Imaging tests, like MRI scansGut-brain axis connectionand X-rays Symptoms of abdominal cramps, Symptom used to view organs, tissues, and other structures in Crmps abdomen in detail. If you wish to check on a problem Symptoms of abdominal cramps abfominal you have already reported, contact DfI Roads. It is DKA symptoms and diabetic neuropathy likely adbominal be a sign of a problem in an organ, such as the appendix, gallbladder, or stomach. Eating enough fibre and doing regular exercise can help prevent constipation and keep your bowels working well, which will prevent some forms of abdominal pain. Abdominal pain sometimes called stomachache or bellyache is usually felt in the part of the trunk below the ribs, above the pelvis and the groin. Colicky Pain Like cramping, this type of pain comes and goes, but tends to be severe and to start and end suddenly. Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Symptoms of abdominal cramps -

Examples are trauma such as a sporting injury or car accident, recent medication such as anti-inflammatories or antibiotics, or heavier than usual alcohol intake, which might trigger pancreatitis.

Blood in the urine, together with flank pain pain between the pelvis and the ribs , point to kidney stones. Vomiting with pain in the centre of the abdomen can point to a small bowel obstruction. Severe constipation with pain in the side may point to a large bowel obstruction.

Recent surgery to the bowel or other abdominal organs might result in complications, such as infection, that could cause abdominal pain. Scarring to the tissue surrounding the bowel, or adhesions, can be caused by surgery or radiation therapy and trigger bowel obstruction.

If you do have tests, the doctor will explain the results to you. Some results may take a number of days to come back and these will be sent to your local doctor. Most abdominal pain goes away without special treatment.

Be guided by your doctor, but there are some things you can do to help ease the pain, including:. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:.

Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional.

The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances.

The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. Digestive system. Home Digestive system. Abdominal pain in adults.

Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. About abdominal pain When to see a doctor about abdominal pain Symptoms of abdominal pain in adults Causes of abdominal pain in adults Diagnosis of abdominal pain in adults Treatment for abdominal pain in adults Taking care of yourself at home Where to get help.

About abdominal pain Abdominal pain is pain felt anywhere from below your ribs to your pelvis. When to see a doctor about abdominal pain Go straight to your doctor or the emergency department of the nearest hospital if you have any of the following: severe pain pain lasting for several hours pain or vaginal bleeding if you are pregnant pain in your scrotum if you are a male pain and vomiting or shortness of breath pain and vomiting blood blood in your bowel motions or urine pain that spreads to your chest, neck or shoulder fever and sweats become pale and clammy unable to pass urine unable to move your bowels or pass gas any other concerns.

Symptoms of abdominal pain in adults The type of pain can vary greatly. Causes of abdominal pain in adults There are many reasons why you may have pain in your abdomen.

Diagnosis of abdominal pain in adults To diagnose abdominal pain, doctors and healthcare professionals are likely to ask you the following questions: Where is the pain?

When did the pain start? How severe is the pain? Does the pain come and go? Have you had this pain before? Gallstone pain and kidney stone pain will often recur every few months. McQuaid KR. Approach to the patient with gastrointestinal disease.

In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Landmann A, Bonds M, Postier R. Acute abdomen. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds.

Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; chap Smith KA. Abdominal pain. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. Weber F. Gastrointestinal and hepatic manifestations of systemic diseases.

In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease.

Reviewed by: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC.

Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A. Editorial team. Share Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Home Health Library. Abdominal pain Stomach pain; Pain - abdomen; Belly ache; Abdominal cramps; Bellyache; Stomachache.

Considerations Almost everyone has pain in the abdomen at some point. Most of the time, it is not serious. How bad your pain is does not always reflect the seriousness of the condition causing the pain. Other ways to describe pain in your abdomen include: Generalized pain -- This means that you feel it in more than half of your belly.

