Abdominal pain

Key takeaways

• Abdominal pain is when you feel any discomfort in the area between your chest and pelvis.
• The location, frequency and severity of abdominal pain may vary.
• Abdominal pain is common and can have different causes. Treatment will depend on the cause of your pain.
• If your pain is severe, lasts more than a few days or you have other concerning symptoms, contact your provider.

Overview

What is abdominal pain?

Any pain or discomfort you feel between your chest and pelvis is considered abdominal pain. How much pain you feel, where you feel the pain and how often you feel the pain may vary. Acute abdominal pain comes and goes and is often short-lived, while chronic abdominal pain happens over weeks, months, or years.

Other names for abdominal pain:

Abdomen pain, abdominal tenderness, stomach pain, stomachache,belly/tummy ache

Types of abdominal pain:

• Generalized pain — This means that you feel pain in more than half of your belly.
• Localized pain — This is pain in only one area of your belly, often near an organ, such as the appendix, gallbladder, or stomach.
• Cramp-like pain — Typically described as a sudden, tight feeling in the muscles of your stomach or belly. 
• Colicky pain — Sudden, sharp, stabbing pain usually felt in a single, specific area.

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Possible Causes

What can cause abdominal pain?

• Constipation
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn disease or ulcerative colitis)
• Food allergies or intolerance (such as lactose intolerance)
• Food poisoning
• Stomach flu
• Muscle strain or pelvic pain
• Diverticulitis (Inflammation and infection of the colon)
• Endometriosis (when tissue grows outside of the uterus)
• Shingles
• Ulcer

Where you feel your pain can also help you and your provider identify the cause:

• Upper abdomen — Upper abdominal pain could be related to heartburn or indigestion. You may experience other symptoms such as pain near the back, neck or shoulders, bloating, gas, acid reflux, heartburn, loss of appetite or nausea.
• Lower abdomen — Lower abdominal pain could be related to menstruation, digestion, or a urinary tract issue. You may experience other symptoms such as cramping, diarrhea, bloating, backache, unusual vaginal discharge, painful urination or painful sex.
• Right side of abdomen — Pain felt on the right side could be related to the gallbladder or appendix. With gallstones, the pain starts in the upper-right side of the abdomen and can spread to the right shoulder blade. With appendicitis, the pain begins on the lower-right side and may come and go. As the pain moves lower, it becomes constant and more severe. For both pains, you may also experience other symptoms such as loss of appetite, chills, sweating or diarrhea.
• Left side of abdomen — Pain felt on the left side could be related to the digestive tract or kidneys such as kidney stones or a kidney infection. Pain related to kidneys can also be felt on the right side of the abdomen and you may also experience other symptoms such as fever, chills or loss of appetite.

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Treatment & management

How can abdominal pain be treated?

The cause of your abdominal pain will determine your treatment options. Medication may be an option to relieve mild pain. It is important to work with a health care provider to determine the cause of your abdominal pain so that it can be treated appropriately. MinuteClinic offers a variety of services that can help with diagnosis and treatment.

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When to seek medical care

Go to the hospital or call 911:

• Your pain is severe enough that you can't move without causing pain or can't find a comfortable position.
• You're experiencing abdominal pain with any of the following:
  • Feel pressure or pain in your chest, neck or shoulders
  • Are currently being treated for cancer
  • Are unable to pass stool
  • Vomiting blood
  • Have blood in your stool (especially if bright red, maroon or dark, tarry black)
  • Have tenderness when you touch your stomach
  • Your stomach is rigid and hard to the touch
  • Have difficulty breathing
  • Had a recent accident or injury
  • Are pregnant or could be pregnant

Call your provider if:

• Your abdominal pain or bloating does not improve in 24 to 48 hours (about 2 days), or it becomes more severe and frequent
• You are experiencing abdominal pain with any of the following:
  • A burning sensation when you urinate or have frequent urination
  • Diarrhea for more than 5 days
  • Nausea and vomiting with your stomach pain
  • A fever over 100°F (37.7°C) for adults or 100.4°F (38°C) for children with your pain
  • Prolonged poor appetite
  • Unexplained weight loss

In general, if you are concerned about your abdominal pain, check in with a health care provider. You can find a variety of services at a MinuteClinic near you.

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This material is for reference only and should not be used to determine treatment for specific medical conditions.

Please visit a healthcare provider for evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of any symptoms you may be experiencing. If you're experiencing a medical emergency, please dial 911 or visit your local Emergency Department.

References used as sources for this page

1. Abdominal (Stomach) Pain: Causes and When to See a Doctor. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/abdominal-pain. (Accessed September 21, 2022)
2. Abdominal pain: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003120.htm. (Accessed September 22, 2022)
3. 4 Types of Abdominal Pain and What You Can Do. Available at: https://www.riversideer.com/blog-detail/4-types-of-abdominal-pain-and-what-you-can.phps. (Accessed September 21, 2022)
4. Abdominal pain When to see a doctor - MayoClinic. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/abdominal-pain/basics/when-to-see-doctor/sym-20050728. (Accessed September 21, 2022)

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