Abdominal Pain, What’s Causing It and Treatment

Abdominal pain is pain that occurs between the chest and pelvic regions. It can also be crampy, achy, dull, intermittent, or sharp. discomfort also called a stomachache.

Inflammation or diseases that affect the organs in the abdomen can cause abdominal pain. And major organs located in the abdomen include:

intestines (small and large)
kidneys
appendix (a part of the large intestine)
spleen
stomach
gallbladder
liver
pancreas

Viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections that affect the stomach and intestines may also cause significant abdominal pain.

Types of Abdominal Pain

There are several types of abdominal pain, which are based on how quickly your pain starts and how long it lasts for example:

Acute pain starts over a few hours or days and may come with other symptoms.
Chronic pain lasts longer — from weeks to months or more — and may come and go.
Progressive pain gets worse over time and often comes with other symptoms.

Abdominal Pain Causes

Whether you’ve got a mild ache or serious cramps, abdominal pain can have many causes. For instance, you might have indigestion, constipation, a stomach virus, or, if you’re a woman, menstrual cramps.

Other possible causes include:

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
Food poisoning
Food allergies
Gas
Urinary tract infection
Abdominal muscle strain or pull

You may also get abdominal pain if you’re lactose intolerant or have ulcers or pelvic inflammatory disease. Other causes include:

Hernia
Gallstones
Kidney stones
Endometriosis
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Appendicitis
Diverticulitis
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (swelling in the belly's main artery)
Bowel blockage or obstruction
Cancer of the stomach, pancreas, liver, bile duct, gallbladder, or immune cells
Ovarian cancer or cysts
Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder)
Low blood flow to your intestines caused by a blocked blood vessel
Ectopic pregnancy (when a fertilized eggs grows outside the uterus, for example, in a Fallopian tube)

When to Call the Doctor About Abdominal Pain

If your abdominal pain is serious, doesn’t go away, or keeps coming back, talk to your doctor. Or call for help right away if your belly hurts because you had a recent injury, there or if you have any chest pain.

You should also contact your doctor as soon as you can if you have symptoms along with the pain, such as:

Fever
Can’t keep food down for more than 2 days
There’s signs you’re getting dehydrated, including not urinating frequently, dark-colored urine, and being very thirsty
Can’t have a bowel movement, especially if you’re also vomiting
Pain when you pee, or you need to urinate often

Location of pain within the abdomen

The location of the pain within the abdomen may be a clue as to its cause.

Pain that's generalized throughout the abdomen (not in one specific area) may indicate:

appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix)
Crohn's disease
traumatic injury
irritable bowel syndrome
urinary tract infection
the flu

Pain that's focused in the lower abdomen may indicate:

appendicitis
intestinal obstruction
ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that occurs outside the womb)

Additionally, in women, pain in the reproductive organs of the lower abdomen can be caused by:

severe menstrual pain (called dysmenorrhea)
ovarian cysts
miscarriage
fibroids
endometriosis
pelvic inflammatory disease
ectopic pregnancy

And also upper abdominal pain may be caused by:

gallstones
heart attack
hepatitis (liver inflammation)
pneumonia

In addition to that pain in the center of the abdomen might be from:

appendicitis
gastroenteritis
injury
uremia (buildup of waste products in your blood)

Lower left abdominal pain may be caused by:

Crohn's disease
cancer
kidney infection
ovarian cysts
appendicitis

Upper left abdominal pain is sometimes caused by:

enlarged spleen
fecal impaction (hardened stool that can't be eliminated)
injury
kidney infection
heart attack
cancer

Causes of lower right abdominal pain include:

appendicitis
hernia (when an organ protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles)
kidney infection
cancer
flu

Upper right abdominal pain may be from:

hepatitis
injury
pneumonia
appendicitis

Abdominal Pain Diagnosis

Since there are so many possible causes, your doctor will do a thorough physical exam. They'll also ask you some questions about your symptoms and want to know what type of pain you have. For instance, is it a severe stabbing pain or a dull ache?

Some other questions your doctor may ask you:

Does it hurt throughout your abdomen, or is it just in one particular area?
When does it hurt? Always? More often in the morning or at night?
If the pain comes and goes, about how long does it last each time?
Also, does it hurt after you eat certain foods or drink alcohol?
Are you in pain during menstruation?
How long have you been hurting?
Does the pain sometimes move into your lower back, shoulder, groin, or buttocks?
Do you take any medications or herbal supplements?
Are you pregnant?
Does any activity ease the pain, such as eating or lying on one side?
Does an activity or position make the pain worse?
Were you injured recently?

To conclude, after your exam is over and your doctor is asking you questions, you may need tests to help find the cause of your pain. And also these tests may include:

Stool or urine tests
Blood tests
Barium swallows or enemas
Endoscopy
X-ray
Ultrasound
CT scan
Colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy

Abdominal Pain Treatment and Home Remedies

The treatment for abdominal pain depends on its cause, and may include:

Medications to lower inflammation, prevent acid reflux, or treat ulcers or infection
Surgery to treat a problem with an organ

Over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin and ibuprofen can irritate your stomach and worsen your pain. Don't take them unless a doctor has diagnosed the cause of your belly pain and recommends their use.

Moreover, some diet and lifestyle changes may help belly pain caused by gas and indigestion. Here are some things you can try:

Eat smaller portions at more frequent meals
Eat slowly
Chew your food well
Drink beverages at room temperature
Avoid foods that give you gas or indigestion
Manage your stress
Limit alcohol and caffeine
Sit up straight after you eat
Get regular physical activity and take a short walk after you eat

How can I prevent abdominal pain?

Lastly, not all forms of abdominal pain are preventable. However, you can minimize the risk of developing abdominal pain by doing the following:

Eat a healthy diet.
Drink water frequently.
Exercise regularly.
Eat smaller meals.

If you have an intestinal disorder, such as Crohn's disease, follow the diet your doctor has given you to minimize discomfort. And also if you have GERD, don't eat within 2 hours of bedtime.

Lying down too soon after eating may cause heartburn and abdominal pain. Try waiting at least 2 hours after eating before lying down.