Abdominal Pain: Symptoms, Causes & When to See a Doctor

If you have been dealing with persistent abdominal pain, it’s natural to feel concerned. Perhaps the discomfort is waking you at night or making it harder to get through your day, leaving you unsure whether to see a doctor now or wait a little longer.

In many cases, abdominal pain is linked to common digestive issues and settles with rest and simple care. Still, some types of pain do need medical attention, especially if they persist or worsen.

Learning how to recognise warning signs, understand what different patterns of pain may suggest, and know when to seek help can protect your health and give you greater peace of mind.

What is abdominal pain?

Abdominal pain is any discomfort you feel in your area between your chest and your hips. This is where your stomach, bowels, liver, and other digestive organs are located.

The pain can feel different depending on what's causing it. 

You might experience pain that is:

• Sharp and stabbing

• Dull and constant aching

• Cramping that comes and goes in waves

• Burning sensation

• Pressure or bloating

Knowing the type and location of your pain helps you communicate with your doctor and gives important clues about what might be causing it. This information guides the assessment and helps determine the most appropriate treatment.

If your pain comes on suddenly and feels severe, it’s important to get medical attention promptly. Pain that builds up slowly over days or weeks should also be checked, even if it feels milder to you.

Understanding where your pain is located

Different organs sit in different areas of your abdomen, so where you feel pain can point to which organ or system might be affected. Here's a guide to help you identify what might be causing pain in different areas:

When you visit a doctor, being able to describe where your pain is located and whether it moves or stays in one place helps them narrow down the possible causes and decide what tests or examinations you might need.

Common causes that can usually improve at home

Not all abdominal pain needs medical treatment, and many cases settle on their own. If your pain is mild and you have a good sense of what's causing it, you can often manage it with simple measures at home.

Common examples that usually improve at home include:

• When you've eaten too much or too quickly

• Mild indigestion from fatty foods

• Temporary gas or bloating that comes and goes

• Minor stomach upset from dietary changes

If you're managing pain at home, try these steps:

• Rest and avoid strenuous activity

• Stay hydrated with water or clear fluids

• Stick to bland, easy-to-digest foods like toast, rice, or crackers

• Avoid foods that might trigger symptoms, like spicy, fatty, or acidic meals

• Apply a hot water bottle to your abdomen for comfort

Most minor abdominal pain improves within a few hours to a day with these steps. If your pain persists beyond 24 hours, worsens, or you develop new symptoms, it's time to seek medical advice.

However, certain types of abdominal pain need medical assessment fairly quickly, even if they don't feel like emergencies. Urgent Care Centres (UCCs) bridge the gap between home care and emergency departments, allowing you to receive same-day assessment and treatment for conditions that need prompt attention but aren't life-threatening.

When abdominal pain needs urgent care

Here are specific conditions where prompt medical assessment at a UCC may be needed to help prevent complications:

Suspected appendicitis

Appendicitis occurs when your appendix becomes inflamed, usually due to a blockage. This inflammation causes the appendix to swell and, if left untreated, can rupture and spread infection throughout your abdomen. This is why immediate assessment is crucial, as early treatment can prevent serious complications.

Appendicitis usually starts as discomfort around your belly button that moves to your lower right abdomen. The pain worsens over hours and becomes sharper.

You might also notice:

• Loss of appetite

• Nausea or vomiting

• Low-grade fever

• Pain that worsens when you move or cough

• Tenderness when touching the lower right side

During your evaluation, your doctor will examine your abdomen and may order blood tests to detect infection. You could also need imaging and, in certain cases, surgery in hospital. Getting treatment early helps prevent your appendix from rupturing.

Kidney infections or kidney stones

• Kidney infections occur when bacteria travel up your urinary tract to your kidneys, causing inflammation and pain. 
• Kidney stones form when minerals in your urine crystallise into hard deposits. 

Both conditions cause similar types of pain because they affect the same organs and can block the flow of urine.

Pain from kidney problems typically starts in your flank (the area between your lower ribs and your hip) before spreading to your lower abdomen. The pain can be intense and come in waves.

Watch for these symptoms:

• Painful or frequent urination

• Blood in your urine

• Fever and chills

• Nausea and vomiting

• Cloudy or foul-smelling urine

At a UCC, you’ll need to provide a urine sample for testing, and your doctor may arrange imaging to check for stones. Treatment may include pain relief, antibiotics if needed, and a follow-up plan. Getting treatment early is important, as untreated kidney infections can cause serious complications.

Severe constipation

Many people experience constipation at times, but severe constipation can cause significant pain and may indicate a blockage in your bowel. When stool becomes too hard or builds up, it can stretch your intestines and cause cramping or sharp pain.

