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Sharp stomach pain can have many possible causes, from minor issues like gas, constipation or muscle strain to serious conditions such as appendicitis, kidney stones or gallbladder problems.
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The location and duration of the pain — upper or lower, left or right — can offer key clues, and knowing what symptoms to watch for can help determine whether it’s an emergency.
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Seek medical care if sharp stomach pain is severe, persistent or comes with red-flag symptoms like fever, vomiting blood, chest pain or signs of dehydration.
Sharp stomach pain: Causes and when to see a doctor
A sudden, sharp pain in your stomach can stop you in your tracks. While it might be nothing more than a fleeting nerve twinge or a bout of indigestion or heartburn, it can also point to a more serious condition that needs attention. The tricky part? Sharp abdominal pain can have many causes — and they’re not always easy to tell apart.
Daniald Rodrigues, M.D., a gastroenterologist at the Providence Center for Digestive Health — Mission Viejo in Mission Viejo, California, explores potential causes behind sharp stomach pain based on where it shows up in your abdomen. From common issues like gas and muscle strain to more serious conditions like appendicitis or kidney stones, you’ll learn when it’s safe to wait it out — and when you may need medical attention.
Common causes of sharp stomach pain
Even though it’s sharp, stabbing pain in the stomach usually isn’t serious, Dr. Rodrigues says. In fact, sharp pain that goes away after a second or two is often related to the nerves. For example, the nerves within the abdominal wall can become pinched or entrapped within the muscle, causing pain.
“With sharp pain in the stomach, you want to pay attention to the length of the pain,” Dr. Rodrigues says. “Even if it’s sharp, if it only lasts a few seconds, it’s typically of less concern.”
Still, it’s important to pay attention to where in the abdomen you’re experiencing pain.
Upper abdomen sharp pain
For instance, sharp pain initially felt in the upper abdomen may point to kidney stones. Kidney stones, solid masses that form in the kidneys, tend to cause pain in the upper part of the abdomen first, then spark pain in the lower abdomen and groin as the stone moves down through the ureter. Often, kidney stone abdominal pain is felt alongside other symptoms, including nausea and pain while urinating.
Gallstones are another potential culprit of sharp pain in the upper abdomen, especially on the right side. Gallstones are hard masses that form from bile. Pain tends to start on the right side of the abdomen because that’s where the gallbladder is located, but it often worsens after you eat. It can also spread to the back and shoulders.
Peptic ulcers, which develop as open sores in the lining of the stomach or duodenum (the first part of the small intestine), can also cause burning pain in the upper abdomen. Even gastritis, which is an inflamed stomach lining, may cause upper abdominal pain.
In addition, while you may think that sharp pain in the abdomen is coming from your stomach, it may be coming from somewhere else — like your lungs or your heart.
“In the left or right upper part of the abdomen, you can sometimes get pleuritic pain, a stabbing chest pain that gets worse when you take deep breaths,” Dr. Rodrigues says. “People think it’s from their abdomen, but it’s actually from their lungs.”
Also, heart attacks can sometimes cause pain under the rib cage in the upper abdomen, often along with nausea.
Lower abdomen sharp pain
In the lower abdomen, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) causes sharp stomach pain, as well as achiness and cramping. Generally, the lower abdominal pain comes with bloating and diarrhea.
Food poisoning is similar in that it tends to affect the lower abdomen most intensely. It can cause severe pain, cramping, nausea and vomiting.
Another potential cause of sharp lower abdomen pain is distended or twisted bowels that pinch the nerves or disrupt blood flow.
“If you have part of the bowel that’s distended, it can cause pain that resolves quickly,” Dr. Rodrigues says. “Twisted bowels can pinch on nerves or affect blood flow and cause some pain that goes away after a few seconds.”
Left side sharp pain
Some common causes of abdominal pain on the left side of the stomach include:
- A hernia (the bulging of an organ or tissue through a weak spot in the abdominal wall)
- An enlarged spleen
- Constipation
- Diverticulitis (an inflamed section in the lining of the large intestine)
- Ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that develops outside the uterus) or ovarian cysts
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Kidney problems
- Muscle strain
- Pancreatitis (an inflamed pancreas)
Right side sharp pain
Sharp pain on the right side of the stomach can stem from several causes, most of which aren’t serious. For instance, gas and indigestion are among the most common causes of all stomach pain. Other, minor culprits of sharp pain in the right abdomen include muscle strain and constipation.
