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Published on: 4/7/2025

What Could Be the Causes of Severe Abdominal Pain and Vomiting?

Severe abdominal pain and vomiting may be caused by stomach and intestinal infections, pancreas or gallbladder inflammation, stomach ulcers, or an intestinal blockage.

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Explanation

Severe abdominal pain accompanied by vomiting indicates significant distress in your digestive system. A common cause is gastroenteritis, an infection that inflames your stomach and intestines. This condition triggers severe cramps and vomiting as your immune system fights the infection. Pancreatitis—inflammation of the pancreas, a digestive gland near your stomach—is another possible cause. This condition can trigger intense pain in your upper abdomen along with nausea and vomiting. Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder) is another serious condition that can cause severe abdominal pain and vomiting, especially after eating fatty foods. The pain typically occurs in the upper right abdomen and may radiate to the back or right shoulder. A perforated ulcer, which is a hole in the stomach or upper intestine, can also cause severe pain and vomiting as your body. Even ulcers that have not perforated can cause quite severe pain. An intestinal blockage can also cause stomach contents to back up, resulting in pain and vomiting. There can be many other causes of severe abdominal pain and vomiting. Ultimately, whenever pain is severe, it may indicate a serious condition and you should seek immediate medical attention to determine the cause and begin appropriate treatment.

(References)

  • Sherman R. Abdominal Pain. In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, editors. Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd edition. Boston: Butterworths; 1990. Chapter 86. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK412/

  • Graves NS. Acute gastroenteritis. Prim Care. 2013 Sep;40(3):727-41. doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2013.05.006. Epub 2013 Jul 19. PMID: 23958366; PMCID: PMC7119329.

  • Grigorian A, Lin MYC, de Virgilio C. Severe Epigastric Pain with Nausea and Vomiting. Surgery. 2019 May 3:227–37. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-05387-1_20. PMCID: PMC7123429.

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