Got stomach pain? here are 12 potential reasons why
Learn what could be causing your stomach distress, plus how to treat it.
Mar, 2026
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Slide 1
Everyone experiences abdominal pain at some point. Whether it’s heartburn, gallstones, cramps, kidney stones, hernia—or something more serious, such as cancer—there are many possible causes.
Here’s a look at some of the more common sources of stomach pain, plus how to read your symptoms and what treatment you may need.
Written byTaylor Dahl.
Medically reviewed byMegan Burke, MD.
Sources: MedlinePlus. Heartburn. November 12 + 19
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- MedlinePlus. Gallstones. February 4, 2021.
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- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Definition & Facts for Appendicitis. Last Reviewed July 2021.
- Michael Bartel, MD, PhD. Merck Manual Consumer Version. Acute Pancreatitis. Content last modified Sep 2020.
- Weiss FU, Laemmerhirt F, Lerch MM. Etiology and risk factors of acute and chronic pancreatitis. Visc Med. 2019;35(2):73-81.
- Harvard Health Publishing. The gut-brain connection. January 21, 2020.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Food Safety: Staphylococcal (Staph) Food Poisoning. August 9, 2018.
- Mayo Clinic. First aid: Foodborne Illness. August 12, 2022.
- FoodSafety.gov. Food Poisoning. Date Last Reviewed August 20, 2020.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reproductive Health: Common Reproductive Health Concerns for Women. April 27, 2018.
- Office on Women’s Health. Ovarian cysts. April 1, 2019.
- Mayo Clinic. Ovarian Cysts. August 26, 2020.
- Brigham And Women's Hospital. Uterine Fibroids. Accessed September 27, 2021.
- Cleveland Clinic. Ectopic Pregnancy. Last reviewed, February 6, 2020.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Inflammatory Bowel Disease. December 29, 2019.
- Mayo Clinic. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). November 7, 2020.
- MedlinePlus. Irritable Bowel Syndrome. February 10, 2021.
- Mayo Clinic. Heartburn. April 17, 2020.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Transmission of Parasitic Diseases. February 17, 2021.
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