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Abdominal pain is one of the most common reasons for seeing a doctor. It may appear suddenly or increase gradually, occur after eating, physical activity, or without an obvious cause. In some cases, the symptom goes away on its own, while in others it indicates a disease that requires treatment.

The cause may be digestive disorders, inflammatory processes, infections, or diseases of the internal organs. That is why it is important to pay attention not only to the intensity of the pain, but also to where exactly it occurs, what character it has, and whether it is accompanied by other symptoms.

In this article, we will look at why the abdomen hurts in different areas and what the character of the pain may mean. We will also explain what can be done before consulting a doctor and in which cases you need to seek medical help immediately.

What abdominal pain is

Abdominal pain is any pain that occurs in the abdominal area. It may differ in location, character, and duration, so people describe it in different ways: as sharp, stabbing, cramping, aching, or burning. These features help assess the possible origin of the symptoms.

Why the abdomen hurts: main causes

Abdominal pain syndrome can develop for different reasons. It may be caused by diseases of the digestive, urinary, or reproductive system, as well as by damage to the abdominal wall or peritoneum. At the same time, similar symptoms may occur with completely different diseases, so they need to be assessed comprehensively.

The most common reasons why pain occurs in the abdomen include:

  • digestive disorders after overeating or eating fatty, spicy, or unfamiliar food;
  • viral and bacterial intestinal infections;
  • constipation, excessive gas formation, or irritable bowel syndrome;
  • gastritis, stomach ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease;
  • diseases of the gallbladder, liver, or pancreas;
  • appendicitis, diverticulitis, and other acute surgical diseases;
  • urolithiasis or urinary tract infections;
  • gynecological diseases in women, including ovarian cysts, inflammatory processes, or ectopic pregnancy;
  • injuries to the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall after physical exertion.

Doctors at Oxford Medical recommend not trying to determine the cause of pain only by its location or intensity. If the abdomen hurts after eating once, this may be related to overeating or a temporary digestive disorder. But if the symptom recurs, worsens, or is accompanied by vomiting, fever, blood in the stool, or a significant deterioration in well-being, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

As noted in the recommendations of Mayo Clinic, the location, character, duration, time of onset, and combination with other symptoms are important for assessing the possible causes of pain.

What abdominal pain means depending on its location

What abdominal pain means depending on its location

Pain in the abdominal area does not always occur where the source of the problem is located. However, the place where it appears often helps narrow down the possible causes. For example, pain in the upper abdomen is more often associated with the stomach, liver, or gallbladder, while pain in the lower abdomen is associated with the intestines, urinary system, or reproductive system.

Doctors at Oxford Medical emphasize: pain location is only one of the assessment criteria. To determine the cause, it is also important to consider the character of the pain, the time of its onset, its duration, and accompanying symptoms.

Why the abdomen hurts near the navel

If the abdomen hurts near the navel, the most common causes are:

  • excessive gas formation — accumulated gas stretches the intestinal wall and may cause spasms;
  • gastroenteritis — inflammation of the stomach and intestines, which is usually accompanied by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever;
  • intestinal infections — often manifest as cramping pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and symptoms of intoxication.

At the initial stage of acute appendicitis, pain also often occurs near the navel and then shifts to the lower right part of the abdomen after several hours.

Another possible cause is an umbilical hernia. It manifests as a bulge in the navel area that increases during coughing or physical exertion. If the bulge has become painful, cannot be reduced, or the pain is rapidly worsening, you need to seek medical help immediately.

Why there is pain in the right side of the lower abdomen

Pain in the lower right abdomen may be associated with diseases of the intestines, urinary system, or pelvic organs. One of the most common causes is acute appendicitis, in which the pain gradually worsens and is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and fever.

In women, the cause may also be inflammatory diseases of the appendages, an ovarian cyst, or ectopic pregnancy, while in men it may be some urological diseases. Depending on the symptoms, the doctor may recommend laboratory tests, an abdominal ultrasound, or other examination methods. If necessary, women may also be prescribed a gynecological examination and an ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs.

Why there is pain on the left side of the lower abdomen

Pain in the lower left abdomen often occurs with diseases of the large intestine. One possible cause is diverticulitis — inflammation of small bulges in the intestinal wall, which develops more often in older people. The pain may also be related to constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, or pathology of the urinary system. In women, pain in this area sometimes occurs with endometriosis, ovarian cysts, or inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs.

Doctors at Oxford Medical emphasize: if discomfort is accompanied by fever, blood in the stool, vomiting, or a sudden deterioration in well-being, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Why the upper abdomen hurts

If the upper abdomen hurts, the cause is often related to the stomach, duodenum, liver, gallbladder, or pancreas. Pain may occur on an empty stomach, after eating, or at night, and may also be accompanied by heartburn, nausea, belching, or a feeling of fullness in the stomach. For example, gastritis and stomach ulcer are often accompanied by burning or aching pain in the epigastric area.

To clarify the cause, the doctor may recommend gastroscopy — an endoscopic examination that allows the doctor to inspect the mucous membrane of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. As noted by the American College of Gastroenterology, this examination is one of the most important methods for diagnosing diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract.

What the character of abdominal pain means

The character of the pain helps better understand the possible cause of the symptoms. The same organ may hurt in different ways depending on the disease, the stage of its development, or the presence of complications.

Character of pain

What it may mean

Sharp

More often occurs with acute conditions that may require emergency care.

