Abdominal pain is a very common symptom that generally occurs due to poor digestion or constipation, but can also indicate more serious problems, such as gastroenteritis, ulcers, urinary tract infections or appendicitis, for example.
Generally, abdominal pain is considered more serious when it is associated with other symptoms such as weight loss, blood in the stool or fever.
In case of persistent or frequent abdominal pain, it is advisable to consult a general practitioner or gastroenterologist. In the case of very severe abdominal pain or accompanied by other serious symptoms, it is recommended to seek medical emergency.
What could your abdominal pain be?
To find out the possible cause of your abdominal pain, please answer the following questions:
This tool only serves as a guide to try to identify the possible cause of your abdominal pain. It should not replace consultation with a doctor, who is the only professional capable of confirming the diagnosis and recommending appropriate treatment.
Main causes of abdominal pain
The main causes of abdominal pain are:
1. Poor digestion
Abdominal pain is often caused by poor digestion, also known as functional dyspepsia.
It can be perceived as stitching, tightness or burning in the upper part of the abdomen and can be accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, satiety even after eating little and loss of appetite. Check out what dyspepsia is and its symptoms.
What to do: functional dyspepsia is not considered a serious problem, and there is no specific cause for the pain, however it is important to consult a gastroenterologist or general practitioner to confirm the diagnosis. When indicated, treatment may involve medications such as omeprazole, ranitidine or metoclopramide.
2. Constipation
Constipation is when bowel movements are infrequent and the feces become very hard, requiring excessive effort to evacuate. In this case, symptoms such as squeezing or stabbing abdominal pain and malaise are common and are usually caused by the accumulation of gas and bloating in the abdomen.
What to do: In case of constipation, it is recommended to increase your intake of liquids, fruits, vegetables and fiber, as well as do regular physical exercise. Check out more tips to improve constipation.
However, if constipation persists or is accompanied by symptoms such as blood in the stool or weight loss, it is important to consult a general practitioner or gastroenterologist for a more detailed evaluation.
3. Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis is an infection of the intestine usually caused by viruses or bacteria. In addition to abdominal pain, it can cause other symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and fever.
What to do: Gastroenteritis usually improves within a few days with simple measures such as drinking plenty of fluids and eating easily digestible foods. Know what to eat in case of gastroenteritis.
However, if symptoms do not improve, or worsen, it is important to consult a general practitioner, as medication such as antibiotics and antiemetics may be necessary. Furthermore, in case of symptoms such as drowsiness or low blood pressure, it is recommended to go to an emergency room for evaluation.
4. Urinary tract infection
Urinary tract infections can also cause abdominal pain, usually located in the lower belly. Other symptoms that may appear are pain or burning when urinating, frequent urges to go to the bathroom and blood in the urine. Check out more symptoms of urinary infection.
What to do: It is important to consult a general practitioner, urologist or gynecologist for an evaluation if you suspect a urinary tract infection, because appropriate treatment usually involves the use of antibiotics.
5. Irritable bowel syndrome
Abdominal pain caused by irritable bowel syndrome usually lasts for more than 3 months and its location in the belly tends to change over time. In addition to pain, other symptoms may also appear, such as hard stools, diarrhea and swelling in the abdomen.
What to do: If irritable bowel syndrome is suspected, it is important to consult a gastroenterologist to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment depends on the existing symptoms and may involve medications such as laxatives, antidiarrheals and antidepressants.
In addition, changes in diet may be recommended, such as avoiding fatty and spicy foods and drinking coffee, for example. See what the diet for irritable bowel syndrome should be like.
6. Lactose intolerance
Lactose intolerance can cause abdominal pain that tends to start between 30 minutes and 2 hours after eating foods containing milk. Normally, other symptoms also appear, such as excess gas or belly noises and diarrhea.
What to do: Abdominal pain usually improves by avoiding foods containing milk. However, it is important to consult a gastroenterologist to confirm the diagnosis, and medications may be indicated to aid lactose digestion. Find out what a lactose intolerance diet should be like.
