- Severe pain.
- Fever.
- Bloody stools.
- Persistent nausea and vomiting.
- Weight loss.
- Skin that appears yellow.
- Severe tenderness when you touch your abdomen.
- Swelling of the abdomen.
Common Causes
The most common symptoms include:
- Bloating
- Pelvic or abdominal (belly) pain
- Trouble eating or feeling full quickly
- Urinary symptoms such as urgency (always feeling like you have to go) or frequency (having to go often)
Related Conditions
Most of the time, abdominal bloating and pain occur due to:
- overeating
- gas
- stress
- indigestion
What are the signs of abdominal pain?
- Fever
- Persistent vomiting
- Vomiting blood
- Persistent diarrhea
- Blood in the stool
- Yellowing of the skin
- Abdominal bloating
What is causing my abdominal pain?
- frequent nausea or vomiting
- a sustained fever of 101°F (38.3°C) for adults or 100.4°F (38°C) for children
- stool that contains blood or dried blood, which looks like wet coffee grounds
- an inability to keep food down
- extreme thirst or dry mouth
- an inability to speak or see
- mental confusion or loss of consciousness
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- seizures
When to start worrying about abdominal pain?
What are the symptoms of a stomach pain?
See more
What is abdomen pain a symptom of?
Less serious causes of abdominal pain include constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, food allergies, lactose intolerance, food poisoning, and a stomach virus. Other, more serious, causes include appendicitis, an abdominal aortic aneurysm, a bowel blockage, cancer, and gastroesophageal reflux.
How do you know when abdominal pain is serious?
You should seek immediate medical attention or go to the ER if you have:Constant or severe abdominal pain.Pain associated with a high fever.Changes in pain intensity or location, such as going from a dull ache to a sharp stab or starting in one area and radiating to another.More items...•
What are the three types of abdominal pain?
There are four types of abdominal pain: upper, lower, right-sided and left-sided.
Where is abdominal pain located?
Abdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.
When should I go to the hospital for abdominal pain?
Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if: your stomach ache came on very suddenly or is severe. it hurts when you touch your stomach. you're vomiting blood or your vomit looks like ground coffee. your poo is bloody or black and sticky and extremely smelly.
What type of infection can cause lower abdominal pain?
Here are 11 possible causes of lower abdominal pain and vaginal discharge.Bacterial vaginosis (BV) ... Human papillomavirus infection (HPV) ... Cervical cancer. ... Menstrual cramping. ... Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) ... Trichomoniasis. ... Yeast infection. ... Ectopic pregnancy.More items...
What is the best test for abdominal pain?
Common testing for abdominal pain includes blood tests, urine tests, and imaging studies like a CT scan or ultrasound. But all of these tests aren't always necessary to make — or rule out — a diagnosis. Not all abdominal pain needs a medical evaluation.
Which tablet is best for abdominal pain?
Drugs for Abdominal PainAluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Hydroxide. Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Hydroxide contains antacids, prescribed for preventing ulcers, heartburn relief, acid indigestion and stomach upsets. ... Aztreonam. ... Budesonide. ... Camylofin. ... Cefuroxime axetil. ... Doxycycline. ... Drotaverine. ... Famotidine.More items...
What tests are done for abdominal pain?
Your doctor may order tests such as urine, blood and stool tests; X-rays; a CT scan (computed tomography scan), ultrasound, barium swallow, and endoscopy.
How long does abdominal pain last?
Harmless abdominal pain usually subsides or goes away within two hours. Some of the common causes for stomach pain are from: Gas: Formed in the stomach and intestines as your body breaks down food, gas can cause general stomach pain and cramps. This often can be indicated by belching or flatulence.
What causes abdominal pain in females?
The most common cause of localized pain is stomach ulcers (open sores on the stomach's inner lining). Cramp-like pain may be associated with diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or flatulence. In people assigned female at birth, it can be associated with menstruation, miscarriage, or reproductive complications.
Can pain in lower abdomen be serious?
Causes of pain in the lower left abdomen may be benign, such as gas pain, or can be more serious, as in the case of an infection. People experiencing persistent or chronic pain in the lower abdomen should seek medical attention.
How do you know if something is wrong with your stomach?
Diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain are the most common signs of a stomach virus. Although it's called the stomach flu, this virus has nothing to do with the flu. These symptoms are caused by other viruses, most commonly norovirus. 7 Fever, headache, and body aches are other possible symptoms.
Can pain in lower abdomen be serious?
Causes of pain in the lower left abdomen may be benign, such as gas pain, or can be more serious, as in the case of an infection. People experiencing persistent or chronic pain in the lower abdomen should seek medical attention.
What does pancreatic pain feel like?
Acute pancreatitis signs and symptoms include: Upper abdominal pain. Abdominal pain that radiates to your back. Tenderness when touching the abdomen.
What test can be done for abdominal pain?
