Abdominal Pain, Age 12 and Older

Topic Overview

The cause of abdominal problems can be hard to pinpoint. Sometimes minor and serious abdominal problems start with the same symptoms. Fortunately, most abdominal problems are minor, and home treatment is all that is needed.

Many times the exact cause of abdominal pain is hard to find. The severity of your pain, its location, and other symptoms you have may help determine what is causing the pain.

• Generalized pain occurs in half of the abdomen or more. Generalized pain can occur with many different illnesses and will usually go away without medical treatment. Indigestion and the stomach flu are common problems that can cause generalized pain. Home treatment may help relieve some of the discomfort. Generalized mild pain or crampy pain that becomes more severe over several hours may be a symptom of a blockage of the intestines (bowel obstruction).
• Localized pain is located in one area of the abdomen. Localized pain that comes on suddenly and gets worse is more likely to be a symptom of a serious problem. The pain of appendicitis may start as generalized pain, but it often moves (localizes) to one area of the abdomen. The pain from gallbladder disease or peptic ulcer disease often starts in one area of the abdomen and stays in that same location. Localized pain that gradually becomes more severe may be a symptom of inflammation of an abdominal organ.
• Cramping, which can be very painful, is rarely serious if it is relieved by passing gas or a stool. Many women have cramping pain with their menstrual periods. Generalized cramping pain is usually not a cause for concern unless it gets worse, lasts for longer than 24 hours, or localizes. Cramping that starts suddenly with diarrhea or other minor health problems can be quite painful but is usually not serious.

Occasionally, severe pain that comes on suddenly may be a symptom of a rupture of the stomach or intestines (perforation), torsion of the testicle or ovary, a kidney stone, gallbladder disease, or blood vessel problems, such as an aortic aneurysm. The pain caused by appendicitis or gallbladder disease may increase when you move or cough. Pain that increases with movement or coughing and does not appear to be caused by strained muscles is more likely to be a symptom of a serious problem. A visit to a health professional is usually needed when severe abdominal pain comes on suddenly, or new and different mild pain slowly becomes more severe over several hours or days.

After a minor abdominal injury, pain, nausea, or vomiting may occur but often gets better in a few minutes. Pain and other symptoms that continue, increase, or develop following an injury may mean an abdominal organ has been damaged.

Many medicines can cause abdominal pain. Some medicines also cause side effects, such as constipation, that can make abdominal pain worse.

Specific abdominal symptoms have been linked with ovarian cancer. These symptoms include abdominal or pelvic pain, increased abdominal size or bloating, and difficulty eating or feeling full quickly. If you have had these symptoms 12 or more times each month over the past 12 months, talk with your doctor.

Review the Emergencies and Check Your Symptoms sections to determine if and when you need to see a health professional.

Emergencies

Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

• Shock. Shock is more likely to occur with an injury, bleeding, infection, or a serious illness.
• Pain in the upper abdomen that occurs with chest pain that is crushing or squeezing, feels like a heavy weight on the chest, or occurs with any other symptoms of a heart attack
• Moderate to severe difficulty breathing
• Severe dehydration
• Severe abdominal pain:
  • And fainting (syncope)
  • If you are older than age 60

Note:

If you are pregnant and have severe pain in the belly, go to the topic Pregnancy-Related Problems for evaluation of your symptoms.

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Yes

Do you have severe pain?

See significance of severe pain if you need information to help you answer the question below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Note:

Do not eat or drink anything until you have talked with your health professional.

Yes

Do you have severe pain that is not relieved by passing gas or having a bowel movement?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Yes

Do you think you may be pregnant?

See significance of pregnancy if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Do you have moderate abdominal pain?

Yes

Do you have moderate cramping or localized lower abdominal pain?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Do you have mild abdominal pain?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Yes

Have you had a recent injury to the abdomen?

See significance of injury if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Note:

Do not eat or drink anything until you have talked with your health professional.

Yes

Do you have severe pain after an injury?

Yes

Do you have bleeding from the rectum, urethra, or vagina that started after an injury to the abdomen?

Yes

Do you have an abdominal wound that penetrated deeper than a scratch?

Yes

Do you have shoulder pain after an injury to the abdomen and you have not had a shoulder injury?

Yes

Was your injury intentionally caused by another person (abuse)?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Note:

Do not eat, and drink only sips of clear liquids until you have talked with your health professional.

Yes

Have you vomited more than one time after an injury to the abdomen?

Yes

Do you have moderate pain when pressing on the abdomen 1 hour after an injury to the abdomen?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Have you had nausea for longer than 24 hours?

Yes

Have you had heartburn or loss of appetite for longer than 24 hours?

Yes

Have you had ongoing mild pain but no other symptoms for longer than 24 hours?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Yes

Do you have localized abdominal pain?

See significance of localized pain if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Note:

Do not eat or drink anything until you have talked with your health professional.

