Stomach pain may be caused by a variety of issues, from gas to more serious conditions like appendicitis or Crohn’s disease. Noting the severity and area of the abdomen affected can help with a diagnosis.


Abdominal pain occurs between the chest and pelvic regions. It’s sometimes described as crampy, achy, dull, intermittent, or sharp.

It’s the most common gastrointestinal symptom in the United States, affecting up to 1 in 4 people.

Abdominal pain is usually short-term and will go away on its own with lifestyle and dietary modifications.

However, it could also be chronic or a symptom of a serious, life threatening condition that requires medical attention.

Keep reading to learn more about the types, causes, and treatments of abdominal pain.

There are four different types of abdominal pain:

  • Acute abdominal pain may last up to 1 week.
  • Chronic abdominal pain lasts for at least 3 months.
  • Progressive abdominal pain worsens over time and is generally accompanied by other symptoms.
  • Intermittent abdominal pain comes and goes. You may feel fine one moment but soon experience sharp, sudden pain.

Many conditions may cause abdominal pain, ranging from mild to severe. These can affect different parts of your abdomen and vary in duration.

Common causes of short-term abdominal pain may include:

According to the American College of Gastroenterology, some of the following conditions may cause acute or chronic abdominal pain and require medical treatment.

Acute abdominal pain

Acute abdominal pain may be caused by:

Long-term abdominal pain

Some chronic conditions that may cause abdominal pain include:

Reproductive organ pain

In people assigned female at birth, pain in the reproductive organs of the lower abdomen may be caused by:

Healthcare professionals separate the abdomen into four quadrants to better understand and diagnose abdominal conditions.

Pain in the following abdominal quadrants may be a sign of some of the following health conditions:

It’s important to note this is not a complete list of conditions that may cause pain in each abdominal quadrant. Some conditions may also affect multiple quadrants or the whole abdomen.

If you experience abdominal pain that doesn’t go away, speak with a healthcare professional. They could provide a proper diagnosis and develop a treatment plan for you.

Mild abdominal pain may go away without treatment. For example, if you’re experiencing abdominal pain because of gas or bloating, it may simply need to run its course.

However, abdominal pain may also be a sign of a health condition that requires medical treatment.

Call 911 or get immediate medical attention if you experience sudden, severe abdominal pain and any of the following symptoms:

Make an appointment with a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

Call a doctor if you’re pregnant or nursing and you experience abdominal pain.

The Healthline FindCare tool can help you find a primary care physician in your area.

To diagnose abdominal pain, a healthcare professional will first perform a physical examination. This includes gently pressing on various abdomen areas to check for tenderness and swelling.

They will also ask questions about your symptoms, such as:

  • Where exactly are you feeling the pain?
  • Has the pain always been in this one location, or has it moved?
  • How severe is the pain?
  • Is the pain constant, or does it come and go in waves?
  • What were you doing when the pain began?
  • Is there a time of day when the pain is the worst?
  • When was your last bowel movement?
  • Do you have regular bowel movements?
  • Have you noticed any changes in your urine?
  • Have you made any major changes to your diet?

People of reproductive age who were assigned female at birth may also be asked questions about their sexual and menstruation history.

A doctor may then order several tests to help make a diagnosis. These may include:

Treatment for abdominal pain will depend on the underlying cause but may include a combination of natural remedies, medications, and, in some cases, surgery.

For instance, short-term abdominal pain caused by bloating may not require any medical treatment. Some over-the-counter (OTC) medications may also help relieve abdominal pain like cramps, bloating, and nausea.

However, acute pain caused by appendicitis may require antibiotics and removing your appendix (appendectomy).

A healthcare professional will help develop the best treatment plan for you.

Learn more about home remedies to help treat abdominal pain.

Not all forms of abdominal pain are preventable, but you can minimize the risk of developing abdominal pain by:

How to reduce stomach pain?

Treatment for stomach pain will depend on the underlying condition. This may include a combination of natural remedies, OTC drugs, prescription medications, and, in rare cases, surgery.

How do I know if my stomach pain is serious?

Get immediate medical attention if you experience sudden, severe stomach pain that is accompanied by trouble breathing, chest pain, black, bloody, and tarry stools, or vomiting.

What is the best over-the-counter medication for stomach pain?

Some over-the-counter medications for stomach pain, cramps, and bloating include antacids and antispasmodic.

What to drink to settle the stomach?

Beverages that may help settle your stomach include chamomile, ginger, lemon, and peppermint teas.

Abdominal pain may be caused by many conditions, but it’s often not serious

Speak with a doctor if the pain doesn’t improve after a few days. If you experience severe pain suddenly, get immediate medical attention.

A doctor could help provide a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

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