Common testing for abdominal pain includes blood tests, urine tests, and imaging studies like a CT scan or ultrasound. But all of these tests aren't always necessary to make — or rule out — a diagnosis. Not all abdominal pain needs a medical evaluation.
What is the pain in the abdomen?
Pain in the belly (abdomen) can come from conditions affecting a variety of organs. The abdomen is an anatomical area that is bounded by the lower margin of the ribs above, the pelvic bone (pubic ramus) below, and the flanks on each side.
Where does abdominal pain come from?
Although abdominal pain can arise from the tissues of the abdominal wall that surround the abdominal cavity (for example, skin and abdominal wall muscles), the term abdominal pain generally is used to describe pain originating from organs within the abdominal cavity (for example, beneath the skin and muscles).
What is abdominal adhesion?
Abdominal adhesions (scar tissue) bands of scar tissue that form between abdominal organs and tissues. Symptoms of abdominal adhesions are pelvic or abdominal pain. Abdominal adhesions on the intestines can cause bowel obstruction, which is a medical emergency.
Why is abdominal pain called referred pain?
This latter type of pain is called "referred" pain because the pain, though originating outside the abdomen, is being referred to (felt) in the abdominal area. Abdominal pain can be acute and sudden in onset, or the pain can be chronic and longstanding.
What are the symptoms of pancreatitis?
There are two types of pancreatitis: acute and chronic. Symptoms of pancreatitis include abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, and a rapid pulse. Treatment of pancreatitis often requires hospitalization.
What organs are affected by abdominal pain?
These organs include the stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. Occasionally, pain may be felt in the abdomen even though it is arising from organs that are close to but not within the abdominal cavity, for example, the lower lungs, the kidneys, and the uterus or ovaries.
How do you know if you have gallstones?
Gallstones are stones that form when substances in the bile harden. Gallstones (formed in the gallbladder) can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball. There can be just one large stone, hundreds of tiny stones, or any combination. The majority of gallstones do not cause signs or symptoms; however, when they do occur the primary sign is biliary colic. Symptoms of biliary colic are constant pain for 15 minutes to 4-5 hours, and it may vary in intensity; nausea, severe pain that does not worsen with movement; and pain beneath the sternum. Treatment of gallstones depends upon the patient and the clinical situation.
What is abdominal pain?
Abdominal pain is pain that occurs between the chest and pelvic regions. Abdominal pain can be crampy, achy, dull, intermittent or sharp. It’s also called a stomachache. Inflammation or diseases that affect the organs in the abdomen can cause abdominal pain. Major organs located in the abdomen include:
What is the pain in the abdomen?
Abdominal pain can be described as localized, cramp-like, or colicky. Localized pain is limited to one area of the abdomen. This type of pain is often caused by problems in a particular organ. The most common cause of localized pain is stomach ulcers (open sores on the inner lining of the stomach).
How to diagnose abdominal pain?
The cause of abdominal pain can be diagnosed through a series of tests. Before ordering tests, your doctor will do a physical examination. This includes gently pressing on various areas of your abdomen to check for tenderness and swelling.
Why does colicky pain go away?
This pain comes and goes, and may go away on its own without treatment. Colicky pain is a symptom of more severe conditions, such as gallstones or kidney stones.
What causes pain in the lower abdomen?
ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that occurs outside the womb) 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.
What tests are used to diagnose abdominal pain?
Imaging tests, such as MRI scans, ultrasounds, and X-rays, are used to view organs, tissues, and other structures in the abdomen in detail.
What is the appendix?
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.
What causes abdominal pain?
Causes of progressive abdominal pain include: Cancer. Crohn's disease (a type of inflammatory bowel disease) Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly) Gallbladder cancer. Hepatitis.
How long does abdominal pain last?
Chronic abdominal pain may be intermittent (episodic), meaning it may come and go. This type of pain may be present for weeks to months, or even years. Some chronic conditions cause progressive pain, which steadily gets worse over time.
Is abdominal pain episodic or chronic?
Chronic (intermittent, or episodic) The specific cause of chronic abdominal pain is often difficult to determine. Symptoms may range from mild to severe, coming and going but not necessarily worsening over time.
What are the symptoms of abdominal pain?
Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, constipation, bloating, gas, and abdominal cramping or tenderness. Other possible symptoms include blood in the stool or urine, abdominal masses, testicular pain, back pain, pain with urination, ...
Why does my abdomen hurt?
Abdominal pain in adults has many different causes. These can include infections of the gastrointestinal tract, peptic ulcer disease, pancreatitis, diverticulitis, appendicitis, hepatitis, gallbladder disease, and kidney stones.
What are the symptoms of a swollen abdomen?
Seek immediate medical help if pain is accompanied by other worrisome signs and symptoms, including: Severe pain. Fever. Bloody stools. Persistent nausea and vomiting. Weight loss. Skin that appears yellow. Severe tenderness when you touch your abdomen. Swelling of the abdomen.
