Overview#
Abdominal pain (commonly called "stomach ache" or "pet dard" in Hindi) is one of the most frequent reasons for outpatient and emergency visits in India. The abdomen contains many organs — stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys, and reproductive organs — so the location and nature of pain often provides important clues to the cause.
Most abdominal pain is self-limiting and caused by indigestion, gas, or mild infections. However, certain patterns require urgent evaluation — particularly sudden severe pain, pain with fever, or pain with vomiting and inability to pass stools.
Common Causes#
- Gastritis / acid reflux (GERD) — burning upper abdominal pain, often after spicy food, tea on empty stomach, or NSAID use. Extremely common in India.
- Gastroenteritis — infection causing crampy pain, diarrhoea, nausea, and sometimes fever. Often related to contaminated food or water.
- Gallstones — right upper abdominal pain radiating to the back or shoulder, typically after fatty meals. More common in women over 40.
- Kidney stones — severe, colicky flank pain radiating to the groin. India's "stone belt" (Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Punjab) has higher prevalence.
- Appendicitis — pain starting around the navel and migrating to the right lower abdomen, with fever and nausea. A surgical emergency.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) — recurrent crampy abdominal pain with bloating, alternating constipation and diarrhoea. Affects 4–10 % of Indians.
- Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhoea) — lower abdominal pain during periods, common in young women.
Associated Symptoms#
Abdominal pain may be accompanied by bloating, gas, nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation, fever, loss of appetite, blood in stools, or urinary symptoms (if the cause is urological or gynaecological).
Home Remedies & Self-Care#
- For gas and bloating: drink ajwain (carom seed) water or jeera (cumin) water; walk for 15–20 minutes after meals.
- For acidity: avoid spicy, oily food, raw onion, citrus, and tea on an empty stomach. Take small, frequent meals.
- Stay hydrated — ORS or coconut water for gastroenteritis with diarrhoea.
- Apply a warm compress to the lower abdomen for menstrual cramps.
- Avoid self-medicating with antibiotics for every episode of loose stools.
- Eat a high-fibre diet (fruits, vegetables, whole grains) to prevent constipation-related pain.
When It's Serious#
Seek immediate medical care if:
- Pain is sudden, severe, and persistent — especially in the right lower (appendicitis) or right upper (gallbladder) abdomen.
- Abdomen is rigid, distended, and extremely tender to touch (possible perforation or obstruction).
- Pain is accompanied by high fever, persistent vomiting, or inability to keep fluids down.
- There is blood in vomit (haematemesis) or black, tarry stools (possible GI bleed).
- Severe colicky pain with inability to pass urine (possible kidney stone obstruction).
- Abdominal pain in pregnancy — may indicate ectopic pregnancy or placental abruption.
Diagnosis & Tests#
Your doctor may order:
- Complete Blood Count (CBC) — to check for infection or anaemia.
- Liver Function Tests (LFT) — for right upper abdominal pain.
- Serum amylase & lipase — if pancreatitis is suspected.
- Urine routine — to rule out UTI or kidney stones.
- Ultrasound abdomen — to visualise gallstones, kidney stones, appendicitis, or free fluid.
- Stool routine & culture — for persistent diarrhoea.
- H. pylori test — for recurrent gastritis or peptic ulcer.
- CT abdomen — if ultrasound is inconclusive and acute pathology is suspected.
When to See a Doctor#
See a doctor if abdominal pain is recurrent, lasts more than 48 hours, worsens progressively, or is accompanied by red-flag symptoms. Keeping a food diary can help identify trigger foods for recurrent pain.