7. Gallstones
Gallstones can cause abdominal pain just below the ribs on the right side of the belly, as well as nausea and vomiting. Generally, the pain begins about 1 hour after eating a very fatty meal and can take up to 5 hours to disappear.
What to do: If you suspect gallstones, it is important to consult a gastroenterologist, and medications may be recommended to dissolve the stones, avoid the consumption of fatty foods and remove the gallbladder through surgery. Check out home remedy options for gallstones.
8. Hepatitis
Abdominal pain from hepatitis usually appears below the ribs on the right side of the belly, and can be caused by some viruses, excessive alcohol consumption and incorrect use of some medications, such as paracetamol and antibiotics.
In addition to abdominal pain, other symptoms such as yellowing of the skin and eyes, nausea and vomiting may appear. Find out more symptoms of hepatitis.
What to do: In case of suspected hepatitis, it is recommended to consult a hepatologist and gastroenterologist to identify the cause and indicate the most appropriate treatment, which may involve stopping possible causative medications, the use of specific antivirals and avoiding alcohol consumption.
9. Peptic ulcer
A peptic ulcer is a wound that can appear in the stomach or duodenum, and can cause abdominal pain, which tends to be perceived as a burning sensation in the upper part of the belly. There may also be other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and weight loss.
The risk of peptic ulcers is higher in people who use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or who have a peptic ulcer infection. H. pylori.
What to do: If you suspect a peptic ulcer, it is important to consult a general practitioner or gastroenterologist to confirm the diagnosis and initiate the most appropriate treatment, which generally includes the use of antacids and, in some cases, antibiotics. Find out what the diet should be like for someone with an ulcer.
10. COVID-19
Abdominal pain caused by COVID-19 is often accompanied by symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. In addition, other symptoms are usually present, such as cough, runny or stuffy nose, and fever. See how to identify the main symptoms of COVID-19.
What to do: It is recommended to consult a general practitioner, pulmonologist or infectious disease specialist for an evaluation if you suspect COVID-19, because treatment usually involves medications such as analgesics, antipyretics or specific antivirals.
Additionally, it may be necessary to stay in the hospital in more serious cases. Find out how COVID-19 is treated.
11. Appendicitis
Appendicitis generally causes abdominal pain that initially spreads throughout the abdomen, but after a day or two it changes location and becomes more intense in the lower part of the abdomen on the right.
Additionally, other symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting may also occur.
What to do: If appendicitis is suspected, it is recommended to go to an emergency room for an evaluation. Exams such as ultrasound and computed tomography may be indicated. When the diagnosis is confirmed, treatment usually involves removing the appendix through surgery. See how surgery to remove the appendix is performed.
Types of abdominal pain
The way the pain manifests itself can also help find its cause, such as:
- Burning pain: The pain that arises in the stomach due to gastritis, ulcers and reflux generally appears with a burning or stinging sensation in this region.
- Colicky pain: problems with the intestine, such as diarrhea or constipation, and also with the gallbladder can manifest as cramps. They also appear in pain caused in the uterus, such as menstrual cramps.
- Stinging or needling: pain caused by excess gas, or by inflammation in the abdomen, such as appendicitis or intestinal inflammation. See other signs of appendicitis.
There are also other types of abdominal pain, such as a feeling of being full or bloated, squeezing pain or a non-specific sensation of pain, when the person does not know how to identify exactly how the pain arises.
Abdominal pain during pregnancy
Abdominal pain during pregnancy usually arises due to changes in the woman’s uterus and constipation, which are common at this stage. However, if the pain worsens or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as bleeding, it may indicate more serious problems, such as an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage. See other causes of abdominal pain during pregnancy and when to see a doctor.
When to go to the hospital
It is recommended to seek an emergency room when abdominal pain is very intense or accompanied by symptoms such as:
- Fever above 38ºC;
- Persistent or bloody vomiting;
- Bleeding in the stool;
- Somnolence;
- Low pressure;
- Inability to eliminate feces or gas;
- Weight loss.
In these cases, abdominal pain may indicate more serious illnesses, such as gastroenteritis or appendicitis, requiring rapid evaluation.
