Definition

Everyone experiences abdominal pain from time to time. Other terms used to describe abdominal pain are stomachache, tummy ache, gut ache and bellyache. Abdominal pain can be mild or severe. It may be continuous or come and go. Abdominal pain can be short-lived (acute) or occur over weeks, months or years (chronic).

Call your doctor right away if you have abdominal pain so severe that you can't move without causing more pain, or you can't sit still or find a comfortable position.

Seek immediate medical help if pain is accompanied by other worrisome signs and symptoms, including:

• Severe pain
• Fever
• Bloody stools
• Persistent nausea and vomiting
• Weight loss
• Skin that appears yellow
• Severe tenderness when you touch your abdomen
• Swelling of the abdomen