Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain is discomfort anywhere in the area between your chest and groin. This area, called the abdomen, contains many important organs besides the stomach. Pain can come from any of these organs or even from elsewhere, like the chest. Severe pain does not always mean a serious problem, and mild pain does not always mean it is not serious.

Symptoms

• Sudden and sharp abdominal pain
• Pain in the chest, neck, or shoulder
• Vomiting blood or blood in stool
• Abdomen that is stiff, hard, and tender to touch
• Inability to move bowels, especially with vomiting

Causes

According to the source, abdominal pain can come from any of the organs in the abdomen. Specific causes mentioned in reviews include gastroduodenal artery pseudoaneurysm following acute pancreatitis, and extrapelvic endometriosis.

When to see a doctor

Call your health care provider if mild pain lasts a week or more or if you have pain with other symptoms. Get medical help immediately if you have abdominal pain that is sudden and sharp, pain in your chest, neck or shoulder, vomiting blood or have blood in your stool, your abdomen is stiff, hard and tender to touch, or you can't move your bowels, especially if you're also vomiting.