Abdominal Pain — What the Location Tells You
Also described as stomach pain, tummy pain, belly pain.
Where the pain sits narrows the cause: upper right suggests the gallbladder, lower right the appendix, upper middle the stomach. Severe pain with a rigid abdomen, persistent vomiting or fever is a surgical emergency. Iswarya Hospital, OMR Chennai, has 24×7 emergency surgical and endoscopy cover.
🚨 Get emergency care if you have
- •Severe pain with a hard, rigid abdomen that is tender to touch
- •Pain with persistent vomiting, or vomiting blood
- •Pain with high fever and chills
- •Black, tarry stools or blood in the stool
- •Pain that began around the navel and moved to the lower right
What causes abdominal pain?
Appendicitis
Pain starting near the navel and migrating to the lower right, with nausea and fever. A surgical emergency.
Gallstones
Intense upper-right pain after fatty meals, sometimes with jaundice.
Acid reflux or gastritis
Burning upper-middle pain, related to meals, often with a sour taste.
Hernia
A bulge in the groin or abdominal wall, more painful on coughing or lifting.
Irritable bowel syndrome
Cramping with a change in bowel habit, relieved by passing stool, without alarm features.
How it is investigated
- ✓Abdominal examination and ultrasound
- ✓Blood counts, liver and pancreatic enzymes
- ✓Upper GI endoscopy or colonoscopy where indicated
- ✓CT abdomen in acute or unclear presentations
Not every patient needs every test. The consultation decides which of these apply to you.
Frequently asked questions
Which abdominal pain needs emergency care?▼
Pain that is severe and constant, with a rigid abdomen, fever, repeated vomiting, or blood in vomit or stool. Pain that starts near the navel and settles in the lower right should be assessed the same day, since appendicitis worsens quickly.
Can gas cause severe abdominal pain?▼
Trapped wind can be genuinely painful, but it shifts, eases after passing wind or stool, and does not come with fever, vomiting or a rigid abdomen. Pain that stays in one place for hours deserves examination.
This page is general health information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for a consultation. Symptoms overlap between harmless and serious conditions, and only an examination can tell them apart. If you are worried, see a doctor.
Plan your first visit
Not sure which specialist to see? Tell our care team the reason for your visit and we will help you choose.
- Bring previous prescriptions, relevant test reports or scan images, a medication list and photo ID.
- If you plan to use insurance, bring your policy details. OPD, tests and admission benefits depend on your individual plan and approval.
- Your first consultation determines which tests or treatments are needed; not everyone needs every test listed on this page.
Appointments are requests until confirmed. In a medical emergency, call 044 2025 2025 or go to the nearest emergency department.