Abdominal Pain
Free Symptom Checker
with Physician-supervised AI
Reviewed By:
Samantha Nazareth, MD (Gastroenterology)
Board-certified gastroenterologist. Experience managing gastrointestinal conditions (GERD, IBS, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s, celiac disease, NASH) within healthcare organizations (three ambulatory surgical centers, single-specialty practice, multi-specialty practice and solo practice).
Aiko Yoshioka, MD (Gastroenterology)
Dr. Yoshioka graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine. He worked as a gastroenterologist at Saiseikai Niigata Hospital and Niigata University Medical & Dental Hospital before serving as the Deputy Chief of Gastroenterology at Tsubame Rosai Hospital and Nagaoka Red Cross Hospital. Dr. Yoshioka joined Saitama Saiseikai Kawaguchi General Hospital as Chief of Gastroenterology in April 2018.
Content updated on Nov 22, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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Try one of these related symptoms.
Stomachache
I have lower abdominal pain
I have left lower abdominal pain
Pain in the lower right stomach
Upper left abdominal pain
Upper right abdominal pain
Have periodic abdominal pain
Have pelvic pain
Sharp abdominal pain
Stomach pain with diarrhea
Localized abdominal pain
Flank pain
How Ubie Can Help You
With a free 3-min Abdominal Pain quiz, powered by Ubie's AI and doctors, find possible causes of your symptoms.
This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.
History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
Your symptoms
Our AI
Your report
Your personal report will tell you
✔ When to see a doctor
✔︎ What causes your symptoms
✔︎ Treatment information etc.
People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- Pit of the stomach has burning sensation
- Stomach discomfort and grouchiness comes and goes with fussiness / grouchiness
- Child starts crying or pushes me away if I try to massage the stomachache area
- I ate something in the previous 3 days that might be causing symptoms
- Child can't move around much because it makes the stomach pain worse
- Lower stomach pain that goes away after having a bowel movement
- Stomach looks swollen and bloated up whenever the pain occurs
- Stomach pain when standing on tiptoe then dropping to heels
- Standing on tiptoes then dropping heels causes stomach pain
- Stomach pain is worse when letting go than when pressing
- Pain spreading from the stomach to the surrounding area
- Pushing lightly on the stomach cause muscles to stiffen
- Cannot take a deep breath because of stomach pain pain
- Sharp or stabbing stomach pain exacerbated by walking
- Frequent bowel movements associated with stomach pain
See full list
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
Try Free Symptom QuizAbout the Symptom
Abdominal pain is a painful sensation in the abdominal area. The abdominal area is the part between the chest and pelvis, often called the belly, tummy, stomach. The pain may be pressing, aching, cramping, sharp or dull in nature.
When to See a Doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
- Intermenstrual bleeding
- Jaundice
- Fever
- Sensation of incomplete voiding
- Melena (black stools)
- Edema
- Recent weight loss
- Constipation
Possible Causes
Generally, Abdominal pain can be related to:
- Cholelithiasis
Gallbladder stones or pieces of solid material that form in the gallbladder. Many people have gallbladder stones without any symptoms for their entire lives. Severe cases may require surgery.
Acute Porphyria
Acute porphyria refers to a group of rare genetic disorders affecting heme production, leading to a range of symptoms.
- Ovulation Bleeding
Ovulation is the process when the ovary releases an egg as part of the normal female reproductive cycle. It typically happens in the middle of a menstrual cycle (about 2 weeks after the end of the period). At the time of ovulation, some women may feel some cramping or lower abdominal pain that resolves by itself. This is called mid-cycle pain (mittelschmerz), and it can occasionally cause some mild bleeding or spotting along with it. If there is no other cause for the pain or bleeding, this is not considered to be harmful.
Related Serious Diseases
Sometimes, Abdominal pain may be related to these serious diseases:
- Acute Appendicitis
Acute appendicitis happens when the appendix (a small, tube-like structure attached to a part of the colon) gets inflamed. This usually occurs because the appendix gets clogged with fecal material or calcium. The appendix swells with inflammation and becomes infected with gut bacteria. It can affect anyone and is most common in young adults.
- Intestinal Perforation
- Ischemic Enteritis
- Acute Abdomen
- Bowel obstruction
- Torsion of Ovarian Cyst
- Peritonitis
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Do you have a stomach ache?
- How long have you had abdominal pain this time?
- How quickly did your abdominal pain develop?
- Have you had abdominal pain before?
- On a scale of 1-10, how bad was the pain in your tummy (abdominal pain)?
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
Try Free Symptom QuizFAQs
Q.
When Should I See a Doctor for an Upset Stomach?
A.
Generally, you should see a doctor if you are: 1. Unable to keep any liquids down for more than a day at a time 2. Develop fevers and intensely worsening abdominal pain 3. Notice blood in your stools or vomit.
