Causes of Abdominal Pain

Learning to Identify Abdominal Pain Emergencies

Abdominal pain is one of the most difficult symptoms to identify a cause. The causes of abdominal pain listed below range from relatively minor conditions to life-threatening emergencies.

When to Call 911 for Abdominal Pain

It's important to call 911 when certain signs and symptoms accompany abdominal pain, regardless of the cause. If a victim of abdominal pain is also experiencing any of the following, call 911:

• sudden, severe onset of abdominal pain
• vomiting blood
• bloody diarrhea
• neck, chest, or shoulder pain
• rigid (hard) and tender abdomen
• not able to have a bowel movement, especially with vomiting
• pain between shoulder blades
• dizziness
• weakness
• sweating
• confusion

Abdominal Pain Causes

Here are links to potential causes of abdominal pain; this list is by no means exhaustive.

• abdominal aortic aneurysm
• appendicitis
• Crohn's disease
• diverticulitis
• ectopic pregnancy
• food poisoning
• gallstones
• GERD (acid reflux)
• heart attack
• irritable bowel syndrome
• kidney stones
• kidney trauma
• twisted bowel (sigmoid volvulus)
• ulcer (gastrointestinal bleeding)

To add additional items or to ask questions about different causes of abdominal pain, email me.