Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain can come from the digestive, urinary, reproductive, or other organs. The location, severity, timing, and accompanying symptoms help a clinician determine the cause.
About abdominal pain
Abdominal pain can come from the digestive, urinary, reproductive, or other organs. The location, severity, timing, and accompanying symptoms help a clinician determine the cause.
What can cause it?
Common causes include indigestion, constipation, a stomach virus, urinary problems, or muscle strain.
Gallbladder disease, kidney stones, appendicitis, pancreatitis, pregnancy-related problems, blocked intestine, and other conditions can also cause abdominal pain.
What a patient may notice
Symptoms vary from person to person. Possible signs may include:
- Cramping, aching, burning, or sharp pain
- Bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation
- Pain that changes with meals, movement, or urination
How clinicians find the cause
A clinician will ask where the pain is located, when it began, whether it moves, and about vomiting, bowel movements, urination, menstrual history, pregnancy possibility, medicines, and prior surgery. Depending on the findings, testing may include urine, blood work, a pregnancy test, ultrasound, x-ray, or CT imaging.
Treatment and next steps
- 1
Treatment depends on the cause; there is no single treatment that is safe for every type of abdominal pain.
- 2
A clinician may recommend hydration, dietary changes, medicine, additional testing, specialist follow-up, or emergency care.
- 3
Do not delay care for severe or worsening pain while trying home remedies.
Supporting recovery
- Track when the pain started, its location, and what makes it better or worse.
- Note vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, fever, urinary symptoms, recent foods, and medicines.
- Sip fluids only if you can keep them down and a clinician has not told you to avoid eating or drinking.
What to expect
The outlook depends on the cause. Mild digestive or muscle-related pain often improves with appropriate care, while appendicitis, bowel blockage, internal bleeding, and other serious causes require rapid treatment. A reassuring first evaluation does not replace follow-up if symptoms change or continue.
Possible complications
- Dehydration from ongoing vomiting or diarrhea
- Bleeding, infection, or perforation from certain digestive conditions
- Organ damage or shock when a serious cause is not treated promptly
When to Contact a Medical Professional
A same-day medical evaluation is recommended, especially when symptoms are severe, worsening, or accompanied by fever, vomiting, weakness, or significant pain.
Call 911 for severe sudden pain, fainting, a rigid abdomen, vomiting blood, or signs of shock.Get emergency help for severe trouble breathing, new chest pressure, fainting, seizure, sudden weakness on one side, uncontrolled bleeding, blue or gray lips, or a person who is difficult to wake.
Ways to lower risk
- Food safety, hydration, regular bowel habits, and taking medicines as directed can lower the risk of some causes.
- Many causes cannot be prevented, so recognizing warning signs is important.
Trusted health information
This CHS patient-education page uses original wording and links to MedlinePlus for additional information.