References:
Viniol A, Keunecke C, Biroga T, Stadje R, Dornieden K, Bösner S, Donner-Banzhoff N, Haasenritter J, Becker A. Studies of the symptom abdominal pain--a systematic review and meta-analysis. Fam Pract. 2014 Oct;31(5):517-29. doi: 10.1093/fampra/cmu036. Epub 2014 Jul 1. PMID: 24987023.
Q.
How Can Daily Habits Improve an Upset Stomach?
A.
Eat in moderation, avoid heavy drinking and exercise moderately.
References:
Rinninella E, Cintoni M, Raoul P, Lopetuso LR, Scaldaferri F, Pulcini G, Miggiano GAD, Gasbarrini A, Mele MC. Food Components and Dietary Habits: Keys for a Healthy Gut Microbiota Composition. Nutrients. 2019 Oct 7;11(10):2393. doi: 10.3390/nu11102393. PMID: 31591348; PMCID: PMC6835969.
Garcidueñas-Fimbres TE, Paz-Graniel I, Nishi SK, Salas-Salvadó J, Babio N. Eating Speed, Eating Frequency, and Their Relationships with Diet Quality, Adiposity, and Metabolic Syndrome, or Its Components. Nutrients. 2021 May 15;13(5):1687. doi: 10.3390/nu13051687. PMID: 34063439; PMCID: PMC8156274.
Clauss M, Gérard P, Mosca A, Leclerc M. Interplay Between Exercise and Gut Microbiome in the Context of Human Health and Performance. Front Nutr. 2021 Jun 10;8:637010. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2021.637010. PMID: 34179053; PMCID: PMC8222532.
Bonilla DA, Pérez-Idárraga A, Odriozola-Martínez A, Kreider RB. The 4R's Framework of Nutritional Strategies for Post-Exercise Recovery: A Review with Emphasis on New Generation of Carbohydrates. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Dec 25;18(1):103. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18010103. PMID: 33375691; PMCID: PMC7796021.
de Oliveira EP, Burini RC. The impact of physical exercise on the gastrointestinal tract. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2009 Sep;12(5):533-8. doi: 10.1097/MCO.0b013e32832e6776. PMID: 19535976.
Q.
What Are the Possible Causes of an Upset Stomach?
A.
Commonly, an upset stomach is caused by gas or bloating from benign causes like poor digestion of certain foods or additives.
References:
Hasler WL. Gas and Bloating. Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2006 Sep;2(9):654-662. PMID: 28316536; PMCID: PMC5350578.
Q.
When I Feel the Pain in the Left Side of the Abdomen What Are Some Possible Causes?
A.
A wide ranges of diseases can cause left-sided abdominal pain that often involve the underlying organs in that area.
References:
Yew KS, George MK, Allred HB. Acute Abdominal Pain in Adults: Evaluation and Diagnosis. Am Fam Physician. 2023 Jun;107(6):585-596. PMID: 37327158.
Sabo CM, Grad S, Dumitrascu DL. Chronic Abdominal Pain in General Practice. Dig Dis. 2021;39(6):606-614. doi: 10.1159/000515433. Epub 2021 Feb 25. PMID: 33631744.
Q.
What Are the Possible Causes of Stomach Ache When Lying Down on Your Back Facing Up?
A.
Stomach pain in the back when lying down facing up can be a result of stomach gas/bloating, positional discomfort or less commonly a disease of the pancreas and surrounding organs.
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.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK412/
Mealie CA, Ali R, Manthey DE. Abdominal Examination. [Updated 2024 May 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.
Q.
What Are the Possible Causes of Abdominal Pain?
A.
Causes of abdominal pain run the gamut from benign to life-threatening. It may be a pulled or strained abdominal wall muscle, damaged nerve, broken bone or issues with internal organs.
References:
Govender I, Rangiah S, Bongongo T, Mahuma P. A Primary Care Approach to Abdominal Pain in Adults. S Afr Fam Pract (2004). 2021 Mar 10;63(1):e1-e5. doi: 10.4102/safp.v63i1.5280. PMID: 33764143; PMCID: PMC8378095.
Yew KS, George MK, Allred HB. Acute Abdominal Pain in Adults: Evaluation and Diagnosis. Am Fam Physician. 2023 Jun;107(6):585-596. PMID: 37327158.
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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/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK412/
Reviewed By:
Samantha Nazareth, MD (Gastroenterology)
Board-certified gastroenterologist. Experience managing gastrointestinal conditions (GERD, IBS, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s, celiac disease, NASH) within healthcare organizations (three ambulatory surgical centers, single-specialty practice, multi-specialty practice and solo practice).
Aiko Yoshioka, MD (Gastroenterology)
Dr. Yoshioka graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine. He worked as a gastroenterologist at Saiseikai Niigata Hospital and Niigata University Medical & Dental Hospital before serving as the Deputy Chief of Gastroenterology at Tsubame Rosai Hospital and Nagaoka Red Cross Hospital. Dr. Yoshioka joined Saitama Saiseikai Kawaguchi General Hospital as Chief of Gastroenterology in April 2018.
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