Abdominal pain is discomfort in the belly area—something almost everyone experiences. While most causes aren’t serious, persistent or severe pain can signal a serious issue that needs medical care.

Left Side Abdominal Pain
Pain in the lower left side is often due to diverticulitis, an inflammation of pouches in the colon. “You’ll likely have severe abdominal pain.” Irritable bowel syndrome may also cause discomfort here.
Upper left side pain could stem from issues like pancreatitis, gastritis, kidney infections, or even stomach cancer. Sometimes, pain here starts in the chest—heartburn, angina, or even a heart attack could be the cause.

Right Side Abdominal Pain
Lower right pain is often linked to appendicitis. “It could mean trouble with your appendix.”
Upper right pain may involve major organs like the liver, gallbladder, or right kidney. Causes include hepatitis, gallstones, kidney stones, liver or gallbladder cancer, and duodenal ulcers.