Pain and bloating in the abdomen and stomach area can happen for many reasons, from constipation and indigestion to more severe conditions like gallstones or a blockage.

Abdominal bloating occurs when the abdomen fills with air or gas. This may cause the area to appear larger or swollen. Healthcare professionals may also refer to this as distension.

The abdomen may also feel hard or tight to the touch. It can cause discomfort and abdominal pain.

Keep reading to learn about the possible causes of abdominal bloating and pain and the factors that might mean you need urgent medical attention.

Keeping track of how often you experience abdominal bloating and pain, and what triggers it, may help determine the cause.

Many possible health conditions can cause abdominal pain and bloating. They include:

  • dietary causes, like food intolerances
  • illnesses or infections
  • structural issues, like a hernia, or growths blocking the digestive tract
  • chronic conditions like celiac disease or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Dietary causes can include:

Infections that can cause abdominal pain and bloating may include:

Structural issues in your digestive tract may result from:

Chronic conditions that may cause abdominal pain and bloating may include:

Other causes can include:

Sometimes, abdominal pain and bloating can be an indicator of serious health conditions that may require immediate medical attention.

If you have severe or concerning symptoms, it’s best to get medical attention as soon as possible.

You may need urgent medical attention if you have abdominal pain and bloating along with any of the following symptoms:

It’s worth talking with a doctor if you experience abdominal pain and bloating that occurs:

If you don’t already have a gastroenterologist, our Healthline FindCare tool can help you connect to physicians in your area.

Treatments for abdominal bloating and pain depend on the underlying condition.

Examples may include:

  • medication to treat an infection or acid reflux
  • temporary bowel rest for some chronic conditions like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
  • dietary changes if you have food intolerances or IBS
  • medication to encourage food to move through your intestines
  • surgery to remove a growth blocking the digestive tract

Home care

For mild to moderate bloating that doesn’t have a severe cause, you may be able to find some relief at home. Try to:

  • Drink plenty of water or other clear fluids to help reduce abdominal pain and bloating.
  • Avoid pain medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) until you know your pain isn’t due to an abdominal condition such as a gastric ulcer or an intestinal obstruction.
  • Avoid solid foods for a few hours and eat softer, bland foods such as rice or applesauce.
  • Try taking over-the-counter gas-reducing medications, such as simethicone drops or digestive enzymes, to help relieve bloating.
  • Try using a heating pad to help move gas along through your digestive tract.
  • Take a walk to help stimulate your digestive tract.

If your pain doesn’t improve or worsens despite trying home care, you may need urgent medical attention.

Pain in different areas of the abdomen can mean different things.

Abdominal pain can be anywhere between the chest and the pelvis. People often call it a stomachache. The pain can feel:

  • cramp-like
  • achy
  • dull
  • sharp

Causes of abdominal bloating and pain can vary from mild to severe. Most of the time, abdominal bloating and pain occur due to:

  • overeating
  • gas
  • stress
  • indigestion

This bloating or pain usually goes away on its own in a few hours.

In cases of the stomach flu, you may feel intense pain or bloating that comes and goes before each episode of vomiting or diarrhea. Stomach viruses usually go away with rest and home care.

This guide lists the organs associated with different locations of abdominal bloating or pain:

Left side of the abdomen

Upper left:

This part of the abdomen contains:

  • a portion of the stomach
  • the tail of the pancreas
  • the spleen, which filters blood and supports the immune system

Center left and center middle:

The center left and middle of your abdomen contains the:

  • transverse colon, which is the upper part of the large intestine, where unabsorbed food is carried after going through the ascending colon
  • small intestine, which takes up most of the abdomen and is where most food digestion occurs

Lower left:

The lower left abdomen contains the:

  • descending colon
  • sigmoid colon

Both store unabsorbed food remains and waste before they leave your body.

Middle of the abdomen

Upper middle:

The upper middle part of the abdomen contains the:

  • a part of the liver, which filters blood and creates bile (bile helps break down and absorb fat from food)
  • cardiac region of the stomach, where food enters from the esophagus
  • pyloric region of the stomach, the last part of the stomach before food enters the duodenum of the small intestine
  • pancreas, which releases digestive enzymes and hormones

Lower middle:

The lower middle part of the abdomen contains the:

  • urinary bladder, the organ that collects urine for excretion out of the body through the urethra
  • rectum, which carries waste to the anus
  • anus, the final section of the large intestine that carries stool for excretion from the body

Right side of the abdomen

Upper right:

The upper right side of your abdomen contains the:

  • gallbladder, a small sac that stores bile made by the liver
  • liver, which makes bile
  • duodenum, which is the first part of the small intestine where food empties from the stomach

Center right:

The center right side of the abdomen contains the:

  • ascending colon
  • transverse colon

Food passes from the ascending colon to the transverse colon.

Lower right:

The lower right side of the abdomen contains the:

  • cecum, the first part of the large intestine to which the end of the small intestine connects
  • appendix, which may play a role in the immune system
  • small intestine

A doctor usually performs a physical exam where they touch the painful area of your stomach. They may ask if gently pressing it makes it hurt more. The location of the pain may also help them determine which tests to perform to determine the cause of your bloating and pain. They may also ask about your medical history.

Tests for abdominal pain may include:

  • Complete blood count (CBC): A CBC is a blood test that checks for levels of different cells in the blood to rule out an infection or detect blood loss.
  • Other blood tests: They may also check your blood for other indicators of infection.
  • Urine test: A urinalysis can rule out urinary tract disorders like UTIs and check for pregnancy, if you could be pregnant.
  • Stool analysis: A stool analysis checks for abnormalities in your stool that could indicate an infection or problem with your digestive system.
  • Imaging tests: Your doctor may use one or more imaging technologies to check for structural abnormalities in your abdominal organs.

Imaging tests may include:

  • fluoroscopic imaging
  • a plain film X-ray
  • a CT scan
  • MRI scan
  • ultrasound

Avoiding foods that cause abdominal bloating and lower abdominal pain, such as high fat, spicy, or greasy foods, can help reduce most symptoms.

Other lifestyle changes that can prevent the symptoms include:

  • avoiding artificial sweeteners, which may cause bloating
  • drinking plenty of water, which helps to reduce constipation
  • trying a low FODMAP diet or keeping a food journal to determine which foods may cause more gas or bloating for you
  • eating several small meals per day instead of fewer, larger ones
  • exercising regularly