Quick answer: To describe abdominal pain to your doctor, cover five things: where it is (and whether it spreads), what it feels like (cramping, sharp, burning, dull, coming in waves), when it happens and how long it lasts, what makes it better or worse (food, bowel movements, movement, your period), and how severe it is on a 0–10 scale. Mention right away anything that comes with it, such as fever, vomiting, blood in your stool or weight loss.
Pain is the one symptom your doctor can't see or measure. As Cleveland Clinic puts it, abdominal pain is a symptom "only you can describe" [2]. "My stomach hurts" gives them almost nothing to work with. "Crampy pain below my belly button that comes in waves an hour after meals and eases after I poop" can narrow things down in seconds.
This guide gives you the framework clinicians use, a word bank, and an example pain log.
Key takeaways
- Doctors ask about location, character, timing, triggers and severity [1][2]. Prepare all five.
- Say whether the pain is in one spot or spread out, and whether it moves or spreads to your back, groin or shoulder [1].
- "Does a bowel movement change it?" is a key question. It's part of how IBS is defined [5].
- Pain that's sudden and severe, moves to the lower right, or comes with a rigid belly, vomiting or blood needs urgent care [1][3].
- Log pain when it happens. Recall is unreliable for complex details such as whether pain eased after a bowel movement [6].
Where is your pain?
Location is the first clue, because different organs sit in different parts of the abdomen. Many providers divide the abdomen into four quadrants: upper right, lower right, upper left and lower left [2]. Point to the spot with one finger if you can, and say whether the pain is:
- Localized (in one area) or generalized (more than half of your belly) [1]
- Fixed or moving. Appendicitis pain, for example, often starts near the belly button and moves lower and to the right [3].
- Spreading to your back, groin, legs, shoulder or chest [1]
| Area | Example organs nearby | How to say it |
|---|---|---|
| Upper right | Liver, gallbladder | "Under my right ribs." Gallbladder attacks usually cause pain here, sometimes for several hours [4] |
| Upper middle | Stomach, pancreas, upper small intestine | "Just below my breastbone" |
| Upper left | Stomach, spleen | "Under my left ribs" |
| Around the navel | Small intestine, early appendicitis | "Around my belly button" |
| Lower right | Appendix, colon, right ovary | "Low on the right, near my hip bone" |
| Lower middle | Bladder, uterus, rectum | "Just above my pubic bone" |
| Lower left | Colon, left ovary | "Low on the left" |
Location narrows the list but doesn't give a diagnosis. Organs overlap, and pain can be felt away from its source, so describe what you feel and let your doctor interpret it.
What types of abdominal pain are there?
Clinicians often sort abdominal pain by pattern. MedlinePlus describes four common types [1]:
| Type | What it means | Often linked with |
|---|---|---|
| Generalized | Felt across more than half the belly | Stomach viruses, indigestion, gas. Worsening pain may signal a blockage [1] |
| Localized | In one area | A problem in a specific organ, such as the appendix, gallbladder or stomach [1] |
| Cramp-like | Gripping, squeezing | Often gas and bloating, sometimes followed by diarrhea. Usually not serious, but more concerning if it recurs often, lasts over 24 hours or comes with fever [1] |
| Colicky | Comes in waves, often starts and stops suddenly, frequently severe | Kidney stones and gallstones are common causes [1] |
A word bank for what it feels like. Pick the words that fit. You can use more than one:
- Cramping, gripping, squeezing, twisting
- Sharp, stabbing, knife-like
- Dull, aching, heavy, pressure
- Burning, gnawing
- Bloated, tight, full, stretched
- Comes in waves vs constant
- Tender to touch vs only deep inside
How do you describe timing and triggers?
Timing and triggers often tell your doctor more than location. Clinicians ask how long you've had the pain, whether it's constant or comes and goes, whether it wakes you at night, when it happens (such as after meals or during your period), and what makes it better or worse [1][2].
Answer these:
- When did it start? The date, and whether it came on suddenly or built up gradually
- How often? Daily, a few times a week, only in flares
- How long does each episode last? Minutes, hours, all day
- When does it happen? After eating (how soon?), on an empty stomach, at night, in the morning, around your period
- What makes it worse? Specific foods, large or fatty meals, movement, coughing, lying down, stress
- What makes it better? A bowel movement, passing gas, eating, antacids, lying still, heat
- Does a bowel movement change it? Better, worse or no change. Under the Rome IV criteria, IBS involves recurrent abdominal pain related to defecation or to changes in stool frequency or form [5].
A good full description sounds like this:
"For about two months I've had crampy pain in my lower left belly. It comes in waves, three or four days a week, usually an hour or two after lunch, and lasts about 30 minutes. It's usually 4 out of 10, and once it was 7. It eases after a bowel movement. It's never woken me up, and I haven't had a fever or any blood."
How do you rate how bad it is?
Use a 0–10 scale, where 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain you can imagine. Use it the same way every time. Give both your typical and your worst score, plus how it affects your day:
| Score | Rough anchor |
|---|---|
| 1–3 | Noticeable; you can carry on as normal |
| 4–6 | Distracting; hard to concentrate; you might cancel plans |
| 7–9 | Hard to function, talk or move; you'd consider urgent care |
| 10 | Worst imaginable |
Pain severity doesn't always match how serious the cause is: mild pain can come from a serious problem and severe pain from a harmless one [1]. So report the score, but also the pattern and any other symptoms.
