What Your Belly Is Trying to Tell You
Lower Left Side
The most common cause of lower left abdominal pain is diverticulitis — inflammation of small pouches (diverticula) in your colon. It’s a common condition, especially as you age. Another possible cause is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which can cause chronic pain and changes in bowel habits.
Upper Left Side
Pain in the upper left part of your abdomen could stem from several conditions, including:
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- Pancreatic cancer
- Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly)
- Gastritis (inflamed stomach lining)
- Stomach ulcers
- Stomach or bile reflux
- Stomach cancer
- Kidney infection or stones
Pain here may also come from your chest and mimic abdominal issues. Possible causes include:
- Heartburn or acid reflux
- Angina or heart attack
- Pericarditis (inflammation around the heart)
- Pneumonia or pleurisy
- Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs)
Pain on the Right Side of Your Abdomen
Lower Right Side
Pain here is often linked to the appendix — appendicitis is a medical emergency that usually requires surgery.
Upper Right Side
This region houses several major organs, so pain could point to conditions like:
- Hepatitis (alcoholic, viral, toxic, or autoimmune)
- Gallstones or cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation)
- Liver disease or liver cancer
- Gallbladder cancer
- Kidney infection or stones
- Duodenal ulcers
- Bowel obstruction
When to Call the Doctor
Not all abdominal pain is an emergency, but some signs mean you should see a doctor — or even call 911.