Cutting

May be associated with a pronounced inflammatory process or a strong spasm.

Stabbing

Sometimes occurs during physical exertion, intestinal spasms, or excessive gas formation.

Migrating

Changes location and may be observed with some intestinal diseases or at the beginning of acute conditions.

Acute

May be a sign of acute conditions, including appendicitis, pancreatitis, intestinal obstruction, or other diseases requiring emergency medical care.

Doctors at Oxford Medical note: the appearance of a certain type of pain does not yet indicate a specific disease. The cause can be determined only after an examination and, if necessary, additional testing.

Sharp pain in the lower abdomen

Sudden intense pain in the lower abdomen requires special attention, especially if it worsens quickly. The cause may be acute appendicitis, renal colic, strangulated hernia, or other conditions requiring emergency medical care.

Dangerous symptoms that require urgent medical attention include:

  • nausea or repeated vomiting;
  • fever;
  • cold sweat;
  • dizziness or fainting;
  • severe weakness.

In women, sharp pain in the lower abdomen may also occur with ectopic pregnancy, torsion, or rupture of an ovarian cyst.

Cutting pain in the abdomen

Cutting pain often occurs with acute inflammatory processes in the abdominal cavity or a strong intestinal spasm. It may worsen during movement, coughing, or changes in body position.

If the pain does not decrease, increases rapidly, or is accompanied by high fever, vomiting, or pronounced tension of the abdominal muscles, a surgeon consultation is needed in the nearest future.

Stabbing pain in the abdomen

Stabbing pain may occur after physical exertion, fast walking, or a sudden change in body position. Sometimes it is caused by intestinal spasms or excessive gas formation.

If such pain quickly goes away after rest and does not recur, it does not always indicate a serious disease. However, recurrent or prolonged symptoms are a reason for examination.

Migrating abdominal pain

Migrating pain is pain that changes its location over time or is felt in different areas of the abdomen. This symptom may be observed with functional bowel disorders, intestinal infections, and also at the initial stages of some acute diseases.

Acute pain in the upper abdomen

If acute pain occurs in the upper abdomen, especially in combination with repeated vomiting, cold sweat, severe weakness, or pain that radiates to the back, you need to seek medical help as soon as possible.

This symptom may occur with diseases of the stomach, duodenum, gallbladder, or pancreas. As noted by the American College of Gastroenterology, severe pain in the upper abdomen requires timely diagnosis to rule out dangerous diseases of the digestive organs.

Sharp pain in the lower abdomen after sexual intercourse

If pain during sexual intercourse or immediately after it occurs regularly, this is not normal. In women, it may be associated with endometriosis, ovarian cysts, inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs, or other gynecological conditions. In men, the cause is sometimes inflammatory diseases of the prostate gland or seminal vesicles.

What to do if your abdomen hurts

What to do if your abdomen hurts

If abdominal pain occurs for the first time, first of all pay attention to its intensity, duration, and accompanying symptoms. Short-term abdominal discomfort that appeared after overeating, unfamiliar food, or physical activity and passes quickly does not always indicate a serious disease. At the same time, severe or recurrent abdominal pain requires more careful attention.

Before consulting a doctor, it is advisable to:

  • ensure rest and temporarily avoid physical exertion;
  • refrain from large meals until the pain decreases or its cause is established;
  • drink water in small sips if there is no repeated vomiting;
  • observe whether the location of the pain changes and whether new symptoms appear;
  • if possible, write down when the pain occurred, what could have triggered it, and how it changed over time.

Doctors at Oxford Medical recommend not trying to treat severe abdominal pain on your own. You should not apply heat or take painkillers or other medications uncontrollably if the cause of the pain is unknown. This may change the manifestations of the disease and complicate timely diagnosis.

What you can take for abdominal pain

The choice of medication depends on the cause of the pain, so there is no universal medicine. A remedy that helps with intestinal spasm will not be effective for appendicitis, and in some cases self-medication may only delay the correct diagnosis.

Before consulting a doctor, you can use only those over-the-counter medications whose indications correspond to your symptoms. For example:

  • oral rehydration salt solutions — for vomiting or diarrhea to prevent dehydration;
  • sorbents — in some cases of food poisoning or diarrhea, if there are no contraindications to their use;
  • antacids — for heartburn or a sour taste, if the pain is associated with reflux or increased acidity.

Doctors at Oxford Medical emphasize: you should not take antibiotics, choleretic drugs, enzymes, laxatives, or strong painkillers on your own if the cause of the pain is unknown. Such medications may change the manifestations of the disease, which will complicate establishing the correct diagnosis.

When you need to see a doctor immediately

Do not postpone seeking medical help if the pain:

  • appeared suddenly and is worsening very quickly;
  • lasts for several hours without relief;
  • is accompanied by high fever;
  • is combined with repeated vomiting;
  • is accompanied by blood in vomit or stool;
  • is combined with yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes;
  • appeared after an abdominal injury;
  • is accompanied by fainting, pronounced weakness, or cold sweat.

In most cases, the first specialist people see for long-lasting or recurrent abdominal pain is a gastroenterologist. If the doctor suspects an acute surgical, urological, or gynecological disease, they will refer the patient to the appropriate specialist or recommend emergency hospitalization.

The information in this article is provided for informational purposes and is not an instruction for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. If symptoms of a disease appear, you should consult a doctor.

Sources:

American Academy of Family Physicians

US National Library of Medicine

American College of Gastroenterology