General Gastrointestinal (GI) Symptoms

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Causes

Causes for abdominal pain include the following:

• Gastrointestinal (GI) tract
• Bowel obstruction (partial or complete blockage that prevents intestinal contents from passing properly; e.g., large colorectal polyp, hernia, tumor)
• Colic (in infants)
• Colon cancer
• Constipation (decrease in the frequency of bowel movements or the passage of hard, dry stools)
• Food allergy
• Food poisoning
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Heartburn, indigestion
• Hiatal hernia (occurs when the lower part of the esophagus and a portion of the stomach slide up through the esophageal hiatus, which is an opening in the diaphragm through which the esophagus passes before it reaches the stomach)
• Infection (e.g., viral, bacterial, parasitic)
• Inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis)
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Malabsorption syndromes (e.g., lactose intolerance)
• Stomach (gastric) cancer
• Ulcers

• Biliary system
• Gallbladder disease (e.g., cholecystitis), gallstones
• Liver disease
• Pancreatitis

• Urinary tract
• Bladder cancer
• Interstitial cystitis
• Kidney cancer
• Kidney infection (pyelonephritis)
• Kidney stones
• Urinary tract infection (UTI)

• Reproductive tract
• Endometriosis
• Menstrual cramps
• Ovarian cancer
• Ovarian cysts
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Uterine fibroids

• Cardiovascular system
• Aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection (medical emergency that often causes severe pain)
• Heart attack

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General Gastrointestinal (GI) Symptoms Resources

	Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Your GI Condition The more knowledge you have, the easier it is to make decisions about your gi condition. Print this free handout to take with you on your next office visit.	Advertising Disclaimer
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