Abdominal pain is incredibly common and usually settles on its own. But the abdomen holds many organs, so where the pain sits, how it feels, and what comes with it all offer clues to the cause. This guide walks through abdominal pain by location and highlights the symptoms that should prompt urgent care rather than watchful waiting.
Upper abdominal pain
- Upper middle (just below the breastbone): often indigestion, acid reflux, gastritis, or a stomach ulcer.
- Upper right: may involve the gallbladder (gallstones) or liver, especially if the pain follows fatty meals.
- Upper left: less common, sometimes related to the stomach, spleen, or pancreas.
- Note: pain in the upper abdomen can occasionally be a heart problem in disguise, particularly with sweating, breathlessness, or arm or jaw pain.
Lower abdominal pain
- Lower right: classic site for appendicitis, especially if pain starts near the navel and moves there.
- Lower left: often related to the bowel, such as constipation or diverticulitis.
- Lower middle: bladder infections, and in women, period pain or gynecological causes.
- Spreading or one-sided lower pain: can signal urinary, ovarian, or, in early pregnancy, an ectopic pregnancy, which is an emergency.
Pain across the whole abdomen
Widespread or cramping pain with diarrhea and vomiting often points to gastroenteritis (a stomach bug). Trapped wind, food intolerances, irritable bowel syndrome, and stress can also cause generalized cramping that comes and goes. These usually improve with rest, fluids, and time.
Self-care for mild abdominal pain
- Sip clear fluids to stay hydrated, especially with vomiting or diarrhea.
- Eat small, bland meals as your appetite returns.
- Rest and use a warm compress for cramping.
- Avoid alcohol, very fatty or spicy foods, and unnecessary painkillers that can irritate the stomach. Ask a pharmacist what is safe for you.
Abdominal pain that needs emergency care
Call 911 (US/Canada), 999 (UK), or 112 (EU) for: sudden severe or worsening pain; a rigid, hard, very tender abdomen; pain with vomiting blood or passing black or bloody stools; pain with a high fever; pain with chest symptoms or breathlessness; or severe pain in early pregnancy. Also seek urgent care for pain in the lower right that steadily worsens (possible appendicitis).
When to book a doctor visit
- Pain lasting more than a few days or that keeps returning.
- A persistent change in bowel habits, especially over weeks.
- Unexplained weight loss, ongoing bloating, or loss of appetite.
- Pain with burning when you urinate or blood in the urine.
- Heartburn or stomach pain that needs frequent over-the-counter relief.
Because so many organs share the abdomen, a clinician's questions and examination are often the quickest way to narrow down the cause. You can discuss persistent or unexplained abdominal pain with a verified, licensed doctor on iHealix and decide whether tests are needed. This guide is for general information only and does not replace a personal medical assessment.