Yet sharp pain on the right side of the stomach can also signal more serious concerns, including:
- Appendicitis
- Ectopic pregnancy or ovarian cysts
- Gallbladder problems
- Kidney stones
- Liver issues
When sharp stomach pain is a medical emergency
Pain in the stomach that comes on suddenly, that doesn’t go away after a short period or that’s accompanied by other symptoms like a high fever requires immediate care, Dr. Rodrigues says.
Red-flag symptoms requiring immediate care
Here are a few of the symptoms Dr. Rodrigues considers red flags when they’re experienced alongside sharp stomach pain:
- Bloody stools
- Difficulty breathing or chest pain
- High fever
- Signs of dehydration, including not urinating, dry mouth and dizziness
- Vomiting blood
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s best to seek immediate care. Providence offers same-day and urgent care appointments for your convenience.
Appendicitis warning signs
Typically, appendicitis, which is an inflamed appendix, causes intense, severe abdominal pain that starts around the belly button and moves to the right side of the abdomen. If the pain is accompanied by other symptoms, like fever, nausea and vomiting, it may signal appendicitis, which is considered a medical emergency that warrants quick evaluation and treatment because it can be life-threatening.
Other serious conditions to watch for
Appendicitis isn’t the only serious condition linked to sharp stomach pain. Other potential problems that can cause sharp pain in the abdomen include:
- A perforated ulcer (a stomach or duodenum ulcer that creates a hole in the intestinal wall)
- Bowel obstruction
- Certain types of cancer
- Gallstones and cholecystitis (an inflamed gallbladder)
- Kidney stones
- Pancreatitis
Gender-specific causes of sharp abdominal pain
It’s important to remember that sharp abdominal pain can also stem from gender-specific causes.
Sharp pain in women: Reproductive health concerns
Infections like urinary tract infections (UTIs) and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), for example, can cause sharp abdominal pain in women. In addition, a ruptured ovarian cyst can cause severe pain, especially if it’s located on one side or the other of the lower abdomen.
Pregnancy-related sharp pain
If you’re pregnant, sharp abdominal pain should always trigger a call to your doctor. It could mean something serious or nothing to worry about at all, but it’s always best to have it checked out, Dr. Rodrigues says.
For example, you may be experiencing something minor like gas or ligament pain, which occurs when the ligaments stretch to support your growing baby. But your doctor can rule out a more concerning cause like an ectopic pregnancy or ruptured ovarian cyst.
What to do when you have sharp stomach pain
You can try managing sharp stomach pain at home by resting, drinking lots of water, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol. If that doesn’t work, though, and pain persists, it’s time to either call your doctor or head to the emergency room.
When to call your doctor
If you have sharp stomach pain that isn’t necessarily severe but doesn’t improve between 24 and 48 hours, you should call your primary care doctor or schedule an appointment with a gastroenterologist. You should also call your doctor if you have chronic or recurring sharp abdominal pain, or sharp pain that’s accompanied by other symptoms, like nausea and vomiting.
When to go to the emergency room
Sharp stomach pain that lasts and gets worse over time, especially if it’s accompanied by other symptoms, warrants a trip to the emergency room.
How to describe your pain to health care providers
The way you explain your abdominal pain to your doctor is crucial to getting the right diagnosis and relief. For instance, your pain may feel like it’s burning, like more of a dull ache or sharp. Your doctor can use these characterizations as clues to determine what’s behind your pain.
Use the following questions to guide you when talking to your provider:
- Where does it hurt?
Is your pain localized to one spot in your abdomen, or has it spread from one place to another? - How much does it hurt?
Don’t overstate how much pain you’re in, but also be sure to give an honest assessment. Everyone experiences pain differently, so it’s important to express how much your pain is affecting you. - How long has it hurt?
Has it been minutes, hours, days? The length of time you’ve been experiencing sharp pain in the abdomen can tell your provider volumes about its potential cause. - Does anything make it hurt less?
Have you tried anything at home, like chamomile tea or an over-the-counter pain medicine like an antacid, to help relieve your pain? If so, has it helped? - Is anything else going on with the pain?
Do you have any other symptoms, like nausea and vomiting, a fever or unexplained weight loss?
Your doctor will use the information you provide to guide any recommendations for treatment. Schedule an appointment to start the conversation.
Contributing caregiver
Daniald Rodrigues, M.D., is a gastroenterologist at the Providence Center for Digestive Health — Mission Viejo in Mission Viejo, California.
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Related resources
Understanding your stomach pain: When to worry
Upper abdominal pain: Causes, symptoms and relief
When to see your doctor about lower abdominal pain
Left-side stomach pain: When it’s time to see a doctor
Right-side stomach pain: Causes and when to see a doctor
Middle stomach pain: Possible causes and when to seek care
This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care professional’s instructions.
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