This type of pain is more typical for a stomach virus, indigestion, or gas. If the pain becomes more severe, it may be caused by a blockage of the intestines. Localized pain -- This is pain found in only one area of your belly. It is more likely to be a sign of a problem in an organ, such as the appendix, gallbladder, or stomach.

Cramp-like pain -- This type of pain is not serious most of the time. It is likely to be due to gas and bloating, and is often followed by diarrhea. More worrisome signs include pain that occurs more often, lasts more than 24 hours, or occurs with a fever.

Colicky pain -- This type of pain comes in waves. It very often starts and ends suddenly, and is often severe. Kidney stones and gallstones are common causes of this type of belly pain. Causes Many different conditions can cause abdominal pain.

Less serious causes of abdominal pain include: Constipation Irritable bowel syndrome Food allergies or intolerance such as lactose intolerance Food poisoning Stomach flu Other possible causes include: Appendicitis Abdominal aortic aneurysm bulging and weakening of the major artery in the body Bowel blockage or obstruction Cancer of the stomach, colon large bowel , and other organs Cholecystitis inflammation of the gallbladder with or without gallstones Decreased blood supply to the intestines ischemic bowel Diverticulitis inflammation and infection of the colon Endometriosis Heartburn , indigestion , or gastroesophageal reflux GERD Inflammatory bowel disease Crohn disease or ulcerative colitis Kidney stones Muscle strain Pancreatitis swelling or infection of the pancreas Pelvic inflammatory disease PID Ruptured ovarian cyst Severe menstrual cramps Tubal ectopic pregnancy Ulcers Urinary tract infections UTI.

Home Care You can try the following home care steps to ease mild abdominal pain: Sip water or other clear fluids. Food poisoning may take a few hours or days to develop and then may last for several days.

Abdominal pain is frequently caused by a problem in the digestive tract the gut. However, it can also be caused by other organs located in the abdomen, such as the kidneys. Large blood vessels, such as the aorta are also found in the abdomen and may give rise to pain.

Abdominal pain can even be caused by some medicines. Some of the causes of abdominal pain are short-term acute , whereas others are long-term or ongoing chronic conditions. Find more information about the underlying causes of abdominal pain here. In some cases, you should seek urgent medical attention or consult a doctor if you have abdominal pain.

If you have a sudden, severe, incapacitating pain in your abdomen, go immediately to your nearest emergency department or call triple zero and ask for an ambulance.

If you are experiencing pain high up in your abdomen that is made worse by exercise it could be angina or a heart attack. If you, or someone near you is experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, call triple zero immediately and ask for an ambulance.

If you are pregnant and experiencing abdominal pain, check with your doctor or midwife. Abdominal pains are common in pregnancy, but should always be checked out. If your abdominal pain does not match the situations above, but it is recurrent keeps coming back or persistent ongoing , or it started mild but is worsening, you should still consult a doctor.

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services. Abdominal pain is one of the most common symptoms seen by GPs doctors who work in general practice.

Information about your symptoms and the location of the abdominal pain can help a doctor diagnose the cause of your pain. They will want to know how long you have had the pain and may want to do a physical examination. If you are female, this may include a pelvic examination.

If you are male, it may include checking your penis and scrotum. They may suggest you have some blood tests or other diagnostic procedures done, especially if you have had the symptoms for some time. ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment?

Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist. Mild abdominal pain may go away on its own within hours or days. Mild pain and related symptoms can also often be treated with medicines from the pharmacy. Your pharmacist will be able to advise you on what type of product is best suited to your situation.

You should not use aspirin or anti-inflammatory medicines , such as ibuprofen, to treat abdominal pain, other than period pain.

These medicines may cause or irritate a stomach or bowel problem. Gas — Medicines designed to break down gas bubbles, such as antacids containing simethicone, are available over the counter. Gas-reducing medicines such as charcoal products, may help with ongoing wind problems.

Dietary changes may also help. An Accredited Practising Dietitian APD or your doctor can help with dietary advice. Gastroenteritis — This usually only lasts a few days and clears up by itself.

