What are common reasons behind abdominal pain?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Abdominal pain has many possible causes, ranging from common digestive issues like gas, indigestion, or constipation, to infections such as gastroenteritis or urinary tract infections. In some cases, it may signal a more serious condition like appendicitis, gallstones, kidney stones, or ulcers. The location, duration, and severity of the pain often provide important clues about the underlying cause.

Because abdominal pain can stem from so many different sources, self-diagnosis can be difficult and delaying care may worsen certain conditions. Taking a free, instant, online symptom check can help you quickly identify possible causes, understand the urgency of your symptoms, and confidently determine your next steps—whether that's home care or seeing a doctor.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Learn what’s causing your abdominal pain Discover if abdominal pain needs care Find out if abdominal pain is serious See OTC options for abdominal pain Find a doctor for abdominal pain Understand home remedies for abdominal pain Check likely causes of stomach pain

Not seeing your question? No worries.

Submit your own Question

Explanation

Abdominal pain is a common issue that can happen for many reasons. It can be caused by simple problems like gas or indigestion, which are usually not serious. Sometimes, it can be due to infections, like a stomach virus or food poisoning.

Common Causes:

Digestive Problems: These include things like constipation, diarrhea, or acid reflux.
Infections: Stomach bugs or urinary tract infections can cause pain.
Inflammation: Conditions like appendicitis or pancreatitis can lead to severe pain.
Obstructions: Blockages in the intestines can cause pain and are serious.
Gallstones or Kidney Stones: These can cause sharp pain that may come and go.

It's important to pay attention to the type of pain and any other symptoms you might have. If the pain is severe, lasts a long time, or comes with other symptoms like fever or vomiting, you can use our free AI symptom checker to help understand what might be causing your discomfort and determine if you should see a doctor.

(References)

Yew KS, George MK, & Allred HB. (2023). Acute Abdominal Pain in Adults: Evaluation and Diagnosis. American family physician, 37327158.
Marincek B. (2002). acute abdominal pain: diagnostic strategies. European radiology, 12195463.
Flasar MH, & Goldberg E. (2006). Acute abdominal pain. The Medical clinics of North America, 16473101.

Thinking about asking ChatGPT?Ask me instead

Tell your friends about us.

We would love to help them too.

For First Time Users

What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?

We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.

Was this page helpful?

Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor's Note is a service for informational purposes. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.