is it constant or intermittent?
What does the pain feel like?
Does the pain move to another area?
Does eating make it better or worse?
Have your bowel movements changed?
Are you experiencing nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, or fever?
Do you have urinary symptoms?
Are you taking any medicines?
Have you had previous illnesses or abdominal surgery?
Depending on the symptoms and suspected cause, a healthcare professional may recommend tests such as:
Blood tests
Urine tests
Stool tests
Pregnancy testing when appropriate
Abdominal ultrasound
X-ray
CT scan
MRI
Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
Colonoscopy
Not everyone with abdominal pain needs diagnostic tests. The appropriate evaluation depends on the person’s symptoms, medical history, and clinical examination.
There is no single treatment for abdominal pain because treatment depends on its underlying cause.
A healthcare professional may recommend appropriate management after assessing the symptoms and determining the possible cause. Depending on the condition, management may involve dietary or lifestyle measures, prescription or non-prescription medicines, or other medical procedures.
Some conditions may require urgent medical treatment or surgery.
Do not take antibiotics or other prescription medicines without appropriate medical advice. Persistent, severe, recurrent, or unexplained abdominal pain should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional rather than repeatedly treated without determining its cause.
Not all causes of abdominal pain can be prevented. However, some healthy habits may help reduce the risk of certain digestive problems.
Eat a balanced diet.
Drink adequate water.
Eat meals at regular intervals.
Avoid overeating.
Identify foods that consistently trigger digestive symptoms.
Follow good food-safety practices.
Wash your hands regularly.
Exercise regularly.
Maintain a healthy body weight.
Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
Avoid smoking.
Take medicines only as directed.
Get adequate sleep.
Manage stress.
People with a diagnosed digestive condition should follow the recommendations provided by their healthcare professional.
A Gastroenterologist specializes in diseases of the digestive system and may evaluate persistent, recurrent, or unexplained abdominal pain.
Depending on the suspected cause, a patient may also need evaluation by:
General Physician
Gastroenterologist
General Surgeon
Urologist
Gynaecologist
If the cause is unclear, a general physician or primary-care doctor can provide an initial assessment and determine whether specialist evaluation is appropriate.
Abdominal pain is pain or discomfort felt anywhere between the chest and pelvic region. It can have many causes, including digestive problems, infections, inflammation, urinary conditions, and reproductive-system conditions.
Common causes include gas, indigestion, constipation, diarrhoea, acid reflux, gastroenteritis, food poisoning, and irritable bowel syndrome. Other causes include appendicitis, gallstones, kidney stones, and intestinal disorders.
Seek medical attention if abdominal pain is severe, persistent, worsening, or accompanied by symptoms such as repeated vomiting, fever, blood in vomit or stool, fainting, severe weakness, difficulty breathing, or significant abdominal swelling.
Yes. Gas can cause bloating, pressure, cramping, and abdominal discomfort. However, severe, persistent, or worsening pain should not automatically be assumed to be caused by gas.
Yes. Constipation can cause abdominal discomfort, cramping, bloating, and a feeling of fullness. Persistent constipation or abdominal pain should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
Yes. Appendicitis commonly causes abdominal pain that may begin around the belly button and later become more prominent in the lower-right abdomen. Fever, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite can also occur.
Yes. Kidney stones can cause severe pain in the side or back that may spread toward the lower abdomen or groin. Blood in the urine, nausea, and urinary symptoms may also occur.
A gastroenterologist can evaluate abdominal pain when a digestive-system condition is suspected. A general physician can also provide an initial assessment and refer the patient to an appropriate specialist when necessary.
Yes. Abdominal or pelvic discomfort can occur during pregnancy for various reasons. Severe or persistent pain, particularly when accompanied by bleeding, dizziness, fainting, or other concerning symptoms, should be assessed promptly by a healthcare professional.References and Further Reading For additional information about abdominal pain and related digestive conditions, readers may consult reputable medical and public-health resources:
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Medical conditions can affect individuals differently, and information presented on this website may not apply to your particular situation. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding symptoms, diagnosis, medicines, or treatment.Never delay seeking medical care because of information you have read on MyMediLand. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, seek urgent medical attention.
Written by: MyMediLand Editorial Team
