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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffAbdominal pain is pain and discomfort that occurs in your abdomen. Your abdomen is the section of your torso between your chest and your pelvis. Other terms used to describe the abdomen are stomach, tummy, gut and belly.
Everyone experiences abdominal pain from time to time. Abdominal pain can be mild or severe. And abdominal pain can be short-lived (acute) or occur over weeks and months (chronic).
Most cases of abdominal pain aren't emergencies. But 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. Also seek immediate medical help if pain is accompanied by other worrisome signs and symptoms, such as bloody diarrhea or chest pain.
Causes- Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2009. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:1031-1033. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/109418463-2/0/1701/0.html. Accessed Nov. 6, 2008.
- Schiller LR. Abdominal Pain. American College of Gastroenterology. http://www.acg.gi.org/patients/gihealth/aps.asp. Accessed Nov. 8, 2008.
- Peterson DM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz. Nov. 26, 2008.
