Recent Blog Articles

Optimism, heart health, and longevity: Unraveling the link for Black Americans

Late-stage cervical cancer on the rise: What to know

A mindful way to help manage type 2 diabetes?

Close relationships with neighbors influence cardiovascular health in Black adults

Why play? Early games build bonds and brain

5 numbers linked to ideal heart health

Rating the drugs in drug ads

Postpartum anxiety is invisible, but common and treatable

The popularity of microdosing of psychedelics: What does the science say?

Pouring from an empty cup? Three ways to refill emotionally
Recurring Abdominal Pain in Adults
Repeated episodes of abdominal pain can arise from a variety of medical causes, including some serious conditions. Everyone who has unexplained abdominal pain requires a medical evaluation by a doctor. Please take the time today to arrange a medical evaluation, if you have not already done so.
Identifying the source of recurring abdominal pain can require multiple doctor visits and multiple tests. This interactive guide will help you identify those features about your pain that are clues to its cause and provide insight into how the medical evaluation may proceed. The guide is not designed to substitute for office-based care.
This guide addresses recurring episodes of abdominal pain over several weeks to many months. If your pain is newer than this, or if you are currently having pain that is more severe than usual, please visit our Decision Guide called Understanding New and Severe Abdominal Pain.
The guide was not designed to substitute for office-based care. The purpose of this guide is to help you get the most out of a medical evaluation that is performed by your doctor.
A precise location of abdominal pain can be difficult to identify. The most common causes of recurring abdominal pain can be separated into two groups based upon their location.
Do you feel your most noticeable pain in the lower abdomen or is it somewhere higher, in your upper abdomen or near your navel?
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
I'd like to receive access to Harvard Health Online for only $4.99 a month.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
Free Healthbeat Signup
Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!