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Abdominal Pain: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Abdominal pain refers to discomfort or pain felt between the chest and pelvis. It is one of the most common complaints and can range from minor digestive issues to serious medical conditions.

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Things worth knowing about "Abdominal Pain"

Abdominal pain refers to discomfort or pain felt between the chest and pelvis. It is one of the most common complaints and can range from minor digestive issues to serious medical conditions.

What Is Abdominal Pain?

Abdominal pain describes any discomfort or pain located in the area between the chest and the pelvis, commonly referred to as the belly or abdomen. It is one of the most frequent reasons people seek medical attention. The nature, location, and timing of the pain can offer important clues about its underlying cause.

Possible Causes

Abdominal pain can result from a wide variety of conditions, ranging from mild and temporary to serious and requiring immediate care:

Common Mild Causes

Gas and bloating after meals
Constipation
Diarrhea
Food intolerances (e.g., lactose intolerance, gluten sensitivity)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Menstrual cramps in women

More Serious Causes

Appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix)
Peptic ulcer disease (stomach or duodenal ulcers)
Gastroenteritis (stomach flu)
Gallbladder inflammation or gallstones
Kidney stones
Inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
Liver conditions (e.g., hepatitis)
Urinary tract infections
Gynecological conditions (e.g., ovarian cysts, ectopic pregnancy)

Symptoms and Characteristics

Abdominal pain can present in many different ways. Key characteristics used for diagnosis include:

Location: upper abdomen, lower abdomen, left or right side, or diffuse (all over)
Type of pain: cramping, sharp, dull, burning, or colicky
Timing: acute (sudden onset) or chronic (lasting more than three months)
Associated symptoms: nausea, vomiting, fever, bloating, changes in bowel habits, loss of appetite

When to See a Doctor

Many cases of abdominal pain resolve on their own. However, certain warning signs require prompt medical attention:

Severe or sudden-onset pain
Pain following an injury or trauma
High fever, persistent vomiting, or blood in the stool
Rigid, board-like abdomen (possible sign of peritonitis)
Pain lasting several days without improvement
Unexplained weight loss

Diagnosis

To identify the cause of abdominal pain, doctors use a variety of diagnostic approaches:

Medical history and physical examination: including palpation of the abdomen
Blood and urine tests: to detect infection, inflammation, or organ dysfunction
Ultrasound: to visualize abdominal organs
X-ray or CT scan: for more complex or serious presentations
Endoscopy (gastroscopy or colonoscopy): when gastrointestinal disease is suspected

Treatment

Treatment depends entirely on the underlying cause of the pain:

Functional complaints: heat application, rest, bland diet, herbal teas (e.g., chamomile, fennel), antispasmodics
Infections: antibiotics for bacterial infections, supportive care for viral ones
Chronic conditions: long-term medication, e.g., for IBS or inflammatory bowel disease
Surgical treatment: required for conditions such as appendicitis, complicated gallstones, or bowel obstruction

References

Longo, D. L. et al. - Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 21st edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2022.
World Health Organization (WHO) - Abdominal Pain Assessment and Management Guidelines. Geneva: WHO, 2022.
Ahnen, D. J. et al. - Approach to the Adult with Acute Abdominal Pain. UpToDate, Wolters Kluwer, 2023.

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