If your abdominal pain does not match the situations above, but it is recurrent keeps coming back or persistent ongoing , or it started mild but is worsening, you should still consult a doctor. Abdominal pain is one of the most common symptoms seen by GPs doctors who work in general practice. Information about your symptoms and the location of the abdominal pain can help a doctor diagnose the cause of your pain.
They will want to know how long you have had the pain and may want to do a physical examination. If you are female, this may include a pelvic examination. If you are male, it may include checking your penis and scrotum. They may suggest you have some blood tests or other diagnostic procedures done, especially if you have had the symptoms for some time.
Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist. Mild abdominal pain may go away on its own within hours or days. Mild pain and related symptoms can also often be treated with medicines from the pharmacy.
Your pharmacist will be able to advise you on what type of product is best suited to your situation. You should not use aspirin or anti-inflammatory medicines , such as ibuprofen, to treat abdominal pain, other than period pain. These medicines may cause or irritate a stomach or bowel problem.
Gas — Medicines designed to break down gas bubbles, such as antacids containing simethicone, are available over the counter.
Gas-reducing medicines such as charcoal products, may help with ongoing wind problems. Dietary changes may also help. Gastroenteritis — This usually only lasts a few days and clears up by itself.
Rehydrating by drinking plenty of clear fluids is the most important treatment. Pain due to muscle spasms — Spasms in the wall of the bowel may be eased by antispasmodic medicines. Several are available, so talk to your pharmacist or doctor about which are right for you. Pain due to stomach ulcers or duodenal ulcers — This type of pain is usually managed by trying to heal the ulcers, which will relieve the symptoms.
This may involve acid-reducing medicines and antibiotics prescribed by your doctor. There are many other causes of abdominal pain and your doctor will be able to advise on the appropriate treatment once the cause is known. In some cases, such as appendicitis or bowel obstruction, the person may need emergency surgery.
Eating enough fibre and doing regular exercise can help prevent constipation and keep your bowels working well, which will prevent some forms of abdominal pain. It will also reduce your long-term risk of some diseases, such as diverticular disease or bowel cancer.
Drinking plain water — but not carbonated or fizzy drinks — will reduce the chance of pain from bloating as well as keeping your body healthy. Following a specific diet can help reduce pain due to lactose intolerance , gallstones , irritable bowel syndrome and trapped gas, or wind. Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content. Read more on Sydney Children's Hospitals Network website. Read more on Better Health Channel website. Diarrhoea is gastrointestinal disturbance with frequent watery stools.
Symptoms include abdominal pain, feeling sick and fatigue. Read more on myDr website. Idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis is a rare inflammatory condition that can lead to abdominal pain and kidney failure.
Gallstones are lumps of crystal that develop within the gall bladder. Gallstones cause intense abdominal pain that lasts for minutes to hours.
Irritable bowel syndrome IBS is a disorder in which the normal rhythmic movement of your gut bowel is disturbed - this can lead to abdominal pain, bloating and excessive gas. Familial Mediterranean fever is a rare autoinflammatory disorder. Serious causes of abdominal pain include appendicitis and pregnancy problems. However, most abdominal pain is harmless and goes away without surgery. Most people only need relief from their symptoms. Sometimes, abdominal pain can stop and the cause will never be known, or it may be that the cause becomes more obvious with time.
Go straight to your doctor or the emergency department of the nearest hospital if you have any of:. There are many reasons why you may have pain in your abdomen. People often worry about appendicitis, gallstones, ulcers, infections and pregnancy problems. Doctors also worry about these, as well as many other conditions. Abdominal pain may not come from the abdomen. Some surprising causes include heart attacks and pneumonias, conditions in the pelvis or groin, some skin rashes like shingles, and problems with stomach muscles like a strain.
The pain may occur along with problems in passing urine or with bowel motions, or period problems. With so many organs and structures in the abdomen, it can be hard for a doctor to be absolutely sure about the cause of your problem. The doctor will ask you several questions and then examine you carefully. The doctor may perform no further tests.
The cause of your pain may be quite clearly not serious. Another scenario may be that the doctor is unable to find a cause, but the pain gets better within hours or days. All the doctor can do is to be sure that the pain does not require surgery or admission to hospital. If you do have tests, the doctor will explain the results to you.
Some results may take a number of days to come back and these will be sent to your local doctor. Most abdominal pain goes away without special treatment.
Be guided by your doctor, but there are some things you can do to help ease the pain, including:. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. During fetal development, the diaphragm or abdominal wall may fail to properly fuse, allowing the abdominal organs to protrude. Children may feel stomach pain for a range of reasons and may need treatment. Adhesions may have no signs or symptoms, or they may cause pain by pulling on nerves. Abdominal pain can be crampy, achy, dull, intermittent or sharp.
Inflammation or diseases that affect the organs in the abdomen can cause abdominal pain. Major organs located in the abdomen include:. Viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections that affect the stomach and intestines may also cause significant abdominal pain.
Abdominal pain can be caused by many conditions. However, the main causes are infection, abnormal growths, inflammation, obstruction blockage , and intestinal disorders. Infections in the throat, intestines, and blood can cause bacteria to enter your digestive tract, resulting in abdominal pain.
These infections may also cause changes in digestion, such as diarrhea or constipation. Cramps associated with menstruation are also a potential source of lower abdominal pain, but these are more commonly known to cause pelvic pain. Diseases that affect the digestive system can also cause chronic abdominal pain. The most common are:. Localized pain is limited to one area of the abdomen. This type of pain is often caused by problems in a particular organ. The most common cause of localized pain is stomach ulcers open sores on the inner lining of the stomach.
Cramp-like pain may be associated with diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or flatulence. In women, it can be associated with menstruation, miscarriage, or reproductive complications. This pain comes and goes, and may go away on its own without treatment.
Colicky pain is a symptom of more severe conditions, such as gallstones or kidney stones. This pain occurs suddenly, and may feel like a severe muscle spasm. Mild abdominal pain may go away without treatment.
However, in some cases, abdominal pain may warrant a trip to the doctor. Call if your abdominal pain is severe and associated with trauma from an accident or injury or pressure or pain in your chest.
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