EN
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Stomach pain that keeps coming back?
Get a clear answer from board-certified general surgeon Dr. Murtaza Shakir in Katy or Sugar Land. Call (713) 955-9191, or send your details and our team will call you back.
THE SHORT ANSWER
Abdominal pain can come from indigestion, gas, reflux, infection or food intolerance, but it can also signal appendicitis, gallstones, a bowel blockage or another problem that needs prompt care. Seek emergency care for sudden, severe or worsening pain, especially with fever, ongoing vomiting, blood in the stool or a hard, tender belly. See a doctor for pain that lasts or keeps coming back.
What Can Cause Pain in the Abdomen?
Pain in the abdomen can start in any of the organs it holds, including the stomach, liver, pancreas, intestines, gallbladder and kidneys, or in the muscles and other structures around them. That is why the same complaint, “my stomach hurts,” can mean anything from a big meal to an emergency.
Doctors sort abdominal pain in two main ways:
- By duration: acute pain is short-term and often starts suddenly; chronic pain lasts a long time or keeps returning.
- By location: generalized pain is felt across more than half of the belly, while localized pain stays in one area and may point to a specific organ, such as the appendix, gallbladder or stomach.
One point surprises many patients: how strong the pain feels does not always match how serious the cause is. MedlinePlus notes that some dangerous conditions cause only mild pain at first, so the pattern and the other symptoms matter as much as the intensity.
What Does the Type of Abdominal Pain Tell You?
The way pain feels gives useful clues about its cause, though it is never a diagnosis on its own. Some people describe sharp, stabbing pain; others feel a dull, lingering ache.
| Type of pain | What it often means |
|---|---|
| Cramping | Often linked to gas, bloating, diarrhea or menstrual discomfort. It tends to come and go and may ease with movement or rest. It is more concerning if it keeps recurring, lasts more than 24 hours or comes with fever or rectal bleeding. |
| Sharp | More concerning. It can point to conditions such as appendicitis or gallstones, which need medical attention. |
| Burning | Commonly linked to acid reflux or gastritis, when stomach acid irritates the lining of the digestive tract. |
| Dull or aching | Often related to digestive disorders or liver problems, and usually develops gradually. |
| Colicky (in waves) | Comes and goes in waves, often starts and stops suddenly and can be severe. Gallstones and kidney stones are common causes. |
If pain persists, gets stronger or comes with fever, vomiting or difficulty breathing, get it checked rather than waiting to see what happens.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Stomach Discomfort?
Most stomach discomfort comes from everyday digestive problems, but a few common causes need a doctor or a surgeon. Frequent causes include:
- Indigestion: overeating, spicy or greasy food, or eating too fast.
- Gastritis: inflammation of the stomach lining, often from an infection or heavy alcohol use.
- Acid reflux: stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus, causing heartburn and pain.
- Food poisoning: infection from contaminated food, leading to nausea, vomiting and pain.
- Appendicitis: severe pain in the lower right abdomen that needs immediate medical attention.
- Gallstones: hard deposits in the gallbladder that can cause pain, often after fatty or heavy meals.
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): a chronic digestive disorder that causes bloating, cramps and changes in bowel habits.
Other conditions that can cause abdominal pain include constipation, bowel obstruction, diverticulitis, pancreatitis, hernias, kidney stones and urinary tract infections, and in women, problems such as an ectopic pregnancy or a ruptured ovarian cyst. For pain under the ribs after meals, see gallbladder attack symptoms.
Which Digestive Disorders Cause Ongoing Stomach Pain?
Recurring or long-lasting stomach pain is often caused by a chronic digestive disorder rather than a one-time problem. Common examples include:
- Peptic ulcers: painful sores in the lining of the stomach or the first part of the small intestine.
- Lactose intolerance: trouble digesting dairy, leading to bloating and cramps.
- Celiac disease: an immune reaction to gluten that causes inflammation in the small intestine and digestive distress.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): chronic inflammation of the intestines.
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): bloating, cramping and changes in bowel habits without visible damage to the bowel.
Many of these are managed with diet changes and medicine rather than surgery. Burning upper-abdominal pain from long-term reflux is covered in chronic acid reflux treatment options.
Pain That Will Not Settle?
If tests point to your gallbladder, appendix or a hernia, Dr. Murtaza Shakir can evaluate you and explain your options in Katy or Sugar Land.
When Is Abdominal Pain an Emergency?
Abdominal pain is an emergency when it is sudden and severe, keeps getting worse or comes with signs of bleeding, infection or a blocked bowel. Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you have:
- Severe, persistent pain lasting more than a few hours, or sudden, sharp pain, especially in the lower right abdomen
- A belly that is hard, rigid or very tender to touch, or swollen and bloated
- Vomiting that will not stop, or vomiting blood
- Blood in your stool
- A high fever with stomach pain
- Difficulty breathing, dizziness, or chest, neck or shoulder pain
- Pain after an injury to the abdomen, or pain when you might be pregnant
These signs can point to appendicitis, a gallbladder attack with infection, bowel obstruction, internal bleeding or other conditions that may need urgent surgery. If you think you may have appendicitis, the NIDDK advises seeing a doctor or going to the emergency room right away. Read more about appendicitis warning signs.
When Should I See a Doctor for Stomach Pain?
