Overview
Abdominal pain can have many causes. Often the specific symptoms help determine the cause of the pain.
Causes of abdominal painCause | Most common symptoms |
|---|
Gastrointestinal problems, such as constipation, gallbladder disease, bowel obstruction, pancreatitis, appendicitis, gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or diverticulitis | - Abdominal pain or cramping
- Change in bowel habits
- Nausea or vomiting
- Bloating
- Blood in stool or in vomit
|
|---|
Food poisoning | - Diarrhea
- Nausea (feeling sick to your stomach)
- Vomiting
- Abdominal cramps
|
|---|
Urinary problems, such as a kidney stone, kidney disease, kidney infection, or bladder infection | - Burning when urinating
- Blood in the urine
- Flank pain or lower pelvic pain
- Need to urinate small amounts frequently
- Unable to urinate
- Fever
|
|---|
Dietary, such as lactose intolerance or food allergy | - Chronic, generalized abdominal pain
- Diarrhea (nonbloody)
- Gas and bloating
|
|---|
Inflammatory disease, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis | - Diarrhea (may be bloody)
- Fever (may come and go)
- Generalized abdominal pain (frequently awakens you at night)
- Weight loss
|
|---|
Irritable bowel syndrome | - Chronic or intermittent abdominal pain with either diarrhea or constipation (pain does not awaken you at night)
- Increases with stress
- No weight loss
|
|---|
Ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage | - Abdominal pain (may be severe)
- Vaginal bleeding
- Positive risk factors for pregnancy
|
|---|
Infection with a parasite, such as giardia | - Diarrhea (nonbloody)
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Gas and bloating
- Weight loss
|
|---|
Female reproductive problems, such as endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) | - Abdominal pain or cramping
- Fever
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Pain with intercourse
|
|---|
Sickle cell disease | - Abdominal pain
- Pain in the arms and legs, the chest, or the spinal bones
|
|---|
Blood vessel problems, such as an aortic aneurysm or peripheral arterial disease | - Sudden abdominal pain or back pain
- Drop in blood pressure
- Signs of shock
|
|---|
Hernias, such as hiatal, inguinal, or umbilical | - Abdominal pain
- Bulging area in the belly or groin
|
|---|
Credits
Current as of: June 6, 2022
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
