Abdominal pain can have many causes. Often the specific symptoms help determine the cause of the pain.
Causes of abdominal pain
| Cause |
Most common symptoms |
Infection with a parasite, such as giardia |
- Diarrhea (nonbloody)
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Gas and bloating
- Weight loss
|
Urinary problems, such as a kidney stone, kidney disease, kidney infection, or bladder infection |
- Burning when urinating
- Blood in the urine
- Flank pain or lower pelvic pain
- Need to urinate small amounts frequently
- Unable to urinate
- Fever
|
Dietary, such as lactose intolerance or food allergy |
- Chronic, generalized abdominal pain
- Diarrhea (nonbloody)
- Gas and bloating
|
Inflammatory disease, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis |
- Diarrhea (may be bloody)
- Fever (may come and go)
- Generalized abdominal pain (frequently awakens you at night)
- Weight loss
|
Irritable bowel syndrome |
- Chronic or intermittent abdominal pain with either diarrhea or constipation (pain does not awaken you at night)
- Increases with stress
- No weight loss
|
Ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage |
- Abdominal pain (may be severe)
- Vaginal bleeding
- Positive risk factors for pregnancy
|
Gastrointestinal problems, such as constipation, gallbladder disease, bowel obstruction, pancreatitis, appendicitis, gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or diverticulitis |
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Change in bowel habits
- Nausea or vomiting
- Bloating
- Blood in stool or in vomit
|
Female reproductive problems, such as endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) |
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Fever
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Pain with intercourse
|
Sickle cell disease |
- Abdominal pain
- Pain in the arms and legs, the chest, or the spinal bones
|
Blood vessel problems, such as an aortic aneurysm or peripheral arterial disease |
- Sudden abdominal pain or back pain
- Drop in blood pressure
- Signs of shock
|
Hernias, such as hiatal, inguinal, or umbilical |
- Abdominal pain
- Bulging area in the belly or groin
|
Credits
| Author |
Jan Nissl, RN, BS |
| Editor |
Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor |
Tracy Landauer |
| Primary Medical Reviewer |
William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer |
H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Last Updated |
January 13, 2009 |
Last Updated: 01/13/2009