Abdominal Pain Causes - Overview
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Abdominal Pain Causes

Overview

Abdominal pain can have many causes. Often the specific symptoms help determine the cause of the pain.

Causes of abdominal pain

Cause

Most common symptoms

Gastrointestinal problems, such as constipation, gallbladder disease, Opens dialog, bowel obstruction, Opens dialog, pancreatitis, Opens dialog, appendicitis, Opens dialog, gastritis, Opens dialog, peptic ulcer disease, Opens dialog, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Opens dialog, or diverticulitis, Opens dialog
  • Abdominal pain or cramping
  • Change in bowel habits
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Bloating
  • Blood in stool or in vomit

Food poisoning, Opens dialog

  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea (feeling sick to your stomach)
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal cramps

Urinary problems, such as a kidney stone, Opens dialog, kidney disease, kidney infection, Opens dialog, or bladder infection, Opens dialog
  • 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, Opens dialog or food allergy, Opens dialog
  • Chronic, generalized abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea (nonbloody)
  • Gas and bloating

Inflammatory disease, such as Crohn's disease, Opens dialog or ulcerative colitis, Opens dialog
  • Diarrhea (may be bloody)
  • Fever (may come and go)
  • Generalized abdominal pain (frequently awakens you at night)
  • Weight loss

Irritable bowel syndrome, Opens dialog

  • 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, Opens dialog or miscarriage, Opens dialog
  • Abdominal pain (may be severe)
  • Vaginal bleeding
  • Common pregnancy symptoms

Infection with a parasite, such as giardia, Opens dialog
  • Diarrhea (nonbloody)
  • Abdominal pain or cramping
  • Gas and bloating
  • Weight loss

Reproductive problems, such as endometriosis, Opens dialog or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), Opens dialog
  • Abdominal pain or cramping
  • Fever
  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding
  • Abnormal vaginal discharge
  • Pain with intercourse

Sickle cell disease, Opens dialog

  • Abdominal pain
  • Pain in the arms and legs, the chest, or the spinal bones

Blood vessel problems, such as an aortic aneurysm, Opens dialog or peripheral arterial disease, Opens dialog
  • Sudden abdominal pain or back pain
  • Drop in blood pressure
  • Signs of shock

Hernias, such as hiatal, Opens dialog, inguinal, Opens dialog, or umbilical, Opens dialog
  • Abdominal pain
  • Bulging area in the belly or groin

Current as of: October 19, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board

All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.