【Major Points】

1. Abdominal pain has many causes, and different locations may suggest different problems. 
2. Seek medical attention if acute abdominal pain is accompanied by other symptoms, as medication or surgery may be needed.
3. Mild abdominal pain can be managed by adjusting your diet, exercising moderately, and taking pain medication as prescribed.

What is abdominal pain?

Abdominal pain is a discomfort in your belly region, which contains many organs. Therefore, many different conditions may cause abdominal pain. The following causes of pain are shown by simply dividing the abdomen into four quadrants (Picture 1):

1. Left upper quadrant (LUQ): indicates possible illness related to the left side of the stomach, or spleen, etc.
2. Right upper quadrant (RUQ): indicates possible illness related to liver, gallbladder, or duodenum, e.g., cholecystitis, duodenitis.
3. Left lower quadrant (LLQ): indicates possible illness related to the sigmoid, kidney, or gynecology, e.g., diverticulitis, constipation, etc.
4. Right lower quadrant (RLQ): indicates possible illness related to the appendix, kidney, or gynecology, e.g., appendicitis, kidney stones, etc.

(Picture 1: Possible diseases associated with the location of abdominal pain)

1. If your abdominal pain or bloating gets worse or does not improve.
2. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
3. Fever, cold sweats
4. Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing
   
5. Dizziness, pale complexion, and general weakness
6. Trauma-related abdominal pain

1. The following steps may reduce abdominal pain:
   1. Eat small, frequent meals. Chew thoroughly, swallow slowly, and avoid greasy foods. 
   2. If there are no contraindications, drink 1500–2000 cc of water daily.
   3. Exercise regularly.
   4. Limit gas-producing foods such as onions, green peppers, sweet potatoes, soft drinks, fried foods, and sugary desserts.
   5. Eat a balanced, high-fiber diet with lots of fruits and vegetables. Whole grains, beans, and dried fruits are all high in fiber.
2. If you have mild abdominal pain, the following tips may help relieve the discomfort.
   1. Avoid eating for the first 4–6 hours. Once the pain improves, you may try drinking water or other clear fluids.
   2. If you have been vomiting, stop eating and wait until the vomiting stops. Then, try sipping a small amount of water.
   3. After 6 hours, eat a small amount of bland food, such as rice, applesauce, or crackers.
   4. Avoid dairy products.
3. If the pain occurs after the meal:  If you feel heartburn (a burning sensation in the chest) or indigestion (a feeling of fullness in the upper abdomen), it may be due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In such cases, taking antacids may help relieve the symptoms. If your abdominal pain does not improve, please seek medical attention.
4. Take your pain medicine as prescribed: Do not self-medicate with aspirin, ibuprofen, or other anti-inflammatory drugs. Although these may relieve the pain, they can mask symptoms and interfere with the doctor’s diagnosis.

1. Pemmerl, S., & Hüfner, A. (2020). Epidemiology, initial diagnosis, and therapy of unexplained abdominal pain in the emergency department. Medizinische Klinik, Intensivmedizin und Notfallmedizin, 116(7), 578-585. https://10.1007/s00063-020-00696-x
2. Vaghef-Davari, F., Ahmadi-Amoli, H., Sharifi, A., Teymouri, F., & Paprouschi, N. (2020). Approach to acute abdominal pain: Practical algorithms. Advanced journal of emergency medicine, 4(2). https://doi.org/10.22114/ajem.v0i0.272
3. Zhang, Z., Chung, H., & Gong, T. (2020). Fever, abdominal pain, and jaundice in a Pacific Islander woman. JAMA, 323(3), 272–273. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2019.20118