Can abdominal pain be chronic?
It may be continuous or come and go. Abdominal pain can be short-lived (acute) or occur over weeks, months or years (chronic). Call your doctor right away if you have abdominal pain so severe that you can't move without causing more pain, or you can't sit still or find a comfortable position.
What does it mean when your gut hurts?
Doctors have different words to describe the different types of pain you can feel in the gut. Very broadly, pains may be sharp or stabbing, crampy, colicky or a general dull ache. Colicky means gradually becoming worse, then easing off again. This may happen repeatedly.
What is the abdominal area?
The abdomen is that part of your body which is below your ribs and above your hips. Some people call it the tummy, trunk, belly or gut. When you have a pain in that area, doctors will call it abdominal pain. However, other popular terms for abdominal pain include tummy pain, tummy ache, stomach ache, stomach pain, gut ache, belly ache and gut rot.
Why does my stomach hurt so bad?
Abdominal Pain. Pain in the stomach (abdomen) is common. Usually it doesn't last long and is often due to a gut infection or a small upset - but there are many other possible causes. Pain that is severe or doesn't settle quickly may need attention from a doctor.
How to know if you have kidney stones?
Pain that starts in your back and seems to travel around the side of your abdomen to your groin, may be a kidney stone. The pain is severe and comes and goes. This is called renal colic. The pain goes when the stone is passed. Sometimes the stone cannot be passed and you may need to have the stone broken into small pieces at the local hospital. There may be blood in your urine too. See the separate leaflet called Kidney Stones for more details.
Why does my gut hurt?
Cancer. People often worry that gut pain is caused by cancer. If you have pain that doesn't settle quickly or with simple remedies, then you should go and see your doctor. Some of the questions they ask will be to make sure there is not any serious cause, such as cancer, for the pain you are having.
How long does it take for appendicitis to get worse?
Appendicitis is quite common. Typical symptoms include abdominal pain and being sick (vomiting) that gradually become worse over 6-24 hours. The pain usually starts in the middle of the abdomen but over time seems to move towards the right hip. Some people have less typical symptoms.
How long does biliary colic pain last?
Pain from biliary colic can last for just a few minutes but, more commonly, lasts for several hours.
How long does abdominal pain last?
There are several types of abdominal pain, which are based on how quickly your pain starts and how long it lasts: 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.
What to do if your stomach hurts but doesn't go away?
If your abdominal pain is serious, doesn't go away, or keeps coming back, talk to your doctor. Call 911 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.
How do you know if you're dehydrated?
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. Also call your doctor if: Your belly is tender to the touch.
What is the term for a swollen artery in the belly?
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.
Does aspirin cause stomach pain?
These tests may include: 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. Some diet and lifestyle changes may help belly pain caused by gas and indigestion.
What does it mean when your abdomen hurts?
A sudden pain in the lower part of the abdomen may be signs of appendicitis. It may also be accompanied by a fever. Pain often begins around the belly button area and becomes worse with time. Vomiting or constipation or diarrhea along with the pain also indicate it's time to go to the emergency room. "If the pain is persistent and comes on rather suddenly over several hours or a day you should be seen by a doctor that day," says Arthur. Appendicitis often requires surgery. If left untreated, a ruptured appendix can be deadly.
What is the pain in the lower stomach area?
Pain that wraps around the lower stomach area, commonly accompanied by nausea,vomiting, fever and chills, may be a sign of kidney stones. Ultrasound or a CT scan is used to diagnose the stone, and NSAIDs provide some pain relief, says Glatter. "Rescue narcotics (potent, immediate relief drugs) may be required to relieve continued pain," says Glatter. "Alpha blockers (medications used to relax blood vessels and lead to increased blood flow) may also be helpful in allowing larger stones to pass."
What does it mean when your right lower abdomen hurts?
"Such pain could also indicate ovarian torsion (rotation of the ovary and portion of the fallopian tube), or even a twisted ovary as a result of a compromised blood supply." Seek treatment immediately at the nearest emergency department. Surgery to remove the ovary may be required.
Why does my stomach hurt after eating?
1. Severe stomach pain after eating a fatty meal. If you find yourself doubled over after eating a high-fat meal, you may be experiencing a gallbladder attack. "Women are especially prone to gallbladder disease," says Hardeep Singh, MD, gastroenterologist from St. Joseph Hospital, Orange, CA.
Can a heart attack cause nausea?
In older patients, vague upper and mid-abdominal pain associated with nausea, burping and belching could be signs of a heart attack, says Robert Glatter, MD, emergency physician at Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, and national spokesman for the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). "Obtaining a simple ECG and even ordering cardiac markers known as troponin may be lifesaving." Vomiting that occurs with back or jaw pain and shortness of breath may also indicate a life threatening emergency.