Medically reviewed and approved by a board-certified member
Acid Reflux / GERD

Fifteen possible causes of abdominal pain

BS Media
By BS Media Twitter Profile
Published: Saturday, 08 July 2017
BS
Login to get unlimited free access
Table of contents
  1. What is abdominal pain?
  2. Common causes and symptoms
  3. Uncommon causes
  4. When to see a doctor
Abdominal pain refers to discomfort in the space between the chest and pelvis. Most cases of abdominal pain are mild and have a variety of common causes, so much as dyspepsia or muscle strain.

Symptoms often resolve quickly on their own or with basic treatment. Abdominal pain, especially with severe or degenerative symptoms, can besides be a sign of more serious underlying medical conditions, including cancer or organ failure.

Sudden and severe or durable abdominal pain may require immediate medical treatment.

Fast facts on abdominal pain:
  • Digestive problems are considered the most common cause of abdominal pain.
  • Most cases resolve on their own without medical attention.
  • Sudden or intense pain requires immediate medical attention.
  • Over-the-counter medication can alleviate symptoms of mild abdominal pain.

What is abdominal pain?


Nausea, vomit, and a loose stool may accompany abdominal pain if the cause is gastroenteritis.

Digestive problems are considered the most common cause of abdominal pain. Discomfort or irregularities in any organ or part of the abdomen can cause pain that radiates throughout the entire area.

galore people refer to abdominal pain simply as a stomach ache. nevertheless, the abdomen contains galore vital variety meat, muscles, blood vessels, and connective tissues that include:

  • stomach
  • kidneys
  • liver
  • small and large bowels
  • the appendix
  • pancreas
  • gallbladder
  • spleen

The main artery of the heart (aorta) and some other heart vein (inferior vein cava) pass through the abdomen too. The abdomen is besides home to the core muscles, the four groups of abdominal muscles that give the trunk stability and keep variety meat in place and protected.

Because there are a lot of areas that can be affected, abdominal pain may have galore causes.

Common causes and symptoms

Abdominal pain is a common complaint and can be caused or complex by a variety of factors.

Common causes include:

1. stomach flu (stomach flu)


Abdominal pain may be caused by constipation, which puts pressure on the colon.

In this case, the abdominal pain is often attended by nausea, vomit, and loose, fluid-filled stools that occur much sooner and more often than normal after eating.

Bacteria or viruses cause most cases, and symptoms normally resolve inside a few years. Symptoms that last thirster than 2 years may be a sign of more serious health problems, so much as infection or inflammatory conditions, so much as inflammatory bowel illness.

Common symptoms include:

  • nausea
  • vomit
  • fever
  • abdominal cramping
  • bloating
  • gas

2. Gas

Gas occurs when bacterium in the small bowel break down foods that the body finds intolerant. An accrued pressure of gas in the bowel can cause sharp pain. Gas can besides cause tightness or restriction in the abdomen and flatulence or belching.

3. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

For unknown reasons, those with IBS are less able to digest certain foods or types of foods.

Abdominal pain is the primary symptom for galore people with IBS and is often alleviated after a bowel movement. Other common symptoms include gas, nausea, cramping, and bloating.

4. Acid reflux

Occasionally stomach acids travel backward, moving up into the throat. This reflux about always causes a burning sensation and attendant pain. Acid reflux besides causes abdominal symptoms, so much as bloating or cramps.

5. Vomiting

Vomiting often causes abdominal pain as stomach acids travel backward through the digestive tract, irritating tissues on the way. The physical act of vomit besides may cause abdominal muscles to become sore.

6. Gastritis

When the stomach lining becomes inflamed or swollen, pain may occur. Nausea, vomit, gas, and bloating are other common symptoms of gastritis.

7. Food intolerances

When the body is unable to digest food materials, they are broken down by enteric and stomach bacterium, which release gas in the process. When large amounts of undigested materials are present, a lot of gas is produced, causation pressure and pain.

Nausea, vomit, bloating, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain are other symptoms.

