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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.
constipation
diarrhea
gastroenteritis (stomach flu)
acid reflux (when stomach contents leak backward into the esophagus,
causing heartburn and other symptoms)
vomiting
stress
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).
Pain that is generalized throughout the abdomen (not in one specific area)
may indicate:
appendicitis
intestinal obstruction
ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that occurs outside the womb)
gallstones
heart attack
hepatitis (liver inflammation)
pneumonia
appendicitis
gastroenteritis
injury
uremia (buildup of waste products in your blood)
Crohn’s disease
cancer
kidney infection
ovarian cysts
appendicitis
enlarged spleen
fecal impaction (hardened stool that can’t be eliminated)
injury
kidney infection
heart attack
cancer
appendicitis
hernia (when an organ protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal
muscles)
kidney infection
cancer
flu
hepatitis
injury
pneumonia
appendicitis
You should seek immediate medical care if the pain is so severe that you
can’t sit still or need to curl into a ball to get comfortable, or if you have any of
the following:
bloody stools
high fever (greater than 101°F)
vomiting up blood (called hematemesis)
persistent nausea or vomiting
yellowing of the skin or eyes
swelling or severe tenderness of the abdomen
difficulty breathing
Make an appointment with your doctor if you experience any of the following
symptoms:
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This information, combined with the severity of the pain and its location within
the abdomen, will help your doctor determine which tests to order.
Blood, urine, and stool samples may also be collected to look for evidence of
bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections.
If you have an intestinal disorder, such as Crohn’s disease, follow the diet
your doctor has given you to minimize discomfort. If you have GERD, don’t
eat within two hours of bedtime.
Lying down too soon after eating may cause heartburn and abdominal pain.
Try waiting at least two hours after eating before lying down.