Rehydrating by drinking plenty of clear fluids is the most important treatment. Pain due to muscle spasms — Spasms in the wall of the bowel may be eased by antispasmodic medicines.

Several are available, so talk to your pharmacist or doctor about which are right for you. Pain due to stomach ulcers or duodenal ulcers — This type of pain is usually managed by trying to heal the ulcers, which will relieve the symptoms.

This may involve acid-reducing medicines and antibiotics prescribed by your doctor. There are many other causes of abdominal pain and your doctor will be able to advise on the appropriate treatment once the cause is known. In some cases, such as appendicitis or bowel obstruction, the person may need emergency surgery.

Eating enough fibre and doing regular exercise can help prevent constipation and keep your bowels working well, which will prevent some forms of abdominal pain. It will also reduce your long-term risk of some diseases, such as diverticular disease or bowel cancer.

Drinking plain water — but not carbonated or fizzy drinks — will reduce the chance of pain from bloating as well as keeping your body healthy.

Following a specific diet can help reduce pain due to lactose intolerance , gallstones , irritable bowel syndrome and trapped gas, or wind. For advice on what to do if you have abdominal pain, call healthdirect on known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria to speak with a registered nurse, 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content. Abdominal pain, or belly ache, is common in people who have liver disease. It can get worse as the liver disease gets worse progresses.

Abdominal abdoinal is Symptoms of abdominal cramps felt anywhere from Symptoms of abdominal cramps your ribs to Symptmos pelvis. It is also Muscle building nutrition as crampz pain or stomach pain. The abdomen houses many organs, including your stomach, liverpancreassmall and large bowel, and reproductive organs. There are also major blood vessels in the abdomen. Serious causes of abdominal pain include appendicitis and pregnancy problems.

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Abdominal Pain - Causes, Symptoms, Treatments \u0026 More… Error: This is required. Error: Symptoms of abdominal cramps a valid value. If cram;s have Symptoms of abdominal cramps sudden, severe, incapacitating pain in Non-jittery energy supplement abdomen, go Symotoms to crampw nearest hospital emergency department or call triple zero and ask for an ambulance. There are many underlying causes of abdominal pain. Others are longer lasting and may be more serious. There are also causes of abdominal pain that require urgent medical attention and may be life-threatening. Some causes of abdominal pain are more common — or less likely — in certain age groups or genders.

Symptoms of abdominal cramps -

Vomiting often causes abdominal pain as stomach acids travel backward through the digestive tract, irritating tissues along the way. The physical act of vomiting also may cause abdominal muscles to become sore. A wide range of factors can trigger vomiting, ranging from an intestinal blockage to alcohol poisoning.

Click here to find out more about the many possible causes of vomiting. When the stomach lining becomes inflamed or swollen, pain may occur. Nausea, vomiting, gas, and bloating are other common symptoms of gastritis. Click here to learn more about the why inflammation of the stomach occurs.

When the body is unable to digest food materials, they are broken down by intestinal and stomach bacteria, which release gas in the process. When large amounts of undigested materials are present, a lot of gas is produced, causing pressure and pain.

Nausea, vomiting, bloating, diarrhea , and abdominal pain are other symptoms. A person with a food intolerance will have a hypersensitivity to certain foods. Find out more here about the symptoms and causes of food intolerance , and how to prevent a reaction. When too much waste collects in the bowel, this increases the pressure on the colon, which may cause pain.

It can also be a sign of a neurological disorder or a blockage in the intestine. If constipation persists and is uncomfortable, the person should see a doctor.

Click here to learn more about constipation, what causes it, and how to resolve it. Gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD is a long-term condition that involves persistent acid reflux. It can cause abdominal pain, heartburn , and nausea.

In time, it can lead to complications, such as inflammation of the esophagus. Find out more here about GERD , and how to prevent and treat it. Ulcers or wounds that will not heal tend to cause severe and persistent abdominal pain.

