Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCommon CausesSerious CausesDiagnosisGetting ReliefSeeking Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Common Causes
Serious Causes
Diagnosis
Getting Relief
Seeking Medical Care
Abdominal (stomach) painis common, and most people experience it at some point in their lifetime. While abdominal pain typically stems from minor issues and resolves independently, certain red flags like intense, persistent pain may signal a serious condition.
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Common Causes of Abdominal Pain
Common causes of abdominal pain include digestive issues, viruses, appendicitis, gallbladder, and kidney problems.The location, onset, and duration of pain can help differentiate causes.
What Causes Abdominal Pain After Eating?
Inflammation-Related Causes
Inflammation-related causes of abdominal pain and accompanying characteristics include:
Female Reproductive Cycle-Related Causes
People with a uterus may havemenstrual cramps(achy pain that occurs due to period bleeding) orovulation pain(brief cramping on one side midway through the menstrual cycle). Other female reproductive conditions that can contribute to abdominal pain include:
What Are the More Serious Causes of Abdominal Pain?
When abdominal pain stems from a severe cause, the pain’s location may indicate a problem with an organ in that area. Healthcare providers look for clues about the cause of your pain based on four quadrants in your abdomen, each containing organs that correspond to specific abdominal symptoms.
What Causes Lower Abdominal Pain in Females?
Right Upper Quadrant
Right upperquadrantpainmay be due to problems with the following:
Hepatitis (liver inflammation), bile duct stones or strictures (narrowing), and cancers of the gallbladder, bile ducts, or liver might cause:
Gallstones orcholecystitis(gallbladder inflammation) may cause:
Duodenal ulcers (sores in the small intestine) can lead to burning pain between meals and at night. Large bowel (intestine) obstructions cause severe cramping, bloating, and the inability to pass gas or stool.
Left Upper Quadrant
Left upper quadrant pain may be due to problems with the following:
Lower Abdomen
Lower abdominal painmay be due to the following conditions and include additional symptoms:
Causes of Chronic Abdominal Pain
Other Causes of General Abdominal Pain
Causes of general abdominal pain may include:
How Is Abdominal Pain Diagnosed?
Abdominal pain diagnosis occurs through a medical history, physical exam, and tests. The provider may ask questions about your pain, including:
A healthcare provider may order additional diagnostic tests, such as blood, urine, stool tests, imaging, such as X-rays, a computed tomography (CT) scan, or ultrasound, and endoscopy (colonoscopy) if they cannot diagnose you based on your medical history and a physical exam.
How Do You Relieve Abdominal Pain?
While you may be able to treat mild abdominal pain at home, serious causes require immediate medical treatment like antibiotics or surgery.
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
Contact a healthcare provider promptly for these red flags that may indicate a serious condition:
Emergency SymptomsSeekemergency medical carefor the following symptoms:Abdominal pain while pregnant or if you may be pregnantA recent abdominal injuryA rigid bellyBloody stool(bright red, maroon, or tarry black stool)Bloody vomit(may look like coffee grounds)Chest, neck, or shoulder painDifficulty breathingShoulder pain with nauseaSudden, sharp abdominal pain
Emergency Symptoms
Seekemergency medical carefor the following symptoms:Abdominal pain while pregnant or if you may be pregnantA recent abdominal injuryA rigid bellyBloody stool(bright red, maroon, or tarry black stool)Bloody vomit(may look like coffee grounds)Chest, neck, or shoulder painDifficulty breathingShoulder pain with nauseaSudden, sharp abdominal pain
Seekemergency medical carefor the following symptoms:
Summary
