Abdominal Pain
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Reviewed By:

Samantha Nazareth, MD

Samantha Nazareth, MD (Gastroenterology)

Board-certified gastroenterologist. Experience managing gastrointestinal conditions (GERD, IBS, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s, celiac disease, NASH) within healthcare organizations (three ambulatory surgical centers, single-specialty practice, multi-specialty practice and solo practice).

Aiko Yoshioka, MD

Aiko Yoshioka, MD (Gastroenterology)

Dr. Yoshioka graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine. He worked as a gastroenterologist at Saiseikai Niigata Hospital and Niigata University Medical & Dental Hospital before serving as the Deputy Chief of Gastroenterology at Tsubame Rosai Hospital and Nagaoka Red Cross Hospital. Dr. Yoshioka joined Saitama Saiseikai Kawaguchi General Hospital as Chief of Gastroenterology in April 2018.

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Content updated on Jan 21, 2024

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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes

  • Pit of the stomach has burning sensation

  • Stomach discomfort and grouchiness comes and goes with fussiness / grouchiness

  • Child starts crying or pushes me away if I try to massage the stomachache area

  • I ate something in the previous 3 days that might be causing symptoms

  • Child can't move around much because it makes the stomach pain worse

  • Lower stomach pain that goes away after having a bowel movement

  • Stomach looks swollen and bloated up whenever the pain occurs

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About the Symptom

Abdominal pain is a painful sensation in the abdominal area. The abdominal area is the part between the chest and pelvis, often called the belly, tummy, stomach. The pain may be pressing, aching, cramping, sharp or dull in nature.

When to see a doctor

Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms

  • Intermenstrual bleeding

  • Jaundice

  • Fever

  • Sensation of incomplete voiding

  • Melena (black stools)

  • Edema

  • Recent weight loss

  • Constipation

Possible Causes

Generally, Abdominal pain can be related to:

  • Cholelithiasis

    Gallbladder stones or pieces of solid material that form in the gallbladder. Many people have gallbladder stones without any symptoms for their entire lives. Severe cases may require surgery.

  • Ovulation bleeding

    Ovulation is the process when the ovary releases an egg as part of the normal female reproductive cycle. It typically happens in the middle of a menstrual cycle (about 2 weeks after the end of the period). At the time of ovulation, some women may feel some cramping or lower abdominal pain that resolves by itself. This is called mid-cycle pain (mittelschmerz), and it can occasionally cause some mild bleeding or spotting along with it. If there is no other cause for the pain or bleeding, this is not considered to be harmful.

  • Acute porphyria

    Acute porphyria refers to a group of rare genetic disorders affecting heme production, leading to a range of symptoms.

Related serious diseases

Sometimes, Abdominal pain may be related to these serious diseases:

Doctor's Diagnostic Questions

Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:

  • Do you have a stomach ache?

  • Does pressing on your stomach cause severe pain?

  • Is your stomach always hard and stiff like a board?

  • Did you have a sharp, stabbing-like pain in your abdomen?

  • Do you have ongoing stomach pain?

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FAQs

Q.

When my stomach is upset, what are the guidelines for seeing a doctor?

A.

If it does not go away after resting your abdomen, see a doctor. Be sure to see a doctor if your abdomen is very tight or if it is accompanied by pain or bleeding.

Details

Because inflammation or a dangerous disease may be hiding, see a doctor if your stomach is distressed after a short rest or if you are in pain. Be sure to see a doctor, especially if there is severe pain or bleeding.

References

Diane Abraczinskas, MD. (2022). Overview of intestinal gas and bloating.

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/overview-of-intestinal-gas-and-bloating

Q.

When I have an upset stomach, are there any measures I can take in my daily life?

A.

Avoid binge drinking and exercise moderately.

Details

Avoid eating too fast, overeating, and drinking too much, and chew your food well. Moderate exercise also improves gastrointestinal function and may improve symptoms. However, it is advisable to stay at rest for about an hour after eating, avoiding strenuous exercise to avoid stress on the digestive organs. Do not lie down immediately after eating, and try to stay in a relaxed and comfortable position.

References

Diane Abraczinskas, MD. (2022). Overview of intestinal gas and bloating.

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/overview-of-intestinal-gas-and-bloating

Q.

What are the possible causes or diseases of an upset stomach?

A.

Gas accumulation in the digestive tract is a relatively common cause. Constipation, inflammation or tumors in the abdomen, and pregnancy are also possible causes.

Details

There are a variety of causes of a distended abdomen, including distension of the stomach, intestines, uterus, or other organs in the abdomen, or distension of the abdominal cavity, the space that surrounds the organs of the abdomen. If it is the stomach or intestines, the cause could be gas, constipation, or inflammation/tumor in the stomach or intestines. If it is the uterus, the cause could be myoma, pregnancy, etc. If it is in the abdominal cavity, the cause could be water retention or inflammation due to liver disease, etc.

References

Diane Abraczinskas, MD. (2022). Overview of intestinal gas and bloating.

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/overview-of-intestinal-gas-and-bloating

Find Similar Symptoms

Similar symptoms or complaints

References

  • Sherman R. Abdominal Pain. In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, editors. Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd edition. Boston: Butterworths; 1990. Chapter 86. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK412/

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK412/

Reviewed By:

Samantha Nazareth, MD

Samantha Nazareth, MD (Gastroenterology)

Board-certified gastroenterologist. Experience managing gastrointestinal conditions (GERD, IBS, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s, celiac disease, NASH) within healthcare organizations (three ambulatory surgical centers, single-specialty practice, multi-specialty practice and solo practice).

Aiko Yoshioka, MD

Aiko Yoshioka, MD (Gastroenterology)

Dr. Yoshioka graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine. He worked as a gastroenterologist at Saiseikai Niigata Hospital and Niigata University Medical & Dental Hospital before serving as the Deputy Chief of Gastroenterology at Tsubame Rosai Hospital and Nagaoka Red Cross Hospital. Dr. Yoshioka joined Saitama Saiseikai Kawaguchi General Hospital as Chief of Gastroenterology in April 2018.

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