Make an appointment if stomach pain worries you, lasts more than a few days or keeps coming back, even if it is not severe. Mild pain that settles within a day is usually not a concern, but these patterns deserve an evaluation:
- Pain that does not improve within 24 to 48 hours, or that keeps getting worse
- Discomfort that lasts a week or longer
- Bloating that lasts more than 2 days, or diarrhea that lasts more than 5 days
- Pain with fever, nausea or vomiting
- Poor appetite or unexplained weight loss
- Repeated episodes of pain after meals
Unexplained weight loss with abdominal pain should always be checked, because it can be an early sign of a more serious problem. Early evaluation means proper treatment and helps prevent complications, so do not hesitate to seek advice if something feels wrong.
How Do Doctors Find the Cause of Abdominal Pain?
Doctors find the cause by combining your story, a careful exam and targeted tests. The questions often matter as much as the scans.
- Where it hurts: one spot or the whole belly, and whether the pain spreads to the back, shoulder or groin.
- What it feels like: sharp, cramping, burning or dull; constant or in waves; and whether it wakes you at night.
- When it happens: after meals, with bowel movements, during your menstrual cycle or at random.
- What changes it: food, movement, position or medicines you have tried.
- The exam: tenderness, guarding, a hard belly or a bulge that could be a hernia.
Depending on the findings, your doctor may order blood, urine or stool tests, imaging such as an abdominal ultrasound or CT scan, or an endoscopy or colonoscopy. A surgeon becomes involved when the cause is something that may need an operation, such as appendicitis, gallbladder disease, a hernia or a bowel blockage. See pain in the upper stomach for more on pain in that area.
What Can I Do at Home for a Mild Stomach Ache?
For mild stomach aches without warning signs, simple home measures often bring relief and help prevent repeat episodes:
- Drink plenty of water: dehydration can make digestive symptoms and bloating worse.
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals instead of large ones, to avoid putting extra strain on your digestive system.
- Avoid trigger foods such as spicy, greasy or highly acidic meals, especially if you are prone to acid reflux or gastritis.
- Use a warm compress or heat on the abdomen to relax the muscles and ease cramps.
- Manage stress with deep breathing or meditation, since stress often makes digestive problems worse.
These remedies give temporary relief but may not treat the underlying cause. If symptoms persist, worsen or interfere with daily life, see a healthcare professional. Do not use home remedies to wait out any of the emergency signs listed above.
When Does Abdominal Pain Need a Surgeon in Katy, Sugar Land or Houston?
Abdominal pain needs a surgical evaluation when tests or symptoms point to a condition that may require an operation, such as gallbladder disease, appendicitis, a hernia or another gastrointestinal problem. Surgical Associates of Southern Texas provides diagnostic evaluations and surgical treatment for these conditions, including minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures when they fit the problem.
Before your visit:
- Write down where the pain is, when it started and what makes it better or worse
- Bring results of any recent blood work, ultrasound or CT scan, including ER records
- Bring a list of your medicines and past abdominal surgeries
Dr. Murtaza Shakir is a board-certified general surgeon who sees patients from across the Houston area at offices in Katy and Sugar Land. Learn more about general surgery, gallbladder surgery and hernia repair, or call (713) 955-9191 to request an appointment.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Abdominal Pain
- What do you think is the most likely cause of my pain?
- Which tests do I need, and what are you looking for?
- Could this be my gallbladder, appendix or a hernia?
- Is this something that may need surgery, now or later?
- Which foods or habits should I avoid while we find the cause?
- Which symptoms mean I should go to the emergency room?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my stomach pain is serious?
Pain that is sudden and severe, keeps getting worse or comes with fever, ongoing vomiting, blood in the stool, a hard belly or trouble breathing is serious and needs emergency care. Pain that lingers for days or keeps returning should be checked at an appointment.
What does pain in the lower right abdomen mean?
It can have several causes, but appendicitis is one of the most important, especially if the pain is severe or getting worse. Seek care right away. Learn more about appendicitis.
Can gallstones cause stomach pain after eating?
Yes. Gallstone attacks often cause pain in the upper right abdomen after heavy or fatty meals, often in the evening or at night, and can last several hours. Fever, chills or yellowing of the skin during an attack needs prompt care.
Is burning stomach pain dangerous?
Burning pain is commonly caused by acid reflux or gastritis and is usually not an emergency. See a doctor if it is frequent or lasting, and seek emergency care if it comes with chest pressure, vomiting blood or black stools.
Can stress cause abdominal pain?
Stress can make digestive problems such as IBS and reflux worse. It should not be assumed as the cause until other conditions have been ruled out, especially if the pain is new, severe or getting worse.
Key Takeaway
Abdominal pain has many causes, from indigestion and gas to appendicitis and gallstones. The type, location and pattern of the pain, and any warning signs, decide whether home care, an appointment or the emergency room is right. Pain that lasts, returns or worsens deserves a proper evaluation.
Sources and Further Reading
- Abdominal Pain, MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
- Abdominal Pain: When to See a Doctor, Mayo Clinic
- Symptoms & Causes of Gallstones, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
- Appendicitis, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
This article is general education, not personal medical advice. For severe abdominal pain, fever with abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, or yellowing of the skin or eyes, seek emergency care.
Meet the Surgeon
Dr. Murtaza Shakir is a board-certified General Surgeon and is board certified in Complex General Surgical Oncology. He earned his medical degree at Aga Khan University, completed General Surgery residency at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and a two-year Surgical Oncology fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He sees patients at Surgical Associates of Southern Texas in Katy and Sugar Land.
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This page provides general information and is not a substitute for medical advice. For severe abdominal pain or other emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Last updated October 16, 2026.