How to keep a stomach pain diary
A stomach pain diary turns "it hurts a lot lately" into dates, counts and timing. Log each episode as it happens. Remembered details are unreliable, especially complex ones such as whether pain eased after a bowel movement [6].
What to record per episode: time it started, location, type (from the word bank), severity 0–10, duration, what you'd eaten in the previous few hours, bowel movements before and after (with Bristol type), and anything that helped or made it worse.
Illustrative pain log (example data, not a real patient):
| Date & time | Where | Type | 0–10 | Lasted | Before it | Relief / after | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 13:40 | Lower left | Cramping, waves | 5 | 30 min | Lunch 12:30: bean chili | Eased after BM 14:10 (type 6) | — |
| Wed 21:15 | Upper right | Dull ache → sharp | 7 | 3 h | Dinner 19:00: fried chicken, fries | Not eased by BM | Nausea |
| Thu 13:20 | Lower left | Cramping | 4 | 25 min | Lunch 12:45: onion soup | Eased after BM (type 6) | Bloating |
| Sat — | — | — | 0 | — | — | — | Good day |
In this example, the lower-left cramping that eases after a bowel movement is a different pattern from Wednesday's long upper-right pain after a fatty meal. Upper-right pain lasting hours after a heavy meal is the kind of episode NIDDK describes for gallbladder attacks, which need prompt medical attention [4]. A log makes these differences visible to your doctor. It doesn't replace their assessment.
For more on structuring the log, see our guide to a symptom diary your doctor will use. Pain often comes with bowel changes, so also see how to describe your poop to a doctor.
If you use an app, inspect the actual record you plan to share and ask your practice which format it accepts. The Get Regular App tour and Doctor Report explanation describe the intended workflow; check current availability and the file itself before relying on it for a visit.
When is abdominal pain an emergency?
Some abdominal pain needs immediate care rather than a diary. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have abdominal pain and [1]:
- Pain that is sudden and sharp
- A belly that is rigid, hard or tender to the touch
- Inability to pass stool, especially with vomiting
- Vomiting blood, or blood in your stool (bright red, maroon, or black and tarry)
- Chest, neck or shoulder pain
- Pain between the shoulder blades with nausea
- Difficulty breathing
- You're pregnant or could be pregnant
- A recent injury to your abdomen
- You're being treated for cancer
Appendicitis is a medical emergency. Typical pain begins near the belly button and moves lower and to the right, may start suddenly or wake you, worsens with movement, coughing or deep breaths, and can come with loss of appetite and nausea or vomiting [3]. See a doctor or go to the ER right away if you suspect it [3].
Gallbladder attack warning signs that need care right away: pain lasting several hours, nausea and vomiting, fever or chills, yellowing of the skin or eyes, and tea-colored urine with light-colored stools [4].
Contact your provider soon (same day to within a few days) if pain doesn't improve within 24–48 hours, or worsens or becomes more frequent with nausea and vomiting, or if you have discomfort lasting a week or longer, bloating that lasts more than 2 days, diarrhea for more than 5 days, fever with pain, burning when you urinate, or ongoing poor appetite or weight loss [1].
For bowel-related red flags, see our guide to bowel changes that need a doctor.
FAQ
What are the main types of abdominal pain? Clinicians commonly describe generalized pain (across more than half the belly), localized pain (in one area), cramp-like pain, and colicky pain (in waves, often starting and stopping suddenly) [1]. The type, combined with location and timing, helps narrow the causes.
How do I describe stomach pain in words? Say where it is, what it feels like (cramping, sharp, burning, dull), whether it's constant or comes in waves, how long it lasts, what makes it better or worse, and a 0–10 score. Use the word bank above if you're stuck.
Should I take a painkiller before seeing the doctor? Ask your doctor or pharmacist first, especially for severe or new pain. Some pain relievers can irritate the stomach. If you do take something, tell the doctor what and when, because it can change how the pain presents.
Is pain that wakes me up at night more serious? Pain that wakes you is worth mentioning specifically. Clinicians ask about it [1], and night-time symptoms are often treated as a warning sign in bowel problems. It doesn't mean something serious is happening, but it shouldn't wait for a routine visit if it's new or recurring.
Sources
- MedlinePlus. Abdominal pain. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003120.htm
- Cleveland Clinic. Abdominal Pain. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/4167-abdominal-pain
- NIDDK. Symptoms & Causes of Appendicitis. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/appendicitis/symptoms-causes
- NIDDK. Symptoms & Causes of Gallstones. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gallstones/symptoms-causes
- Rome Foundation. Rome IV Criteria. https://theromefoundation.org/rome-iv/rome-iv-criteria/
- Jones MP, et al. Gastrointestinal recall questionnaires compare poorly with prospective patient diaries for gastrointestinal symptoms. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30394943/
This article is for general education and isn't medical advice. Get Regular is a tracking app — it doesn't diagnose or treat any condition. If you have red-flag symptoms or ongoing changes in your digestion, talk to a doctor.