Abdominal Pain

Find out when to see a doctor

Just about everybody at one point or another will experience abdominal pain. Most of the causes are not serious and can be readily diagnosed and treated. However, pain can also be a sign of a serious illness. It’s important to be able to recognize symptoms that are severe and know when to call a doctor.

Common Causes of Abdominal Pain

Whether it is a mild stomach ache, sharp pain, or stomach cramps, abdominal pain has numerous causes. These include:

  • Indigestion
  • Constipation
  • Stomach “flu”
  • Menstrual cramps
  • Food poisoning
  • Food allergies
  • Gas
  • Lactose intolerance
  • Ulcers
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease
  • Hernia
  • Gallstones
  • Kidney stones
  • Endometriosis
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease
  • Appendicitis

Symptoms of Abdominal Pain

What Symptoms of Abdominal Pain Are Cause for Concern?

If your abdominal pain is severe or if it is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor as soon as possible:

  • Fever
  • The pain occurs during pregnancy
  • The abdomen is tender to the touch
  • Vomiting blood
  • Bloody stools
  • Difficulty breathing
  • The pain lasts for several days
  • Painful or unusually frequent urination
  • Inability to keep food down for several days
  • Inability to pass stool, especially if you are also vomiting
  • The pain is the result of an injury to the abdomen in the previous days

These symptoms can be an indication of an internal problem that requires treatment as soon as possible. Because there are so many potential causes of abdominal pain, your doctor will perform a thorough physical exam, discuss with you the type of symptoms you are experiencing, and ask you several related questions about the pain you are feeling. These questions may include:

  • What type of pain are you experiencing?
    - Is the pain throughout your abdomen or is it confined to a particular area?
  • Where in your abdomen does the pain seem to be located?
  • What type of pain are you experiencing?
    - Is it stabbing and severe?
    - Is it a dull ache?
  • When does the pain occur?
    - Always?
    - More often in the morning or at night?
    - If the pain comes and goes, about how long does it last each time?
    - Does it occur after eating certain types of foods or after drinking alcohol?
    - During menstruation?
  • How long have you had this pain?
  • Does the pain also radiate into your lower back, shoulder, groin, or buttocks?
  • Are you currently taking any medications or herbal supplements?
  • Are you pregnant?

Once an initial evaluation has been completed, your doctor may have you undergo some tests to help him or her diagnose your pain. These may include stool or urine tests, blood tests, barium swallows or enemas, an endoscopy, X-ray, ultrasound, or CT scan.

How Is Abdominal Pain Treated?

Treating abdominal pain depends on its cause. This can range from medications for inflammation, GERD, or ulcers, to antibiotics for infections, to changes in personal behavior for abdominal pain caused by certain foods or beverages. In some cases such as appendicitis and a hernia, surgery is necessary.