Stomach Pain: Causes & When to See a Doctor

Indigestion, gas, constipation, gastritis, food intolerance, and viral gastroenteritis cause many mild episodes. Pain related to meals, bloating, or bowel habit change often points to digestive causes.

Gallstones, peptic ulcers, kidney stones, and gynaecological conditions can also cause abdominal pain. Pain location — upper, lower, right, or left — provides important clues.

Seek emergency care for sudden severe pain, rigid abdomen, repeated vomiting blood, black stools, fainting, or pain with high fever. Right lower abdominal pain with fever may suggest appendicitis.

Pregnant women with abdominal pain should seek immediate medical assessment. Do not delay care when pain is the worst you have experienced.