Why might I keep experiencing abdominal pain?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Abdominal pain has many possible causes, including stress, systemic illnesses, and chronic conditions such as IBS, ulcers, or inflammatory bowel disease. Ongoing or recurring pain should not be ignored, as it can signal an underlying issue that needs attention. Identifying the root cause early helps guide effective treatment and prevents complications.

If you're experiencing persistent abdominal pain, the smartest next step is understanding what may be behind it. A free, instant, online symptom check can help you evaluate your symptoms in minutes, offer possible causes, and guide you on when to seek care—empowering you to take informed action about your health.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Learn likely causes of recurrent abdominal pain Find out if your abdominal pain needs care Discover if recurring stomach pain is serious See over-the-counter relief for abdominal pain Find a doctor for abdominal pain Understand medically valid remedies for stomach pain Check what’s causing recurring abdominal pain

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Explanation

Abdominal pain can have many causes, and understanding them can help you manage the pain better.

1. Stress: Stress can cause or worsen abdominal pain. When you are stressed, your body might react by making your stomach hurt. If you think stress is a problem, talking to someone or finding ways to relax can help. For more help with stress, visit 988lifeline.org.

2. Systemic Causes: Sometimes, problems in other parts of your body can cause your stomach to hurt. This is called a systemic cause. For example, issues with your heart or lungs might make your belly hurt.

3. Chronic Conditions: Chronic abdominal pain means your stomach hurts for a long time. This can be due to conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other digestive problems. If your stomach hurts a lot and it doesn't go away, it's good to talk to a doctor.

Understanding these causes can help you and your doctor find the best way to make your stomach feel better. To get personalized insights about your symptoms right now, try our free AI-powered symptom checker to help identify what might be causing your discomfort.

(References)

Alfvén G, & Andersson E. (2023). Stress and recurrent abdominal pain. Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992), 37565357.
Fields JM, & Dean AJ. (2011). Systemic causes of abdominal pain. Emergency medicine clinics of North America, 21515176.
Sabo CM, Grad S, & Dumitrascu DL. (2021). Chronic Abdominal Pain in General Practice. Digestive diseases (Basel, Switzerland), 33631744.

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