Abdominal Pain
Gut & DigestiveAppendicitis. Bowel obstruction. Abdominal aortic aneurysm. Ovarian torsion. Cancer.
Gas and bloating. Constipation. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS — affects 10-15% of adults). Acid reflux or gastritis. Muscle strain. A GI bug working its way through. Menstrual cramps.
🧠 The full picture
The abdomen houses a dozen organs and miles of intestines. Most abdominal pain is GI in origin — gas, transit issues, acid — and resolves on its own. The location, character (crampy vs. sharp), timing (after eating vs. random), and associated symptoms matter enormously in distinguishing "normal gut" from "call your doctor."
⚠️ When to actually call your doctor
These are real red flags. If any of these apply, don't wait.
- Severe pain in lower right that's getting worse (appendicitis)
- Board-hard abdomen — like pressing on a muscle tensed as hard as possible
- Pain so severe you can't stand up straight
- Fever with abdominal pain
- Blood in stool
- Sudden onset and not improving after several hours
📚 Sources
This information is based on guidance from:
Always verify important health decisions with your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider.