Understanding Short-Term Abdominal Pain: Causes & Relief

Each day many people suffer from abdominal pain. This abdominal pain can signal any number of medical conditions. However, short-term abdominal pain is the most common form. Many of the causes of short-term abdominal pain are not life threatening.

Bloating

• Flatulence is caused by air that is trapped in the belly. Flatulence pain is described as sharp quick shooting pain that lasts for seconds at a time. This pain is felt in the abdomen, chest and sometimes the back.

Viral Infections

• Stomach flu, medically termed as viral gastroenteritis is caused by a viral infection in the belly. This infection causes abdominal pain and cramping, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting amongst other symptoms.

Pregnancy

• In early pregnancy, the uterus has to extend to accommodate the baby growing inside. Some women feel this stretching in the form of mild, sharp cramping in the lower abdomen.

Menstrual Cramps

• During a woman's menstrual cycle, the lining of the uterus has to be shed along with blood that has gathered inside of this lining. As part of the process, many women feel abdominal cramping. This cramping can range from mild to severe and usually lasts a few days.

Food Poisoning

• Food poisoning comes from eating food that has been contaminated with bacteria or toxins. The most common bacteria to contaminate foods is staphylococcis (E. coli). Symptoms of food poisoning are abdominal cramps, weakness, vomiting, nausea and fever.