8. Constipation

When the bowel becomes backed up with waste, the pressure on the colon is accrued, which may cause pain.

9. internal organ reflux illness (GERD)

GERD can cause abdominal pain as well as pyrosis and nausea.

10. Stomach or organic process ulcers

Ulcers or wounds that will not heal tend to cause severe and persistent abdominal pain.

The most common causes of stomach and organic process ulcers are the bacterium H. pylori and the overuse or continuing use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug medications (NSAIDS).

11. Crohn's illness

Crohn's causes inflammation of the digestive tract lining, which results in pain, gas, diarrhoea, nausea, vomit, and bloating. Given its degenerative nature, the condition may lead to deficiency disease, causation weight loss and exhaustion.

12. Celiac illness

An allergic reaction to macromolecule, a macromolecule found in galore grains, so much as wheat and barley, causes inflammation in the small bowel, consequent in pain.

Diarrhea and bloating are besides common symptoms. Over time, deficiency disease can occur, consequent in weight loss and exhaustion.

13. Pulled or strained muscles

Because galore daily activities require the use of the abdominal muscles, injury or strain is common. galore people besides focus heavily on abdominal exercises, increasing the risk of damage.

14. catamenial cramps or adenomyosis

Menstruation can cause inflammation and pain in the abdomen. Bloating, gas, cramping, and constipation can besides occur during menses, causation abdominal discomfort.

Women who have adenomyosis may experience more severe or degenerative inflammation and pain.

15. Urinary tract and bladder infections

Urinary tract infections are most often caused by bacterium, primarily E.coli species, that colonize the duct and bladder, causation a bladder infection or cystitis.

Symptoms include pain, pressure, and bloating in the lower abdominal area. Most infections besides cause painful micturition and cloudy, strong-scented urine.

Uncommon causes

In some cases, abdominal pain is a sign of a medical condition that can be fatal without immediate medical care.

Less common causes of abdominal pain include:

  • appendicitis (burst appendix) or any other burst abdominal organ
  • kidney infection, illness, or stones
  • hepatitis (inflammation of the liver)
  • gallbladder stones (hard deposits in the gallbladder)
  • food poisoning
  • parasitic infections
  • abdominal organ infection or infarct (when the organ dies due to lack of blood supply)
  • cardiac conditions, so much as atypical angina or symptom heart failure
  • organ cancer, notably stomach, exocrine gland, or bowel cancer
  • hiatal hernia
  • cysts that have become invasive or compromise organ space or function

When to see a doctor

Most cases of abdominal pain are not serious, and symptoms resolve with basic home care, so much as rest and association, inside hours to years.

galore medications available over-the-counter or online, so much as antacids and gas medications, besides help reduce and manage symptoms.


Over-the-counter antacids may help to manage symptoms of abdominal pain.

Acute (sudden and severe) or degenerative (durable) abdominal pain, nevertheless, are often signs of conditions that do require medical attention and treatment.

Symptoms that require medical attention include:

  • unexplained weight loss
  • unexplained exhaustion
  • changes or disturbances in bowel movements, so much as degenerative constipation or diarrhoea, that do not resolve inside a few hours or years
  • minor body part (anal) hemorrhage or blood in stool
  • unusual duct discharge
  • degenerative pain that continues after taking over-the-counter medications or returns after stopping prescribed medication
  • signs of urinary tract infection

Symptoms that require emergency care include:

  • sudden, severe pain, especially if attended by a fever over 102°F
  • severe pain that is very concentrated
  • bloody or black stool that may be sticky
  • uncontrollable vomit, especially if vomit includes blood
  • the abdomen is extremely painful and sensitive to the touch
  • being unable to urinate
  • fainting or becoming unconscious
  • pain that gets undramatically worse quickly
  • pain in the chest, especially around the ribs, extending into the abdomen
  • severe abdominal pain that improves with lying very still

Though rare, it is important for people experiencing these symptoms to seek emergency medical attention.

Was this page helpful?
(0 votes)
End of the article