Abdominal pain can stem from mild to severe conditions. The pain location may provide clues about underlying conditions. Mild conditions typically resolve with home remedies or OTC medications. However, persistent pain may indicate serious conditions that require immediate medical attention.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Yew KS, George MK, Allred HB.Acute abdominal pain in adults: evaluation and diagnosis.Am Fam Physician. 2023;107(6):585-596. PMID:37327158.MedlinePlus.Abdominal pain.Sabo CM, Grad S, Dumitrascu DL.Chronic abdominal pain in general practice.Dig Dis. 2021;39(6): 606–614. 10.1159/000515433Wils P, Caron B, D’Amico F, Danese S, Peyrin-Biroulet L.Abdominal pain in inflammatory bowel diseases: a clinical challenge.Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2022;11(15):4269. doi:10.3390/jcm11154269Mehta H.Abdominal pain.Clinical Pathways in Emergency Medicine. 2016;329-345. doi:10.1007/978-81-322-2710-6_26Louis MA, Doubleday AR, Lin E, Baek JY, Andoni A, Wang XH.Abdominal pain in the female patient: a case of concurrent acute appendicitis and ruptured endometrioma.Case Reports in Surgery.2016;2156148. doi:10.1155/2016/2156148Govender I, Rangiah S, Bongongo T, Mahuma P.A primary care approach to abdominal pain in adults.South African Family Practice. 2021;63(1). doi:10.4102/safp.v63i1.5280
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Yew KS, George MK, Allred HB.Acute abdominal pain in adults: evaluation and diagnosis.Am Fam Physician. 2023;107(6):585-596. PMID:37327158.MedlinePlus.Abdominal pain.Sabo CM, Grad S, Dumitrascu DL.Chronic abdominal pain in general practice.Dig Dis. 2021;39(6): 606–614. 10.1159/000515433Wils P, Caron B, D’Amico F, Danese S, Peyrin-Biroulet L.Abdominal pain in inflammatory bowel diseases: a clinical challenge.Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2022;11(15):4269. doi:10.3390/jcm11154269Mehta H.Abdominal pain.Clinical Pathways in Emergency Medicine. 2016;329-345. doi:10.1007/978-81-322-2710-6_26Louis MA, Doubleday AR, Lin E, Baek JY, Andoni A, Wang XH.Abdominal pain in the female patient: a case of concurrent acute appendicitis and ruptured endometrioma.Case Reports in Surgery.2016;2156148. doi:10.1155/2016/2156148Govender I, Rangiah S, Bongongo T, Mahuma P.A primary care approach to abdominal pain in adults.South African Family Practice. 2021;63(1). doi:10.4102/safp.v63i1.5280
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Yew KS, George MK, Allred HB.Acute abdominal pain in adults: evaluation and diagnosis.Am Fam Physician. 2023;107(6):585-596. PMID:37327158.MedlinePlus.Abdominal pain.Sabo CM, Grad S, Dumitrascu DL.Chronic abdominal pain in general practice.Dig Dis. 2021;39(6): 606–614. 10.1159/000515433Wils P, Caron B, D’Amico F, Danese S, Peyrin-Biroulet L.Abdominal pain in inflammatory bowel diseases: a clinical challenge.Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2022;11(15):4269. doi:10.3390/jcm11154269Mehta H.Abdominal pain.Clinical Pathways in Emergency Medicine. 2016;329-345. doi:10.1007/978-81-322-2710-6_26Louis MA, Doubleday AR, Lin E, Baek JY, Andoni A, Wang XH.Abdominal pain in the female patient: a case of concurrent acute appendicitis and ruptured endometrioma.Case Reports in Surgery.2016;2156148. doi:10.1155/2016/2156148Govender I, Rangiah S, Bongongo T, Mahuma P.A primary care approach to abdominal pain in adults.South African Family Practice. 2021;63(1). doi:10.4102/safp.v63i1.5280
Yew KS, George MK, Allred HB.Acute abdominal pain in adults: evaluation and diagnosis.Am Fam Physician. 2023;107(6):585-596. PMID:37327158.
MedlinePlus.Abdominal pain.
Sabo CM, Grad S, Dumitrascu DL.Chronic abdominal pain in general practice.Dig Dis. 2021;39(6): 606–614. 10.1159/000515433
Wils P, Caron B, D’Amico F, Danese S, Peyrin-Biroulet L.Abdominal pain in inflammatory bowel diseases: a clinical challenge.Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2022;11(15):4269. doi:10.3390/jcm11154269
Mehta H.Abdominal pain.Clinical Pathways in Emergency Medicine. 2016;329-345. doi:10.1007/978-81-322-2710-6_26
Louis MA, Doubleday AR, Lin E, Baek JY, Andoni A, Wang XH.Abdominal pain in the female patient: a case of concurrent acute appendicitis and ruptured endometrioma.Case Reports in Surgery.2016;2156148. doi:10.1155/2016/2156148
Govender I, Rangiah S, Bongongo T, Mahuma P.A primary care approach to abdominal pain in adults.South African Family Practice. 2021;63(1). doi:10.4102/safp.v63i1.5280
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