Stomach pain may be caused by a variety of issues, from gas to more serious conditions like appendicitis or Crohn’s disease. Noting the severity and area of the abdomen affected can help with a diagnosis.
Abdominal pain occurs between the chest and pelvic regions. It’s sometimes described as crampy, achy, dull, intermittent, or sharp.
It’s the most common gastrointestinal symptom in the United States, affecting up to
.
Abdominal pain is usually short-term and will go away on its own with lifestyle and dietary modifications.
However, it could also be chronic or a symptom of a serious, life threatening condition that requires medical attention.
Keep reading to learn more about the types, causes, and treatments of abdominal pain.
There are four different types of abdominal pain:
Acute abdominal pain may last up to
.
Chronic abdominal pain lasts for at least
.
Progressive abdominal pain worsens over time and is generally accompanied by other symptoms.
Intermittent abdominal pain comes and goes. You may feel fine one moment but soon experience sharp, sudden pain.
Healthcare professionals separate the abdomen into
to better understand and diagnose abdominal conditions.
Pain in the following abdominal quadrants may be a sign of some of the following health conditions:
: diverticulitis, kidney stones, kidney infection (
), ovarian cyst, hernia, and ectopic pregnancy
: appendicitis, Crohn’s disease,
, ovarian cyst, hernia, and
: GERD, peptic ulcers, pancreatitis, enlarged spleen (
)
: GERD,
, hepatitis, and peptic ulcers
It’s important to note this is not a complete list of conditions that may cause pain in each abdominal quadrant. Some conditions may also affect multiple quadrants or the whole abdomen.
If you experience abdominal pain that doesn’t go away, speak with a healthcare professional. They could provide a proper diagnosis and develop a treatment plan for you.
Mild abdominal pain may go away without treatment. For example, if you’re experiencing abdominal pain because of gas or bloating, it may simply need to run its course.
However, abdominal pain may also be a sign of a health condition that requires medical treatment.
Call 911 or get immediate medical attention if you experience sudden, severe abdominal pain and any of the
:
black, tarry, or bloody stools
constipation
difficulty urinating
Make an appointment with a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
prolonged constipation, diarrhea, bloating, or stomach pain
difficulty eating foods
peeing more or less often
pain when urinating
fever
abnormal
loss of appetite
Call a doctor if you’re pregnant or nursing and you experience abdominal pain.
To diagnose abdominal pain, a healthcare professional will first perform a
. This includes gently pressing on various abdomen areas to check for tenderness and swelling.
They will also ask questions about your symptoms, such as:
Where exactly are you feeling the pain?
Has the pain always been in this one location, or has it moved?
How severe is the pain?
Is the pain constant, or does it come and go in waves?
What were you doing when the pain began?
Is there a time of day when the pain is the worst?
When was your last bowel movement?
Do you have regular bowel movements?
Have you noticed any changes in your urine?
Have you made any major changes to your diet?
People of reproductive age who were assigned female at birth may also be asked questions about their sexual and menstruation history.
A doctor may then order several tests to help make a diagnosis. These may
:
imaging tests, such as
,
, and
Treatment for abdominal pain will depend on the underlying cause but may include a combination of natural remedies, medications, and, in some cases, surgery.
For instance, short-term abdominal pain caused by bloating may not require any medical treatment. Some over-the-counter (OTC) medications may also
abdominal pain like cramps, bloating, and nausea.
However, acute pain caused by appendicitis may require
and removing your appendix (
).
A healthcare professional will help develop the best treatment plan for you.
How to reduce stomach pain?
Treatment for stomach pain will depend on the underlying condition. This may include a combination of natural remedies, OTC drugs, prescription medications, and, in rare cases, surgery.
How do I know if my stomach pain is serious?
Get immediate medical attention if you experience sudden, severe stomach pain that is accompanied by trouble breathing, chest pain, black, bloody, and tarry stools, or vomiting.
What is the best over-the-counter medication for stomach pain?
Some over-the-counter medications for stomach pain, cramps, and bloating include
and
.
What to drink to settle the stomach?
Beverages that may help settle your stomach include chamomile, ginger, lemon, and peppermint teas.
Abdominal pain may be caused by many conditions, but it’s often not serious
Speak with a doctor if the pain doesn’t improve after a few days. If you experience severe pain suddenly, get immediate medical attention.
A doctor could help provide a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.