

What Causes Belly Pain?


Some reasons for stomach pain are obvious — like when someone gets hit in the gut, or a toddler accidentally eats something poisonous. A lot of the time, though, belly pain might be hard to figure out. With so many organs in the abdomen, different problems can have similar symptoms.

Here are some of the things that cause tummy troubles:


When bacteria or viruses get into a person's system, the body reacts by trying to rid itself of the infection — often through vomiting or diarrhea.

  • Viruses, another type of infection, are behind what we call "stomach flu." Both bacteria and viruses can be easily passed from person to person. The good news is you can often avoid them simply by washing your hands properly and not sharing cups, straws, or utensils with other people.



button digestive

Irritation and Inflammation


More Belly Pain Causes

Food Reactions

Food reactions can be more than eating too much or basic indigestion. When people are unable to digest certain foods, doctors say they have a food intolerance. Conditions like lactose intolerance often cause belly pain when a person eats the food (milk products in the case of lactose intolerance). If you notice a reaction after eating certain foods, make an appointment with your doctor.

Conditions like celiac disease (a reaction to proteins in certain grains) or food allergies (like peanut allergy) are different from food intolerance. They involve immune system reactions that can actually harm the body beyond just producing a temporary reaction. When someone has a true food allergy, they must always avoid that food — even a small amount could be deadly.

Reproductive Problems

The digestive system isn't the only cause of bellyaches. Menstrual cramps are probably the most common example of pain in the reproductive organs. Infections in the reproductive system, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or other STDs, also can cause abdominal pain in girls.



Anatomical Problems

Some diseases or defects can interfere with the way the organs do their jobs, causing pain. Crohn's disease can cause the wall of the intestine to swell and scar enough that it may block the intestine. Hernias can also block a person's intestines, as can growths like tumors. Torsion is a medical term that means "twisting." Torsion can affect the intestine, ovaries, and testicles, cutting off blood supply or blocking their functions.

Emotional Distress

When people get too stressed out, anxious, or depressed, their emotions can trigger physical symptoms, such as headaches or stomach pain.


When to See a Doctor

Sometimes, what seems like one problem — food poisoning, for example — can turn out to be something more serious, like appendicitis. So it's a good idea to see a doctor if pain is very strong, you're vomiting a lot, you already have another health condition, or the discomfort gets worse over time or doesn't go away. A parent or other adult can help you decide if you need to see a doctor.

What Doctors Do

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and what's going on. He or she may also ask about illnesses you may have had in the past, or any health conditions that other family members have.



What You Can Do

The good news is belly pain isn't usually serious in teens. Although there are lots of different reasons why people get it, most are easy to treat. You can even lessen your chances of getting belly pain by taking a few simple precautions:

  • Wash your hands before eating.

Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: November 2007

Related Sites

Pediatric/Adolescent Gastroesophageal Reflux Association (PAGER)
American Diabetes Association (ADA)
Crohn's Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA)
Hernia Resource Center
Teens With Crohn's Disease Website
Celiac Disease Foundation
Celiac Sprue Association
Gluten Intolerance Group
Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network - Kids and Teens

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