Pain in the abdomen (abdominal pain) can be caused by many things. Often, abdominal pain is not serious and it gets better with no treatment or by being treated at home. However, sometimes abdominal pain is serious.

Your healthcare provider will ask questions about your medical history and do a physical examination to try to determine the cause of your abdominal pain.

Follow these instructions at home:

Contact a healthcare provider if:

• Your abdominal pain changes or gets worse.

• You are not hungry or you lose weight without trying.

• You are constipated or have diarrhoea for more than 2–3 days.

• You have pain when you pass urine or have a bowel movement.

• Your abdominal pain wakes you up at night.

• Your pain gets worse with meals, after eating or with certain foods.

• You are vomiting and cannot keep anything down.

• You have a fever.

• You have blood in your urine.

Get help right away if:

• Your pain does not go away as soon as your healthcare provider told you to expect.

• You cannot stop vomiting.

• Your pain is only in areas of the abdomen, such as the right side or the left lower portion of the abdomen. Pain on the right side could be caused by appendicitis.

• You have bloody or black stools, or stools that look like tar.

• You have severe pain, cramping or bloating in your abdomen.

• You have signs of dehydration, such as:

  • Dark urine, very little urine, or no urine.

  • Cracked lips.

  • Dry mouth.

  • Sunken eyes.

  • Sleepiness.

  • Weakness.

• You have trouble breathing or chest pain.

Summary

• Often, abdominal pain is not serious and it gets better with no treatment or by being treated at home. However, sometimes abdominal pain is serious.

• Watch your condition for any changes.

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your healthcare provider.

• Contact a healthcare provider if your abdominal pain changes or gets worse.

• Get help right away if you have severe pain, cramping or bloating in your abdomen.

This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.