Abdominal Pain Causes

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

Food poisoning

• Diarrhea
• Nausea (feeling sick to your stomach)
• Vomiting
• Abdominal cramps

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

Infection with a parasite, such as giardia

• Diarrhea (nonbloody)
• Abdominal pain or cramping
• Gas and bloating
• Weight loss

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