HEALTH TIP

What Are the Most Common Causes of Abdominal Pain?

Whether it's a mild stomach ache, sharp pain, or stomach cramps, abdominal pain can have numerous causes. Some of the more common causes include:

• Indigestion
• Constipation
• Stomach virus
• Menstrual cramps
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Food poisoning
• Food allergies
• Gas
• Lactose intolerance
• Ulcers
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Hernia
• Gallstones
• Kidney stones
• Endometriosis
• Crohn's disease
• Urinary tract infection
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Appendicitis
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What Symptoms of Abdominal Pain Are Cause for Concern?

If your abdominal pain is severe or recurrent or if it is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, contact your health care provider as soon as possible:

• Fever
• Inability to keep food down for more than 2 days
• Any signs of dehydration
• Inability to pass stool, especially if you are also vomiting
• Painful or unusually frequent urination
• The abdomen is tender to the touch
• The pain is the result of an injury to the abdomen
• The pain lasts for more than a few hours

These symptoms can be an indication of an internal problem that requires treatment as soon as possible.

Seek immediate medical care for abdominal pain if you:

• Vomit blood
• Have bloody or black tarry stools
• Have difficulty breathing
• Have pain occurring during pregnancy