Yes

Do you have severelocalized pain?

Yes

Do you have moderate localized pain and all of the following symptoms?

• Pain that has lasted for more than 4 hours and
• Pain that is increasing in severity and
• Nausea or vomiting

Yes

Do you have any pain and you feel your heartbeat in your abdomen (a pulsating sensation)?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Note:

Do not eat, and drink only sips of clear liquids until you have talked with your health professional.

Yes

Have you had moderatelocalized pain for longer than 4 hours without other symptoms?

Yes

Do you have pain with a new or different bulge at the navel or groin?

Yes

Do you have moderate pain that is different than your usual menstrual cramps or pelvic pain?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Have you had mild localized abdominal pain without other symptoms for longer than 24 hours?

Yes

Have you had mildpelvic pain that is different than your usual menstrual cramps or pelvic pain for longer than 24 hours and you have done a pregnancy test and you are not pregnant?

You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Have you had abdominal pain for longer than 1 week?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Yes

Do you have generalized or cramping abdominal pain?

See significance of generalized or cramping pain if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Note:

Do not eat or drink anything until you have talked with your health professional.

Yes

Do you have severe pain?

Yes

Do you have any pain and you feel your heartbeat in your abdomen (a pulsating sensation)?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Note:

Do not eat, and drink only sips of clear liquids until you have talked with your health professional.

Yes

Do you have moderate pain that is getting worse?

Yes

Have you had moderate, unchanged pain for longer than 24 hours?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Have you had mild, unchanged pain for longer than 24 hours?

You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Have you had abdominal pain for longer than 1 week?

Yes

Have you had an unexplained weight loss of more than 5 lb (2 kg)?

Yes

Have you had any of the following symptoms off and on over the past 2 to 3 months?

• Pain in your pelvis or abdomen
• A bloated or swollen abdomen
• Difficulty eating, or feeling full quickly

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Yes

Are your stools black or bloody?

See significance of blood in your stool if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Note:

Call 911 or other emergency services if you have blood in your stool and any signs of shock, such as: Weakness, dizziness, and fainting. Cool, pale, clammy skin. Weak fast pulse. Shallow, fast breathing. Extreme thirst, nausea, or vomiting. Confusion or anxiety. Certain foods and medicines can change how the stool looks. Taking medicines that contain bismuth, such as Pepto-Bismol, or iron tablets can make the stool black, and eating lots of beets may turn the stool red. Some food colorings also can change the color of your stool. Eating foods that contain black or dark blue food coloring can turn your stool black.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Have you had 1 or more normal-size to large stools that are mostly black or bloody?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Have you had 1 or more normal-size to large stools that are partly black or bloody?

Yes

Have you had 1 or more small stools that are mostly black or bloody?

You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Have you had streaks of blood in your stools?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Yes

Are you vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds?

See significance of blood in vomit if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Note:

When you vomit blood, watch for blood in the stools, such as tarry, black, or maroon stools. If you think you have blood in your stool, be sure to answer the question in this section about blood in the stool.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Note:

Do not eat or drink anything until you have talked with your health professional.

Yes

Have you vomited more than a streak of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, but you do not have signs of shock?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Note:

Do not eat, and drink only sips of clear liquids until you have talked with your health professional.

Yes

Do you have a streak of bright red blood in your vomit and you are not sure if the blood is from irritation of your nose or mouth while vomiting?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Have you had a streak of blood in your vomit more than one time in the past 24 hours and you are sure the blood is coming from your nose or mouth ?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Yes

Do you have a fever?

See significance of fever if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Note:

If you need information on how to take a temperature, see the topic Body Temperature.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Note:

Do not eat or drink anything until you have talked with your health professional.

Yes

Do you have a fever of 104° (40°) or higher?

Yes

Do you think you have a high fever but you are unable to measure your temperature?

Yes

Do you have a fever of 101° (38°) or higher with signs of severe infection, such as shaking chills?

Yes

Do you think you have a moderate fever with signs of severe infection but you are unable to measure your temperature?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Note:

Do not eat, and drink only sips of clear liquids until you have talked with your health professional.

Yes

Do you have a fever of 102° (38.9°) to 103° (39.4°) or higher?

Yes

Do you think you have a moderate fever but you are unable to measure your temperature?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Have you had a fever of 100° (38°) or higher for 2 full days?

Yes

Do you think you have had a mild a fever for 2 full days but you are unable to measure your temperature?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Yes

Do you have symptoms of mild to moderate dehydration?

See significance of dehydration if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Do you have symptoms of moderate dehydration and you are unable to drink enough to replace lost fluids?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Have you had symptoms of mild dehydration for longer than 12 hours and you are unable to drink enough to replace lost fluids?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Yes

Do you think that a medicine is causing your abdominal pain?