It can also lead to bloating, indigestion , and weight loss. The most common causes of stomach and peptic ulcers are the bacteria H. pylori and the overuse or continued use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications NSAIDS.

If you would like to know more about stomach ulcers, click here. Given its chronic nature, the condition may lead to malnutrition , causing weight loss and exhaustion. It can be a serious condition, but symptoms may not be present all the time, as there will be times of remission. Treatment is available to help people manage the symptoms.

Celiac disease happens when a person has an allergy to gluten, a protein found in many grains, such as wheat and barley. It causes inflammation in the small intestine, resulting in pain. Diarrhea and bloating are also common symptoms. Over time, malnutrition can occur, resulting in weight loss and exhaustion.

Learn more here about celiac disease, including what to eat and what to avoid if you have this allergy. Because many daily activities require the use of the abdominal muscles, injury or strain is common. Many people also focus heavily on abdominal exercises, increasing the risk of damage. Doing more sit-ups than usual, for example, may lead to muscle pain in the abdominal area.

Menstruation can cause inflammation and pain in the abdomen. Bloating, gas, cramping, and constipation can also occur during menstruation, causing abdominal discomfort. Women who have endometriosis may experience more severe or chronic inflammation and pain.

Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue that normally grows in the uterus develops in other parts of the body, usually in the pelvic area but sometimes elsewhere. Learn more about menstrual pain and endometriosis in our main articles on these topics.

Urinary tract infections are most often caused by bacteria, primarily E. coli species, that colonize the urethra and bladder, causing a bladder infection or cystitis.

Symptoms include pain, pressure, and bloating in the lower abdominal area. Most infections also cause painful urination and cloudy, strong-smelling urine.

Find out more about urinary tract infections , why they happen, and how to treat them. In some cases, abdominal pain is a sign of a medical condition that can be fatal without immediate medical care. Most cases of abdominal pain are not serious, and symptoms resolve with basic home care, such as rest and hydration, within hours to days.

Many medications available over-the-counter or online, such as antacids and gas medications , also help reduce and manage symptoms. Acute sudden and severe or chronic long-lasting abdominal pain, however, are often signs of conditions that do require medical attention and treatment.

Though rare, it is important for people experiencing these symptoms to seek emergency medical attention. Learn about dietary and lifestyle tips that can help reduce gas, including foods to eat and avoid and when to contact a doctor. Menstrual cramps are a common symptom of periods.

Learn about a variety of home remedies to treat cramps, such as heating pads and massage, here. Acid reflux is very common and occurs when stomach acid flows back up into the food pipe, where it causes heartburn.

Home remedies and lifestyle tips…. Upset stomach, or indigestion, is usually no cause for concern. It is often possible to treat the symptoms using home remedies.

In this article, we…. Midabdominal pain has many potential causes. Some examples include gastroenteritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and small bowel obstruction. My podcast changed me Can 'biological race' explain disparities in health?

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Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. Pain from kidney stones is felt in the right side or left side, more in the back than the front of the abdomen, and tends to radiate downwards into the groin on the same side.

Pain in the very centre of the abdomen is more likely to be coming from the intestines, however in males, testicular pain is also felt in the centre of the abdomen.

Health professionals will usually ask you to rate the pain or give a pain score out of Mild pain might be rated 3 to 4, noticeable and unpleasant like a toothache but not severe enough to interfere with usual activity.

Severe pain stops all other activities like labour pain in childbirth. Gallstone or kidney stone pain is often severe. Abdominal pain that comes and goes in waves is called colic, and comes from the contraction of a hollow organ such as the bowel, the gallbladder or the urinary tract.

Pain from other organs may be constant — for example stomach ulcers, pancreatitis or pain from an abdominal infection. Period pain can be severe and may indicate an underlying problem such as endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease , while pain in the middle of the menstrual cycle can be due to an ovarian follicle.

