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Published on: 3/17/2025

Is It Normal to Experience Abdominal Pain?

Abdominal pain is a common experience that can occur for lots of reasons, and in many cases, it is not a sign of a serious health problem.

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Explanation

Many people experience occasional abdominal pain. The pain might be mild and come from common causes such as gas, indigestion, or a pulled muscle. Research shows that many individuals experience abdominal pain and it is one of the most common reasons for people to visit an emergency department. However, while occasional mild pain is generally not a concern, the context and nature of the pain are important to consider. For instance, if the pain is severe, persistent, or comes with other symptoms like fever, vomiting, or sudden changes in bowel movements, it might be a sign of something that needs further evaluation by a healthcare provider. Listening to your body and noting where the pain is, how intense it is, and whether it interferes with your daily activities can be very helpful for determining its significance. If you are ever worried about your symptoms or if the pain worsens, it's best to seek advice from a doctor.

(References)

  • Macaluso CR, McNamara RM. Evaluation and management of acute abdominal pain in the emergency department. Int J Gen Med. 2012;5:789-97. doi: 10.2147/IJGM.S25936. Epub 2012 Sep 26. PMID: 23055768; PMCID: PMC3468117.

  • Mehta H. Abdominal Pain. Clinical Pathways in Emergency Medicine. 2016 Feb 22:329–45. doi: 10.1007/978-81-322-2710-6_26. PMCID: PMC7121692.

  • Lakhoo K, Almario CV, Khalil C, Spiegel BMR. Prevalence and Characteristics of Abdominal Pain in the United States. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021 Sep;19(9):1864-1872.e5. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2020.06.065. Epub 2020 Jul 3. PMID: 32629129; PMCID: PMC7779743.

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