Abdominal pain is pain felt anywhere between the chest and groin. This area is a common source of pain.

The abdomen contains a number of organs, including:

• Stomach
• Small intestine
• Large intestine (colon), including the appendix
• Liver
• Pancreas
• Gallbladder
• Spleen
• Adrenal glands
• Kidneys
• Ureters
• Urinary bladder
• Ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus (women)
• Prostate gland (men)

Most of the abdominal organs are contained in a bag-like membrane known as the peritoneum. The abdomen also contains the aorta (the major artery from the heart), other blood vessels, nerves and the lower end of the esophagus. Abdominal pain can originate in any of these areas.

Pain felt in the abdomen can also originate in another area of the body, such as the chest. An infection somewhere else in the body (e.g., influenza, strep throat) can trigger abdominal pain. It may also be caused by an organ in the chest, such as the lungs (e.g., pneumonia) or the heart (e.g., a heart attack).  Sometimes nerve impingement in the back can also cause abdominal pain.

The pelvic region, including the urinary bladder, uterus, prostate and other organs, comprises the lower abdomen. This area is often considered separately from the abdomen.

Abdominal pain is common and many times does not result from a serious condition. In other cases, however, medical treatment is necessary. The intensity of the pain is not always an indicator of the seriousness of a condition. Gas, for example, is a mild condition that can cause severe abdominal pain. On the other hand, life-threatening conditions, such as colorectal cancer and appendicitis, can cause mild pain in the abdomen.

In general, patients should contact their physician when:

• The pain is severe, frequent or constant (lasting one week or more)
• The pain worsens
• The pain is accompanied by:
  
  
• • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness
  • Bleeding
  • Vomiting
  • Bloating (lasting more than two days)
  • Diarrhea (lasting more than five days)
  • Painful urination (dysuria) or increased urination (polyuria)
  • Pain in the shoulder blades and nausea
  • Menstruation
  • Pregnancy
  • Loss of appetite
  • Unexplained weight changes
  • Fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.7 degrees Celsius) for adults or 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) for children

Patients should seek emergency medical treatment when:

• The abdominal pain comes on suddenly and is sharp
• The abdominal pain is accompanied by:
  
  
• • Pain in the chest, neck or shoulder
  • Vomiting blood or feces
  • Blood in the stool
  • Swollen and tender abdomen
  • Hard-feeling and tender abdomen
  • An inability to pass stool or urine