Abdominal Pain:
Causes, Symptoms & When to Worry

Clear, doctor-led guidance to help you understand the pain in your abdomen and know when to seek care.

Abdominal Pain Explained

Abdominal pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care worldwide.

It accounts for roughly 2 to 5% of visits in primary care and up to 10% of emergency department visits.

In many cases, often up to 30 to 50%, no single clear cause is identified after initial evaluation. From mild digestive issues to serious conditions requiring urgent care, abdominal pain can have many different causes.

Our goal is to help you understand what may be causing your abdominal pain and guide you toward the most appropriate next steps and treatment options.


WHAT IS ABDOMINAL PAIN?

Abdominal pain refers to discomfort anywhere between your chest and pelvis. It can range from mild and temporary to severe and life-threatening.

Common types include:

  • Sharp or stabbing pain
  • Cramping pain
  • Burning discomfort
  • Pain that comes and goes
  • Constant, worsening pain


WHEN IS ABDOMINAL PAIN SERIOUS

When Should You Worry About Abdominal Pain?

Seek urgent care if you have:

  • Severe, sudden pain
  • Pain with fever
  • Persistent vomiting
  • Blood in stool or vomit
  • Pain that wakes you from sleep
  • Abdominal pain after injury
  • Abdominal swelling with inability to pass stool or gas


Read full breakdown  -  When Is Abdominal Pain Serious

EXPLORE COMMON CAUSES BY REGIONS OF YOUR ABDOMEN

Right Upper Abdomen

  • Biliary colic
  • Cholecystitis
  • Costochondritis
  • Myofascial trigger point pain
  • Hepatitis
  • Kidney stones. >> See More

Central Upper Abdomen

  • Indigestion
  • Gastritis
  • Hiatus hernia
  • Peptic ulcer
  • Pancreatitis
  • Referred pain from the heart (rare but serious). >> See More

Left Upper Abdomen

  • Spleen pain
  • Constipation
  • Costochondritis
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Gas / bloating >> See More

Right Middle Abdomen

Central Abdomen

  • Constipation
  • Indigestion
  • Adhesions (scar tissue)
  • Food poisoning
  • Trapped wind
  • Celiac. >> See More

Left Middle Abdomen

Lower Right Abdomen

  • Appendicitis
  • Mesenteric lymphadenitis
  • Cecitis
  • Crohn's disease
  • Diverticulitis
  • Right Ovarian Cyst pain
  • IBS
  • Mid Cycle pain. >> See More

Central Lower Abdomen

  • Cystitis or bladder infection
  • Interstitial cystitis
  • Fibroid pain
  • Constipation
  • Menstrual pain
  • IBS
  • PID
  • SPD in pregnancy
  • Endometriosis. >> See More

Left Lower Abdomen

  • Constipation
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Diverticulitis
  • Trapped wind
  • Ovarian cyst - left sided
  • Celiac disease
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Crohn's disease
  • Mid Cycle Pain. >> See More

DOCTOR-LED. EVIDENCE-BASED. HERE FOR YOU. 

This site is built and reviewed by a licensed physician with experience in emergency medicine, internal medicine, and primary care.

All content is designed to be:

  • medically accurate
  • easy to understand
  • practical and actionable

We aim to provide you with a comprehensive wealth of information on abdominal pain with regards to:

  • Causes  
  • Diagnosis
  • Tests and investigations
  • Current treatment options available 
  • Abdominal pain doctors near you

We also offer guidance on interpreting test results and next steps when needed.