See significance of medicine causing abdominal pain if you need information to help you answer the question below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Did your abdominal pain start after taking a medicine?

Note:

If your answer is Yes: Call the health professional who prescribed the medicine the same day to see whether you should stop taking the medicine or take a different one. An appointment may not be needed. If you are taking a medicine not prescribed by a health professional, stop taking the medicine. Call your health professional if you feel you need to keep taking the medicine or if you need help to control your symptoms after you stop the medicine.

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Do you have any of the following symptoms?

• Ongoing nausea and vomiting: Go to the topic Nausea and Vomiting, Age 4 and Older.
• Heartburn: Go to the topic Heartburn.
• Gas, bloating, and burping: Go to the topic Gas, Bloating, and Burping.
• Painful urination or other urinary problems: Go to the topic Urinary Problems, Age 12 and Older.
• Pain in the groin or scrotal area: Go to the topic Groin Problems and Injuries or Male Genital Problems and Injuries.
• A rectal problem: Go to the topic Rectal Problems.
• Diarrhea: Go to the topic Diarrhea, Age 12 and Older.
• Respiratory problem: Go to the topic Respiratory Problems, Age 12 and Older.
• New or different menstrual cramps: Go to the topic Menstrual Cramps.
• Unexpected vaginal bleeding: Go to the topic Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding.
• Vaginal discharge: Go to the topic Vaginal Problems.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

Home Treatment

Most of the time, abdominal pain improves with home treatment and you do not need a visit to a health professional. Specific home treatment for abdominal pain often depends on the symptoms you have along with the pain, such as diarrhea or nausea and vomiting.

If you have mild abdominal pain without other symptoms, try the following:

• Rest until you are feeling better.
• Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. You may find that taking small, frequent sips of a beverage is easier on your stomach than trying to drink a whole glass at once. Do not drink carbonated or caffeinated drinks, such as soda pop, tea, or coffee.
• Try eating several small meals instead of 2 or 3 large ones. Eat mild foods, such as rice, dry toast or crackers, bananas, and applesauce. Do not eat spicy foods, other fruits, alcohol, and drinks that have caffeine until 48 hours after all symptoms have gone away.
• Do not eat foods that are high in fat. Foods high in fat may increase your abdominal pain.
• Do not use aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen and naproxen. These medicines may irritate your stomach and increase your pain.

Symptoms to Watch For During Home Treatment

Use the Check Your Symptoms section to evaluate your symptoms if one or more of the following symptoms occur during home treatment.

• Pain increases or localizes to one specific area of the abdomen.
• Pain does not improve in 24 to 48 hours.
• Other symptoms develop, such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, a fever, or a change in urination.
• Symptoms become more severe or frequent.

Prevention

Abdominal pain can often be prevented.

• Develop regular bowel habits to prevent abdominal pain caused by constipation. For more information, see the topic Constipation, Age 12 and Older.
• Develop regular eating habits. Overeating is a common cause of abdominal discomfort. Eat slowly and stop when you feel full.
• To prevent abdominal pain caused by swallowing air (aerophagia), do not chew gum or drink carbonated beverages.
• Prevent abdominal injuries by wearing your seat belt safely and correctly every time you drive or are a passenger in a car.
  • Wear both your lap and shoulder belts. The shoulder strap should cross the collarbone, and the lap belt should fit low and tight.
  • Do not wear your shoulder strap slipped behind the back or under the arm. This dangerous habit can cause severe injury, especially in cars with air bags.

Preparing For Your Appointment

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment

You can help your health professional diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:

• How long have you had the pain?
• What were you doing when the pain started?
• Did the pain start suddenly or develop gradually?
• How severe is your pain? Rate your pain on a scale of 1 to 10.
• Is your pain generalized or localized? If you have localized pain, where is it located?
• Is your pain cramping, a steady ache, burning, or a tearing sensation?
• Is your pain changing? If so, how?
• Is the pain constant, or does it come and go?
• Have you had other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, a change in urination, or fever?
• Have you had this type of pain before? If so, did you see a health professional? How was the pain treated?
• What makes the pain better? What makes the pain worse?
• Have you recently traveled outside of the country?
• Have you drunk any untreated well, stream, or lake water?
• Do you have any health risks?

Related Information

• Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding
• Appendicitis
• Chest Pain
• Constipation, Age 12 and Older
• Dehydration
• Diarrhea, Age 12 and Older
• Endometriosis
• Functional Ovarian Cysts
• Gallstones
• Gas, Bloating, and Burping
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
• Groin Problems and Injuries
• Heartburn
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Kidney Stones
• Menstrual Cramps
• Nausea and Vomiting, Age 4 and Older
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
• Peptic Ulcer Disease
• Pregnancy-Related Problems
• Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
• Respiratory Problems, Age 12 and Older
• Urinary Problems and Injuries, Age 12 and Older
• Uterine Fibroids