Warning signs include:

• No bowel movement for several days despite trying remedies

• Intense abdominal pain and bloating

• Inability to pass wind

• Vomiting

• Abdominal swelling

Your doctor will examine your abdomen and may order an X-ray to check for blockages. You'll receive treatment to relieve the constipation, which might include medications or other interventions, along with advice about preventing future episodes.

GERD and persistent acid reflux

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) happens when stomach acid repeatedly moves up into your oesophagus, the tube that links your mouth and stomach. Over time, this acid can irritate and damage the lining of your oesophagus, causing pain and other complications.

Mild heartburn is common and usually manageable at home. But if you experience heartburn often, it’s important to see your doctor, as frequent episodes can cause damage to your oesophagus.

Consider urgent care if you experience:

• Heartburn more than twice weekly

• Difficulty swallowing

• Persistent symptoms despite over-the-counter medication

Your doctor may adjust your medication or suggest further tests based on your symptoms. Getting care early can help prevent inflammation of your oesophagus and other complications.

Ongoing digestive problems

Ongoing digestive issues that don't improve on their own may indicate conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, ulcers, or other problems that need medical assessment. While these aren't always emergencies, getting them checked early can prevent them from worsening.

Consider seeking urgent care for digestive concerns when:

• Abdominal pain or digestive discomfort lasts more than a week

• You notice changes in your usual digestive function that don't improve

• Pain or discomfort prevents you from normal activities

• Symptoms that improve temporarily but keep coming back

The urgent care team will check you and may request tests such as blood work or imaging. Depending on the cause, your treatment could include prescriptions, dietary advice, or a specialist referral.

These conditions benefit from prompt assessment. UCCs can evaluate your symptoms, run necessary tests, and either provide treatment or arrange appropriate follow-up care, helping you avoid complications and get back to feeling better.

Abdominal pain in children

Children experience stomach aches frequently, often from minor causes like constipation, viral infections, or dietary changes. Because children's bodies can be more sensitive than adults, it's important to assess their symptoms early.

Seek paediatric urgent care if your child has:

• Severe pain lasting more than two hours

• Pain concentrated in one specific area, particularly the lower right

• Refusal of all food and fluids

• Persistent vomiting

• Fever alongside abdominal pain

• Extreme tiredness or confusion

The urgent care team can assess your child through a gentle physical examination appropriate for their age, checking their abdomen for tenderness and asking questions about their symptoms. They'll provide care and determine whether your child needs specialist review.

When to seek follow-up care

Your urgent care visit may be just the first step in your healthcare journey. Some conditions need ongoing monitoring or specialist input to ensure complete recovery.

Consider seeking follow-up care when:

• Your symptoms return after initial treatment

• You've been given a referral to a specialist

• You need ongoing management of a diagnosed condition

• New symptoms develop after your urgent care visit

• Your symptoms don't improve as expected

It’s helpful to save any records from your urgent care visit to show your regular doctor, so your ongoing care and treatment can be tailored to you.

Most abdominal pain either resolves on its own or responds well to treatment. When you need help, getting the right care at the right time makes all the difference. If something feels wrong or you're worried, seeking advice is always the right choice.

FAQ

What symptoms mean I should go to an urgent care centre?

Can irritable bowel syndrome cause severe abdominal pain?

Yes, irritable bowel syndrome can cause significant stomach pain and cramping, though the intensity varies between individuals. The cramping abdominal pain typically improves after a bowel movement and may be accompanied by bloating, diarrhoea, or constipation.

How do I know if my stomach pain is related to inflammatory bowel disease?

Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, typically causes persistent abdominal pain accompanied by bloody diarrhoea, weight loss, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Unlike temporary stomach aches, these symptoms persist for weeks or months and often worsen over time.

What's the difference between acid reflux and a peptic ulcer?

When should I go to the emergency department for abdominal pain?

Visit the emergency department immediately if you experience severe abdominal pain that starts suddenly, pain with vomiting blood or bloody stools, chest pain alongside stomach pain, signs of shock (rapid pulse, sweating, confusion), or suspected appendicitis or bowel obstruction.

How are food allergies different from lactose intolerance?

Food allergies trigger immune responses, causing abdominal pain, vomiting, hives, or difficulty breathing shortly after eating trigger foods, potentially requiring emergency treatment. Lactose intolerance causes stomach cramps, bloating, and diarrhoea specifically after consuming dairy products but isn't life-threatening.

The information is intended for general guidance only and should not be considered medical advice. For personalised recommendations and advice based on your unique situation, please consult a specialist at Thomson Medical. Request an appointment with Thomson Medical today.