Pain in the abdomen may be experienced as aching, stabbing, burning, twisting, cramping, dull, or a gnawing pain. The pain may also be accompanied by other symptoms, such as a feeling of discomfort in the abdomen, bloating, constipation, wind (farting, gas or flatulence), belching (burping), fever, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, fever, dehydration or loss of appetite The pain might be steady or it might get stronger. It can be made worse — or it can be improved — by changes in posture or by coughing. CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the abdominal pain Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help. Describing the pattern and location of your symptoms to a doctor may help them in identifying the cause of your abdominal pain. These causes include: Peptic ulcer — The pain is often felt in the upper abdomen, as a knife-like pain which goes through to the back. Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) — The pain usually causes a central burning pain that develops just under the breastbone, and may rise upwards. It may be accompanied by belching. Appendicitis — The pain usually starts near the navel (belly button) before moving down to the lower right abdomen when it becomes more constant. Gallstones or gallbladder irritation — The pain is felt in the upper right abdomen, back or right shoulder. Lower abdominal pain: Also referred to as ‘lower stomach pain’, it is probably coming from your bowel. Period pain — This is usually a dull, cramping pain, felt low down, which may radiate through to the back. The cause of the pain will affect how long your symptoms will last. Gastroenteritis usually lasts a few days before it clears up. Food poisoning may take a few hours or days to develop and then may last for several days.