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Abdominal Pain Causes

Abdominal (belly) pain can have many causes. Often the specific symptoms help determine the cause of the pain.

Causes of belly pain
Cause Most common symptoms
Gastrointestinal problems, such as constipation, gallbladder disease, bowel obstruction, pancreatitis, appendicitis, gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or diverticulitis
  • Belly pain or cramping
  • Change in bowel habits
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Bloating
  • Blood in stool or in vomit
Food poisoning
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea (feeling sick to your stomach)
  • Vomiting
  • Belly cramps
Urinary problems, such as a kidney stone, kidney disease, kidney infection, or bladder infection
  • Burning when urinating
  • Blood in the urine
  • Flank pain or lower pelvic pain
  • Need to urinate small amounts frequently
  • Unable to urinate
  • Fever
Dietary, such as lactose intolerance or food allergy
  • Chronic, generalized belly pain
  • Diarrhea (nonbloody)
  • Gas and bloating
Inflammatory disease, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
  • Diarrhea (may be bloody)
  • Fever (may come and go)
  • Generalized belly pain (frequently awakens you at night)
  • Weight loss
Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Chronic or intermittent belly pain with either diarrhea or constipation (pain does not awaken you at night)
  • Increases with stress
  • No weight loss
Ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage
  • Belly pain (may be severe)
  • Vaginal bleeding
  • Common pregnancy symptoms
Infection with a parasite, such as giardia
  • Diarrhea (nonbloody)
  • Belly pain or cramping
  • Gas and bloating
  • Weight loss
Reproductive problems, such as endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
  • Belly pain or cramping
  • Fever
  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding
  • Abnormal vaginal discharge
  • Pain with intercourse
Sickle cell disease
  • Belly pain
  • Pain in the arms and legs, the chest, or the spinal bones
Blood vessel problems, such as an aortic aneurysm or peripheral arterial disease
  • Sudden belly pain or back pain
  • Drop in blood pressure
  • Signs of shock
Hernias, such as hiatal, inguinal, or umbilical
  • Belly pain
  • Bulging area in the belly or groin

Related Information

Credits

Current as of: March 22, 2026

Author: WebMD Ignite Staff
Clinical Review Board
All WebMD Ignite education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Current as of: March 22, 2026

Author: WebMD Ignite Staff

Clinical Review Board
All WebMD Ignite education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.