Overview
Abdominal pain can have many causes. Often the specific symptoms help determine the cause of the pain.
Causes of abdominal pain
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Cause
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Most common symptoms
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Gastrointestinal problems, such as constipation, gallbladder disease, bowel obstruction, pancreatitis, appendicitis, gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or diverticulitis
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- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Change in bowel habits
- Nausea or vomiting
- Bloating
- Blood in stool or in vomit
|
|
Foodborne illness
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- Diarrhea
- Nausea (feeling sick to your stomach)
- Vomiting
- Abdominal cramps
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|
Urinary problems, such as a kidney stone, kidney disease, kidney infection, or bladder infection
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- 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
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- Chronic, generalized abdominal pain
- Diarrhea (non-bloody)
- Gas and bloating
|
|
Inflammatory disease, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
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- Diarrhea (may be bloody)
- Fever (may come and go)
- Generalized abdominal pain (frequently awakens you at night)
- Weight loss
|
|
Irritable bowel syndrome
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- 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
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- Abdominal pain (may be severe)
- Vaginal bleeding
- Positive risk factors for pregnancy
|
|
Infection with a parasite, such as giardia
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- Diarrhea (non-bloody)
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Gas and bloating
- Weight loss
|
|
Female reproductive problems, such as endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
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- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Fever
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Pain with intercourse
|
|
Sickle cell disease
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- 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
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- Sudden abdominal pain or back pain
- Drop in blood pressure
- Signs of shock
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Hernias, such as hiatal, inguinal, or umbilical
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- Abdominal pain
- Bulging area in the belly or groin
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Credits
Current as of:
March 22, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
