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Abdominal Pain Causes
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, bowel obstruction, pancreatitis, appendicitis, gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or diverticulitis
|
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Change in bowel habits
- Nausea or vomiting
- Bloating
- Blood in stool or in vomit
|
|
Food poisoning
|
- Diarrhea
- Nausea (feeling sick to your stomach)
- Vomiting
- Abdominal cramps
|
|
Urinary problems, such as a kidney stone, kidney disease, kidney infection, or bladder infection
|
- 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
|
- Chronic, generalized abdominal pain
- Diarrhea (nonbloody)
- Gas and bloating
|
|
Inflammatory disease, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
|
- Diarrhea (may be bloody)
- Fever (may come and go)
- Generalized abdominal pain (frequently awakens you at night)
- Weight loss
|
|
Irritable bowel syndrome
|
- 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
|
- Abdominal pain (may be severe)
- Vaginal bleeding
- Common pregnancy symptoms
|
|
Infection with a parasite, such as giardia
|
- Diarrhea (nonbloody)
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Gas and bloating
- Weight loss
|
|
Reproductive problems, such as endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
|
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Fever
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Pain with intercourse
|
|
Sickle cell disease
|
- 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
|
- Sudden abdominal pain or back pain
- Drop in blood pressure
- Signs of shock
|
|
Hernias, such as hiatal, inguinal, or umbilical
|
- 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.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.
To learn more about Ignite Healthwise, LLC, visit webmdignite.com.
© 2024-2025 Ignite Healthwise, LLC.
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