Abdominal pain refers to any pain in the area of the body located below the chest and above the thighs. This area consists of many parts of the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract), including the appendix, gallbladder, liver, lower part of the esophagus, pancreas, spleen, stomach, and the small and large intestines. Some of the organs of the reproductive and urinary systems are also located in this area. Injury or disease to any of these areas can cause abdominal pain which is commonly described as deep, squeezing or as a feeling of pressure. Pain felt in the abdomen is usually described as a visceral pain, which is caused by stretching or enlarging tissues or organs in the abdomen.

Causes of abdominal pain
Appendicitis
The appendix is a worm–shaped, 3 and 1/2 inch tissue that is attached to a part of the large intestine on the lower right side of the abdomen. Appendicitis is an infection in which the appendix swells and fills with pus, causing abdominal pain.
Symptoms of Appendicitis

• Abdominal tenderness that gets worse with walking, coughing, sneezing or moving.
• Low fever.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Pain that starts in the upper right abdomen or near the navel, and settles in the lower right side.
• Urge to have a bowel movement or pass gas.

Cholecystitis
Cholecystitis is an infection of the gallbladder, caused by gallstones. The gallbladder is a small pear shaped organ that lies in the upper right side of the abdomen, below the liver. It stores and transports bile to the small intestine through the bile ducts. Gallstones are made of bile and other substances found in bile, such as cholesterol and calcium. Too much of these substances cause them to stick together and harden into stones. If the stones block the bile ducts, it can cause abdominal pain. The risk of getting gallstones is higher for people, especially women, who are overweight and eat a diet high in fatty foods.
Symptoms of Cholecystitis

• Burping.
• Fever.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Steady severe cramping pain in the upper right abdomen, often after eating a meal high in fat.
• Pain that moves to the chest, right shoulder or upper back.

Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis is a condition which causes pain and irritation of the stomach and the intestines. Common causes of gastroenteritis include food poisoning, viruses, food allergies, the use of alcohol and the use of antibiotics.
Symptoms of Gastroenteritis

• Abdominal cramping.
• Diarrhea.
• Fever.
• Headache.
• Nausea and vomiting.

Ovarian cysts
Ovarian cysts are fluid filled sacs found in the ovaries. The ovaries are almond sized glands found on either side of the uterus in the abdomen. They store and release eggs and also produce the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. A cyst that ruptures can cause severe lower abdominal pain.
Symptoms of Ovarian cysts

• Abnormal menstrual periods.
• Lower back pain.
• Mild pelvic pain.
• Pain with sexual intercourse.
• Severe abdominal pain with fever.

Peptic Ulcers
A peptic ulcer is a shallow, open sore in the stomach, duodenum (the beginning of the small intestine) or lower part of the esophagus. Ulcers develop when something irritates or weakens the mucous lining in these areas. The weakened lining allows stomach acid to reach the normal tissue and cause an ulcer. The ulcer can then cause a burning pain in the upper abdomen.
The cause of 80 per cent to 90 per cent of stomach and duodenal ulcers is a bacterium, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).
Other risk factors that make it more likely that someone will get an ulcer include taking medicines like Non–Steroidal Anti–Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), drinking alcoholic beverages or beverages with caffeine, smoking and stress.
Symptoms of Peptic Ulcers

• Abdominal pain that comes and goes.
• Aching, burning or gnawing feeling in the upper abdomen.
• Black, tarry bowel movements.
• Bloated feeling after eating.
• Pain that is relieved by eating, drinking or taking antacids.

Urinary tract infections
Bacteria that gets into the urinary bladder or urethra can cause urinary tract infections with symptoms of cramping and low abdominal pain. Both men and women get UTIs, but women are affected almost 10 times more often than men are. UTIs often develop in women after sexual intercourse and it is believed that women get these infections more often because their urethra is shorter and bacteria travels easily from nearby tissues like the vagina or rectum .
Symptoms of Urinary tract infections

• Blood in the urine.
• Low fever.
• Pressure or pain the low abdomen.
• Urge to urinate frequently.