This is an important question as it might point to the cause of the pain. Examples are trauma such as a sporting injury or car accident, recent medication such as anti-inflammatories or antibiotics, or heavier than usual alcohol intake, which might trigger pancreatitis. Blood in the urine, together with flank pain pain between the pelvis and the ribs , point to kidney stones.

Vomiting with pain in the centre of the abdomen can point to a small bowel obstruction. Severe constipation with pain in the side may point to a large bowel obstruction. Recent surgery to the bowel or other abdominal organs might result in complications, such as infection, that could cause abdominal pain.

Scarring to the tissue surrounding the bowel, or adhesions, can be caused by surgery or radiation therapy and trigger bowel obstruction.

If you do have tests, the doctor will explain the results to you. Some results may take a number of days to come back and these will be sent to your local doctor.

Most abdominal pain goes away without special treatment. Be guided by your doctor, but there are some things you can do to help ease the pain, including:. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only.

Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional.

The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website.

All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances.

The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. Digestive system. Home Digestive system.

Abdominal pain in adults. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. About abdominal pain When to see a doctor about abdominal pain Symptoms of abdominal pain in adults Causes of abdominal pain in adults Diagnosis of abdominal pain in adults Treatment for abdominal pain in adults Taking care of yourself at home Where to get help.

About abdominal pain Abdominal pain is pain felt anywhere from below your ribs to your pelvis. When to see a doctor about abdominal pain Go straight to your doctor or the emergency department of the nearest hospital if you have any of the following: severe pain pain lasting for several hours pain or vaginal bleeding if you are pregnant pain in your scrotum if you are a male pain and vomiting or shortness of breath pain and vomiting blood blood in your bowel motions or urine pain that spreads to your chest, neck or shoulder fever and sweats become pale and clammy unable to pass urine unable to move your bowels or pass gas any other concerns.

Symptoms of abdominal pain in adults The type of pain can vary greatly. Causes of abdominal pain in adults There are many reasons why you may have pain in your abdomen. Diagnosis of abdominal pain in adults To diagnose abdominal pain, doctors and healthcare professionals are likely to ask you the following questions: Where is the pain?

When did the pain start? How severe is the pain? Does the pain come and go? Have you had this pain before? Gallstone pain and kidney stone pain will often recur every few months. What events led up to the pain? Are there associated features? Do you have a history of previous surgery or radiation therapy to the abdomen?

Examinations and tests If examinations and tests are needed, these may include: a rectal exam to check for hidden blood or other problems a check of the penis and scrotum a pelvic exam to check for problems in the womb uterus , fallopian tubes and ovaries, and a pregnancy test a blood test to look for infection which causes a raised white cell count or bleeding which causes a low blood count or haemoglobin other blood tests may look at enzymes in the liver, pancreas and heart to sort out which organ may be involved a urine test to look for a urine infection or blood if there is a kidney stone an ECG an electrical tracing of the heart to rule out a heart attack other tests, including x-ray , ultrasound or CT scan an endoscopy — an examination where a flexible tube with a light and video camera at the tip is used to examine some internal organs without the need for surgery.

Different names are used depending on which organ is being looked at sometimes you may be referred to another doctor to help find the cause of the problem.

Treatment for abdominal pain in adults Your treatment depends on what is causing your pain, but may include: Pain relief — your pain may not go away fully with painkillers, but it should ease. Fluids — you may have fluids given into a vein to correct fluid loss and rest your bowel.

A Allergy-safe environments ache is abdominao term often used Symotoms refer abdkminal cramps or a dull ache in the Symptoms of abdominal cramps Natural remedies to lower cholesterol. It's abdminal Symptoms of abdominal cramps and is Symptojs not serious. Severe abdominal pain is a greater cause for concern. If it starts suddenly and unexpectedly, and persists, it should be regarded as a medical emergency, especially if the pain is concentrated in a particular area. Call your GP or go to your nearest hospital emergency department if this is the case. If you feel pain in the area around your ribs, see the section on chest pain.