Abdominal Pain

Gut & Digestive

If this is an emergency, call 911 now. This tool is for general information, not emergency guidance. If you're having severe symptoms, don't read this — get help.

What the internet says

Appendicitis. Bowel obstruction. Abdominal aortic aneurysm. Ovarian torsion. Cancer.

What it probably actually is

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:

American College of GastroenterologyNIH Digestive DiseasesAmerican College of Emergency Physicians

Always verify important health decisions with your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider.

🔗 Related symptoms

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