A summary of indicators of abdominal pain
Refer to abdominal pain as stomach pain or cramps. Abdominal pain can be of different types, which include:
- Be mild or severe
- Come on suddenly (acute pain)
- Occur occasionally or frequent pain
- Be a persistent symptom (chronic pain)
- Start mild and steadily worsen
What Is Abdominal Pain?
Abdominal pain refers to discomfort anywhere in your belly, between your ribs and pelvis. While many consider it a “stomach pain” or “stomachache,” the source of pain in your abdomen might involve organs other than your stomach.
These are all organs within your digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. However, pain can also originate in your abdominal wall, which consists of the skin and muscles that form the outer part of your abdomen. Sometimes, the discomfort you experience in your belly may be musculoskeletal in origin and actually stem from other areas, such as your chest, pelvis, or back.
What is the leading cause of abdominal pain?
Abdominal pain can have many causes. Most are temporary and not serious, often related to digestion, inflammation, or menstruation. However, stomach pain can be severe and may require prompt assessment, especially if persistent.
Digestive issues
Abdominal pain following meals could be caused by:
- Indigestion
- Gas and abdominal discomfort
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Food allergies and intolerances
- Food poisoning
- Chronic acid reflux (GERD)
Inflammation
Irritation or infection in your organs can lead to temporary inflammation, such as:
- Stomach flu
- Peptic ulcer disease
Menstruation
Possible causes of female abdominal pain include:
- Menstrual cramps
- Ovulation pain
- Adenomyosis
Causes of pain in the upper right abdomen include hepatitis, gallstones, inflammation of the gallbladder, problems with the bile duct, gallbladder or liver cancer, and infections like UTIs, as well as bowel obstruction.
Causes of pain in the upper left abdomen include pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, an enlarged spleen, gastritis, stomach ulcers, and stomach cancer.
Kidney stones are characterized by sudden, intense cramping that comes in waves. This pain usually originates in the flank/side and may radiate to the lower abdomen and groin as the stone travels down the urinary tract.
Causes of lower abdominal pain include bladder inflammation, bladder stones, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and hernia.
Your pelvic organs might be causing referred pain due to conditions such as endometriosis, ovarian cysts, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome (FHCS), ectopic pregnancy, ovarian cancer, uterine fibroids, or uterine cancer.
Appendicitis may also be a reason for abdominal pain.
What are the standard methods for treating abdominal pain?
Abdominal pain can stem from various causes and may require different treatments. Some conditions are managed with medication to ease symptoms, while others might need surgical intervention. Sometimes, you will need to wait out a stomach flu or a kidney stone until it resolves.
If you are unsure about the cause of your abdominal pain, it is crucial to determine it, especially if the pain persists. Even mild, persistent, or unexplained discomfort can indicate a serious condition. Your doctor might suggest imaging tests to better assess your symptoms. Based on the pain’s location and other factors, these tests could include:
- Ultrasound
- CT scan
- MRI
If you suspect your stomachache is connected to digestion, you can start by treating it with:
- Bowel rest: Avoid eating or consume only simple, easily digestible foods such as crackers or bananas.
- Hydrate by drinking plenty of water or using a hydration solution.
- Heat therapy: Try a warm water bottle or a warm bath.
- Home remedies: Ginger can help with indigestion, and peppermint might relax your intestinal muscles.
- Pain relievers: Use an over-the-counter (OTC) option, like acetaminophen.
For more severe conditions, treatment options may involve:
- H2 blockers
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
- Antibiotics
- IV fluids
- Cancer treatment
Is it possible to prevent abdominal pain?
While it is not always possible to prevent abdominal pain, you can still take measures to maintain the health of your abdominal organs. Here are some steps you can follow:
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
- Ensure you’re consuming enough fiber.
- Engage in regular physical activity.
- Ensure you drink enough water.
- Limit alcohol consumption or avoid it entirely.
If you have certain health conditions, such as lactose intolerance or celiac disease, you may be able to reduce the recurrence of stomach pain by managing your diet accordingly. Your healthcare provider may recommend avoiding certain foods or drinks. Talk to your provider before starting any new eating plan.
Living with stomach pain
Abdominal pain can arise from many causes, so it is common to experience it occasionally. You might recognize familiar reasons like abdominal pain and diarrhea, but some causes are less noticeable. Sometimes, such pain signals a serious or unknown health condition. Your doctor can help determine the cause and often treat common issues quickly to provide relief. Even if your pain is mild, consult your doctor if it persists, recurs, or worsens.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should a doctor or healthcare provider intervene to treat abdominal pain?
Always consult your doctor if your pain is unexplained, severe, or persistent. Also, seek medical advice if you have been injured or are pregnant. Contact your doctor if you experience abdominal pain along with a persistent fever, ongoing nausea or vomiting, blood in your stool, urine, or vomit, swelling and tenderness in your abdomen, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), pain elsewhere in your body, shortness of breath, or if symptoms worsen with activity.
What does the location of the abdominal pain tell you?
Location is a crucial clue to understanding your abdominal pain, but it isn’t the sole factor. It helps your doctor determine which organs may be involved. For example, pain in the upper right area might indicate problems with your liver or gallbladder. Your doctor will also need details about your pain, including how it feels, how often it occurs, its intensity, and whether it radiates or spreads to other regions. These details offer further insights into potential conditions.
What are some ways to manage abdominal pain at home?
Mild abdominal pain might resolve on its own within a few hours or days. If you know the cause of your mild pain, stay well-hydrated by drinking clear fluids and avoiding alcohol, tea, and coffee. Refrain from consuming rich, fatty, or spicy foods. Rest as needed. Applying a hot water bottle or a warm wheat pack to your stomach can help. Consult your pharmacist about over-the-counter pain relief options. Seek medical attention for severe pain or if the pain recurs.
When is it necessary to consult my doctor?
Consult a doctor if you experience recurrent or persistent abdominal pain, or if it initially was mild but worsens. Also seek medical advice if you notice vaginal bleeding unrelated to your periods, changes in bowel habits, bleeding from your rectum or blood in your stools, abdominal swelling, unexplained weight loss, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), or fever. If you’re pregnant and have abdominal pain, contact your doctor or midwife.
What is the connection between fever and symptoms like stomachache and pain?
A fever along with stomach pain often signals infection or inflammation, such as appendicitis, diverticulitis, or gallbladder infection. Usually, abdominal pain with a fever points to an infection like appendicitis, diverticulitis (infection of the large intestine), cholecystitis (gallbladder infection), or pyelonephritis (kidney infection). If you notice these symptoms, seek immediate medical care to rule out these serious issues. Left untreated, abdominal infections can worsen rapidly or spread, so quick diagnosis and treatment are essential.
