Overview
We all have stomachaches and abdominal pain from time to time. Causes can range from gas to a pulled muscle. But if you get stomachaches often, or they hurt a lot or don’t go away, you may need to see a doctor. Call your doctor if you have:
- Abdominal discomfort no matter what position you’re in or persistent discomfort
- Chest pain – requires prompt medical attention
- Swelling in the belly
- Pain as the result of an injury or accident
- Bloody stools or dark stools
- Vomiting blood or dark material
- Change in bowel habit
- Unexpected weight loss
- Difficulty swallowing
Diagnosis
First, you’ll meet with your doctor for a thorough physical exam and to discuss your symptoms. This will help your doctor to find the cause and determine what to do about it:
- General: possibly appendicitis, urinary tract infection, Crohn’s disease or irritable bowel syndrome
- Lower abdomen: possibly appendicitis, ectopic pregnancy, diverticulitis or inflammation of the fallopian tubes (salpingitis)
- Upper abdomen: possibly GERD (gastroesophageal reflux), gallstones, pancreatitis or heart attack
- Middle abdomen: possibly appendicitis, a blockage in your intestines, pancreatitis or thoracic aortic aneurysm
- Lower left abdomen: possibly Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis or kidney stones
- Upper left abdomen: possibly shingles, spleen infection, heart attack or hiatal hernia
- Lower right abdomen: possibly cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder), ovarian cysts, appendicitis or stomach flu
- Upper right abdomen: Possibly cholangitis (inflammation of the bile duct), hepatitis, fecal impaction (hardened stools) or peptic ulcer
Your doctor may order tests such as urine, blood and stool tests; X-rays; a CT scan (computed tomography scan), ultrasound, barium swallow, and endoscopy.