Unexplained abdominal pain
Abdominal pain is pain felt anywhere from below your ribs to your pelvis. It is also known as tummy pain or stomach pain. The abdomen houses many organs, including your stomach, liver, pancreas, small and large bowel, and reproductive organs. There are also major blood vessels in the abdomen.
Serious causes of abdominal pain include appendicitis and pregnancy problems. However, most abdominal pain is harmless and goes away without surgery.
Most people only need relief from their symptoms. Sometimes, abdominal pain can stop and the cause will never be known, or the cause may becomes more obvious with time.
When to see a doctor about abdominal pain
Go straight to your doctor or the emergency department of the nearest hospital if you have any of the following:
severe pain
pain lasting for several hours
pain or vaginal bleeding if you are pregnant
pain in your scrotum if you are a male
pain and vomiting or shortness of breath
pain and vomiting blood
blood in your bowel motions or urine
pain that spreads to your chest, neck or shoulder
fever and sweats
become pale and clammy
unable to pass urine
unable to move your bowels or pass gas
any other concerns.
