Abdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly. Almost everyone experiences pain in the abdomen at one time or another. Most of the time, it is not caused by a serious medical problem. There are many organs in the abdomen. Pain in the abdomen can originate from any one of them, including: Organs related to digestion -- the end of the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas The aorta -- a large blood vessel that runs straight down the inside of the abdomen The appendix -- an organ in the lower right abdomen that no longer serves much function The kidneys -- two bean-shaped organs that lie deep within the abdominal cavity The spleen -- an organ involved in blood maintenance and infection control However, the pain may start from somewhere else -- like your chest or pelvic area. You may also have a generalized infection, such as the flu or strep throat, that affects many parts of your body. The intensity of the pain does not always reflect the seriousness of the condition causing the pain. Severe abdominal pain can be from mild conditions, such as gas or the cramping of viral gastroenteritis. On the other hand, relatively mild pain or no pain may be present with life-threatening conditions, such as cancer of the colon or early appendicitis.
16 year experience in family medicine
How long it usually lasts:
How common it is:
Body locations
A 19-year old female asked:
2 doctor answers • 1 doctor weighed in
A 34-year old asked:
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 24-year old male asked:
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 32-year old asked:
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 38-year old asked:
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 33-year old male asked:
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 27-year old female asked:
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 26-year old male asked about a 26-year old female:
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 41-year old asked:
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 35-year old asked:
4 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in
A 24-year old female asked about a female:
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 38-year old female asked:
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 26-year old male asked:
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 41-year old asked:
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 43-year old asked:
2 doctor answers • 10 doctors weighed in
A 43-year old male asked:
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 19-year old female asked:
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 45-year old asked:
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 19-year old female asked:
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 45-year old male asked:
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 32-year old asked:
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
A 32-year old asked:
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
A 26-year old asked about a male:
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 43-year old asked:
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A 19-year old female asked:
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 38-year old male asked:
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A female asked:
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 23-year old female asked:
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 22-year old female asked:
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A 18-year old female asked:
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in